MS options SCMS/private?

[Anonymous]

We're moving to the Silver Creek MS neighborhood when DS will be entering 6th grade. He is super bright and very impulsive. He started meds a couple of years ago (multiple Dr who are conservative about recommending meds agreed he was a prime case and it was life changing for him) and it has helped to get his academic performance closer to his intellectual capacity (not just parental insight, we had extensive testing done). Our older child, DD will go to B-CC, I envision that DS will go there for HS.

Is Silver Creek a good place for a bright but active ADHD kid (socially and academically)? I am wondering if he would do better in a private with smaller classes where his behavior won't be generalized to represent character (he is a sweetheart - genuine and caring) for MS and then switch to public for HS.

Anyone with experience at SCMS in a similar situation?

[Anonymous]

Bump.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm guessing that the answer is: it depends on the particular private school. Some private schools he might do better in, some private schools he would do worse in. You would look for private schools that specifically build around learning differences, right?

[Anonymous]

Actually, if his behavior is still too impulsive, even with meds, he probably needs either another med check or executive function tutoring. In my experience at very similar MS, behavior was not an issue — there will be kids with more severe issues. However, at a small private, behavior is an issue - more detentions, silent lunches, poor behavior / effort grades on report cards, etc. Don’t mistake small class size for suddenly improved behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, if his behavior is still too impulsive, even with meds, he probably needs either another med check or executive function tutoring. In my experience at very similar MS, behavior was not an issue — there will be kids with more severe issues. However, at a small private, behavior is an issue - more detentions, silent lunches, poor behavior / effort grades on report cards, etc. Don’t mistake small class size for suddenly improved behavior.

Thanks for the reply. I actually was thinking the small class size would let the teachers get to know him and so would recognize tapping a pencil as an impulse vs. a misbehavior. Not major misbehaviors going on, just active boy stuff. He's got a good heart and I'm worried it won't be seen in a larger crowd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, if his behavior is still too impulsive, even with meds, he probably needs either another med check or executive function tutoring. In my experience at very similar MS, behavior was not an issue — there will be kids with more severe issues. However, at a small private, behavior is an issue - more detentions, silent lunches, poor behavior / effort grades on report cards, etc. Don’t mistake small class size for suddenly improved behavior.

Thanks for the reply. I actually was thinking the small class size would let the teachers get to know him and so would recognize tapping a pencil as an impulse vs. a misbehavior. Not major misbehaviors going on, just active boy stuff. He's got a good heart and I'm worried it won't be seen in a larger crowd.

Pencil tapping doesn’t stop being a distraction to the other 14 students just because your teacher recognizes it’s your ADHD and not defiance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, if his behavior is still too impulsive, even with meds, he probably needs either another med check or executive function tutoring. In my experience at very similar MS, behavior was not an issue — there will be kids with more severe issues. However, at a small private, behavior is an issue - more detentions, silent lunches, poor behavior / effort grades on report cards, etc. Don’t mistake small class size for suddenly improved behavior.

Thanks for the reply. I actually was thinking the small class size would let the teachers get to know him and so would recognize tapping a pencil as an impulse vs. a misbehavior. Not major misbehaviors going on, just active boy stuff. He's got a good heart and I'm worried it won't be seen in a larger crowd.

Wouldn't he have a 504 or an IEP?

[Anonymous]

Make an appointment to talk to Dr. Townsend at Silver Creek and see what you think. I’ve found her to be very accessible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, if his behavior is still too impulsive, even with meds, he probably needs either another med check or executive function tutoring. In my experience at very similar MS, behavior was not an issue — there will be kids with more severe issues. However, at a small private, behavior is an issue - more detentions, silent lunches, poor behavior / effort grades on report cards, etc. Don’t mistake small class size for suddenly improved behavior.

Thanks for the reply. I actually was thinking the small class size would let the teachers get to know him and so would recognize tapping a pencil as an impulse vs. a misbehavior. Not major misbehaviors going on, just active boy stuff. He's got a good heart and I'm worried it won't be seen in a larger crowd.

I hate when parents claim their child's behavior or medical issue is just "active boy stuff". It's not. There are plenty of boys who can sit in a class without impulsive behavior. If your child has an identified medical problem, own it and work on treating it. Don't chalk it up to "active boy stuff."

[Anonymous]

This is anecdote only as we don't have a child enrolled there, but we do have a number of friends with children who meet the profile of your son who have been very happy with Silver Creek. They found the resources to be terrific for their children. We also know of at least one family who left private for SCMS because the supports were stronger than they could get in a small private setting. In addition to reaching out to Dr. Townsend, see if you can get an appointment with a member of their counseling/education management team to see what they can offer for your son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, if his behavior is still too impulsive, even with meds, he probably needs either another med check or executive function tutoring. In my experience at very similar MS, behavior was not an issue — there will be kids with more severe issues. However, at a small private, behavior is an issue - more detentions, silent lunches, poor behavior / effort grades on report cards, etc. Don’t mistake small class size for suddenly improved behavior.

Thanks for the reply. I actually was thinking the small class size would let the teachers get to know him and so would recognize tapping a pencil as an impulse vs. a misbehavior. Not major misbehaviors going on, just active boy stuff. He's got a good heart and I'm worried it won't be seen in a larger crowd.

I hate when parents claim their child's behavior or medical issue is just "active boy stuff". It's not. There are plenty of boys who can sit in a class without impulsive behavior. If your child has an identified medical problem, own it and work on treating it. Don't chalk it up to "active boy stuff."

Did you read the part of that he’s on medication and they’re addressing it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is anecdote only as we don't have a child enrolled there, but we do have a number of friends with children who meet the profile of your son who have been very happy with Silver Creek. They found the resources to be terrific for their children. We also know of at least one family who left private for SCMS because the supports were stronger than they could get in a small private setting. In addition to reaching out to Dr. Townsend, see if you can get an appointment with a member of their counseling/education management team to see what they can offer for your son.

Thank you - this is OP back again - this is a really helpful answer. I appreciate it. He is a well-liked kid at school and does not disrupt the learning environment for others and I we are hoping to find a positive environment for him when we move.

[Anonymous]

Truthfully, public middle schools are best for kids who are able to sit still and listen for 45 minutes at a time. Yes, students who can’t do that can have IEPs and 504s but ultimately a private school dedicated to students with learning differences with small class sizes will be significantly better than public school with accommodations. If your kid has ADHD or any other learning disability and you can afford private, do it.