McLean School of Maryland

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who doesn't get into McLean?

Kids with behavior problems and kids with learning issues too serious for the school to address.

[Anonymous]

When you say "learning issues too serious for the school to address", what do you mean? You can understand behavior issues but hard to define learning issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you say "learning issues too serious for the school to address", what do you mean? You can understand behavior issues but hard to define learning issues.

This may help

http://www.labschool.org/podium/default.aspx?t=137310

[Anonymous]

I don't find the Lab very distinguishable from McLean if linking to literature from the website was for that purpose. In fact, it was interesting McLean invited Martha Denckla, PhD, a renowned neuropsychologist, to talk about learning disabilities. The discussion was widely publicized. I interpreted that to mean McLean addresses not only children with "different learning styles" but children with actual learning disabilities.

[Anonymous]

I agree. As an outsider I don't see anything in the literature of either school that distinguishes one from the other and, in fact, Lab has become much more progressive over the past 5 years in terms of a college prep program for students with learning differences, which seems, I would think, to compete with the kinds of students McLean wants to attract. I think this is a positive as there are not many schools that provide these kinds of supports and prepare students for college.

[Anonymous]

Actually I think Lab is much more renowned than McLean in working successfully for years with students who have learning differences or disabilities. The PP who provided the link to Lab seems misguided and misinformed.

[Anonymous]

McLean will not take kids who are more than a year or two below grade level in a subject. They will not take kids with multiple areas of disability (say ADHD and language impairment and dyslexia). Lab will take those kids.

In the classroom, McLean teaches in relatively traditional ways, but with lots of individualized accommodations and some varied approaches. Lab uses multisensory approaches to teach pretty much all subject matter - lots of art, drama, music - look for information about their club system.

Both school want kids of at least average intelligence who are (hopefully) college bound.

[Anonymous]

I know of kids who have left McLean for Lab because their needs were too great for McLean. The schools are very different. I don't think there is a definitive answer to "what needs are too great." You would have to speak with the folks in admission. But PP is right that multiple LDs and being substantially below grade level would do it.

[Anonymous]

I'm not the PP that asked the "needs too great" question but just curious how they would know the grade level behind a child is or the needs are too great. They don't seem to do admissions testing.

[Anonymous]

...sorry, I meant multiple disabilities. Some disabilities may not be apparent immediately or may be mild but multiple.

[Anonymous]

Also, just because a child may be a grade level or two behind does not mean they can't get caught up if they don't have severe cognitive challenges.

[Anonymous]

Each student at Lab has an extensive IEP and each student gets and individualized curriculum, if needed, in every single class. This is not how McLean operates. McLean, correct me if I'm wrong, provides a standard curriculum that is adapted so that in general it will meet the needs of kids with more common learning differences.

The Lab link a PP provided was for a definition of learning disabilities, which someone said were hard to define.

Lab is only for kids with learning disabilities. McLean is for mainstream learners and kids with learning disabilities..

[Anonymous]

Then why does McLean design a student learning profile for each student that is almost identical to a 504 Plan? It sounds like they work with students who have varying degrees of learning disabilities.

[Anonymous]

Lab School pioneered the concept of using art as a gateway to learning...a springboard to help students manage their learning disabilities and master challenging academics. But that's just the beginning! In our classrooms, laboratories, and studios, on our stage and on the playing field, every aspect of The Lab School program is tailored to unlocking every student's unique talent, cultivating their gifts, fostering self-confidence, bolstering social skills, and preparing them for success in college and beyond.

Every Lab School student benefits from one-on-one evaluations and academic strategies that are individualized to his or her needs. Your child’s learning differences may require specific related services to further enhance academic success.

Clinical related services such as Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language and Psychological Services are provided in individual and small group sessions as well as within the classroom setting. The vast majority of our students do receive some sort of clinical related service intervention. By embedding this support into our program, and making these options an integral part of what Lab School offers, we assure that students get the help they need, when they need it. These integrated clinical services also help preserve valuable after-school and weekend hours for hobbies, sports and relaxation.

[Anonymous]

From McLean:

Flexible programs with multiple learning modalities help all students reach new levels of achievement.

Small classes enable teachers to support every student with individual attention.

A broad curriculum develops self-confidence and learning through the arts, physical education and computer technology, as well as the essential academics.

A nurturing community of students and faculty values and cultivates different learning styles and types of intelligence.

Every experience prepares graduates for the challenges and excitement of college and beyond.


We are constantly reminded that there is no one way to teach — or one way to learn.

Across grades and subjects, students frequently move between different points on the continuum of learning. McLean maintains the flexibility to address the specific needs and learning styles of every student at every step.

Our curriculum challenges students to think in new ways, utilize their senses and discover fresh paths to knowledge and understanding. We also encourage our teachers to use innovative methods to make an impression. Our goal: keep students engaged and moving ever forward toward higher goals.


Lenore and Delbert Foster established and headed McLean School in 1954. Their mission: to provide a unique environment for learning that would serve the needs and gifts of all kinds of students.

After the Fosters retired in 1978, a group of parents, faculty and staff formed a non-profit corporation for McLean School and relocated to the present Lochinver Lane campus in Potomac, Maryland.