School question: Phillips Fairfax or Forbush Prince George’s County?

[Anonymous]

Anyone have any experiences, good or bad, with Phillips Fairfax or Forbush Prince George’s County?

I’ve searched the archives and there’s good info but I’m looking for more recent info. Child is ASD.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I know it is so hard to get info about these schools when you are considering them. My ds went to Oak Valley in the same building before Phillips took over. It really was an issue how there was no outdoor space. Or much daylight in the building. They claimed on the tour that they went down the street to a playground every day but in reality it rarely happened. They also were supposed to play very quietly in the gym area because the sound carried loudly into the classrooms. It was a crappy facility.

Phillips is a much more reputable program so you might not have the same issues. There was a nice article in the Post last week about a cooking challenge there-not sure which campusl.
Probably not Fairfax b/c there wasn't really a cafeteria or cooking area but it did show some energy and creativity from the teachers.

I don't know if any of the former administrators or teachers are still there now that it is Phillips. The Oak Valley staff was very unimpressive.

[Anonymous]

Where do you live, OP? Is the school pushing private placement at these?

[Anonymous]

I would look at Alternate Paths in Alexandria. They have a lot of ASD kids and its a year round program.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the replies!

The cooking thing was at the Annandale Phillips campus
I’m pretty sure but we did really like the staff people that we met.

We’re in DC, working with OSSE. The other schools that were in play were Ivymount (no openings in the grade we need), Katherine Thomas (rejected our kid), and KK in Silver Spring (haven’t heard what the status is there).

It’s so hard to know which program would be best for our kid. We also don’t know which track - certificate or diploma. Our kid is sort of right between. If anyone has insights into that question - I’m all ears! TIA