Armstrong Elementary Reston

[Anonymous]

My current school suggested my child be transferred to the Armstrong Special Education program. Does anyone have any experience with this program?

[Anonymous]

If your child goes there you need to be very clear about what the educational program is going to involve. That program has a history of out of control classrooms with little learning and low expectations for kids. Have you done everything privately you could? Therapy, mess, tutoring, family counseling, in-home counseling? Ask to observe for more than a few minutes. Ask for current parents who can talk to you. Look at test scores online at VA Dept of Ed. If your child truly can't survive in the current placement or is not safe, that's one thing. But be sure all supports at current school have been exhausted. Has there been an IEP with weekly counseling, a point sheet, built in breaks, opportunities for movement, small group instruction, social skill groups? This special ed center should be a last resort. It has a poor reputation.

[Anonymous]

OP are you talking about the ED center? The families I know who are there are very happy.

AES is a very good school with strong leadership.

[Anonymous]

OP, if the IEP team is discussing a change in placement to the Comprehensive Services Site at Armstrong, you’ll get to tour it beforehand. Your child would be in a smaller class and have ready access to more clinical support staff such as the psychologist.