Mann & Hardy for child w/ dysgraphia and ADHD?

[Anonymous]

We are thinking of moving inbounds for Mann and Hardy. Our 3rd grader has dysgraphia (writing LD) and mild-to-moderate ADHD with executive functioning challenges. He is doing fine at the current public charter school with IEP supports and accommodations. Reads above grade, writes below grade, on grade level in math.

Has anyone had experience with the upper grades at Mann, followed by Hardy, for a kid with these types of SN? I am particularly worried about upper elementary and middle school being very hard for a kid without strong executive functioning. It seems to require a lot of organization and some of these kids can fall through the cracks.

[Anonymous]

Don’t do it. They are both terrific schools but not a good fit for your kid imho

[Anonymous]

Thanks for this information. Can you explain more?

[Anonymous]

My DS with a similar profile is at Mann and it’s good. Not right now because of ADHD + DL. But normally Mann is great. However, based on what I here (and not direct experience), I am concerned about Hardy. I think we will probably move into Deal or perhaps go private.

[Anonymous]

^^ hear, not here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS with a similar profile is at Mann and it’s good. Not right now because of ADHD + DL. But normally Mann is great. However, based on what I here (and not direct experience), I am concerned about Hardy. I think we will probably move into Deal or perhaps go private.

Deal is much bigger than Hardy and over crowded. If you think Hardy will be a fail, Deal will definitely be a fail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS with a similar profile is at Mann and it’s good. Not right now because of ADHD + DL. But normally Mann is great. However, based on what I here (and not direct experience), I am concerned about Hardy. I think we will probably move into Deal or perhaps go private.

Deal is much bigger than Hardy and over crowded. If you think Hardy will be a fail, Deal will definitely be a fail.

I’m aware that it’s bigger and more crowded. But there are also differences in style and culture that matter for my child. It’s hard to explain, which is why I didn’t try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS with a similar profile is at Mann and it’s good. Not right now because of ADHD + DL. But normally Mann is great. However, based on what I here (and not direct experience), I am concerned about Hardy. I think we will probably move into Deal or perhaps go private.

Deal is terrible for kids with learning disabilities.

-Been there, done that, now in private

[Anonymous]

Our experience at Mann with a child with ADHD and no IEP was mixed and depended on grade and teacher. More good than bad. Did not try Hardy because it seemed to require a level of independence child did not have. Not a knock on Hardy, just a fit issue.

[Anonymous]

We found Eaton to be really good for our dyslexic/dysgraphic child, but ran away from Deal---would never send an IEP kid to Deal. We went private. If your DC is above-level in reading, then I would really work on their typing skills and learning to use other technology to overcome the dysgraphia. Also look at SOARnc.org in NC for summer options (especially post-pandemic). They run Calleva-type backpacking and other wilderness programs but focused entirely on ADHD/executive functioning kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS with a similar profile is at Mann and it’s good. Not right now because of ADHD + DL. But normally Mann is great. However, based on what I here (and not direct experience), I am concerned about Hardy. I think we will probably move into Deal or perhaps go private.

Deal is much bigger than Hardy and over crowded. If you think Hardy will be a fail, Deal will definitely be a fail.

I’m aware that it’s bigger and more crowded. But there are also differences in style and culture that matter for my child. It’s hard to explain, which is why I didn’t try.

Any chance you could try to explain the culture differences you see? I don't have enough insight into Deal vs. Hardy to know what those differences in style are but they are likely going to be important for my DC's experience.

We are making the same decision between Deal and Hardy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our experience at Mann with a child with ADHD and no IEP was mixed and depended on grade and teacher. More good than bad. Did not try Hardy because it seemed to require a level of independence child did not have. Not a knock on Hardy, just a fit issue.

Where did you send your child if not Hardy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our experience at Mann with a child with ADHD and no IEP was mixed and depended on grade and teacher. More good than bad. Did not try Hardy because it seemed to require a level of independence child did not have. Not a knock on Hardy, just a fit issue.

Where did you send your child if not Hardy?

Private.

[Anonymous]

Kid with ADHD that was at Mann and now at Hardy. Didn't get it diagnosed until was at Hardy and got hit really hard when school started due to workload/organization issues etc., but it has worked out. Workload for bright kid (and not DL) was okay for ADHD kid at Mann who didn't realize why school was hard for them without the diagnosis. Once we got the diagnosis Hardy has been thoughtful about handling. Had to work hard as a parent, but maybe that is standard approach. Did testing ourselves and didn't wait for school to do this and think that documentation helped us. That said, many of the people at Hardy have a good understanding of how ADHD effects executive function and are willing to set up thoughtful 504 plans. They also actually started doing EF training for kids last week on Wed during tutoring times for any kid who wanted to join. We did not get a chance to check it out, but think this is a good sign.

[Anonymous]

When you said deciding between Hardy and Deal, do you mean which school boundary you will buy a house in? I’m confused!