Talk to me about Katherine Thomas School

[Anonymous]

Our son (rising 6th) was accepted to the program. He enjoyed the 2-day virtual shadow visit we did, but it’s so hard to get a feel for a place without actually seeing it.

He’d ASD (relatively high functioning) and ADHD.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Where is he currently in school? What is he like academically?

The people I know who are there have a range of diagnoses and a range of social skills, but all are significantly below grade level academically.

[Anonymous]

Excellent school and the two kids I know personally who are there after a miserable time in public are doing so much better. I would leap at the opportunity.

[Anonymous]

My DC is doing great there. Is just below grade level. Their online teaching has been great. DL has been a good opportunity to see how they teach. Just starting to open up to live classes.

Has HFA and ADHD. Language based learning disorder. Lots of supports and teaching specialists. He's very happy there. Loves going to school!

[Anonymous]

My neinghbor attended and was very succuessful there. Much better than in public. She starred in 6th and was significantly behind. She was not able to graduate with a diplomma but her eading and math skills advanced significantly.

I would just want to be sure your child had an appropriate peer group for social and academic growth in his grade.

[Anonymous]

Hi I just saw this threat. I wonder what type of kids are in the school? My son, 8 years old, has ADHD and suspected mild ASD (but might be just severe ADHD with sensor issues). 2 grade levels below in reading and writing, and visual-spatial issues, currently assessed with dyslexia and disgraphia. The school is far from DC, but so it's Diener School and McLean School. Are the school buss or car pooling done from DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi I just saw this threat. I wonder what type of kids are in the school? My son, 8 years old, has ADHD and suspected mild ASD (but might be just severe ADHD with sensor issues). 2 grade levels below in reading and writing, and visual-spatial issues, currently assessed with dyslexia and disgraphia. The school is far from DC, but so it's Diener School and McLean School. Are the school buss or car pooling done from DC?

I would avoid Diener. I don't have personal experience but I've spoken to ed consultant and they just do not have a strong academic program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi I just saw this threat. I wonder what type of kids are in the school? My son, 8 years old, has ADHD and suspected mild ASD (but might be just severe ADHD with sensor issues). 2 grade levels below in reading and writing, and visual-spatial issues, currently assessed with dyslexia and disgraphia. The school is far from DC, but so it's Diener School and McLean School. Are the school buss or car pooling done from DC?

I would avoid Diener. I don't have personal experience but I've spoken to ed consultant and they just do not have a strong academic program.

I mean, a lot of these kids aren’t strong academically, so your point isn’t well taken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi I just saw this threat. I wonder what type of kids are in the school? My son, 8 years old, has ADHD and suspected mild ASD (but might be just severe ADHD with sensor issues). 2 grade levels below in reading and writing, and visual-spatial issues, currently assessed with dyslexia and disgraphia. The school is far from DC, but so it's Diener School and McLean School. Are the school buss or car pooling done from DC?

If you get funding for Katherine Thomas, the district will also provide transportation. But if you're at all considering McLean, then Katherine Thomas isn't appropriate (and vice versa).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi I just saw this threat. I wonder what type of kids are in the school? My son, 8 years old, has ADHD and suspected mild ASD (but might be just severe ADHD with sensor issues). 2 grade levels below in reading and writing, and visual-spatial issues, currently assessed with dyslexia and disgraphia. The school is far from DC, but so it's Diener School and McLean School. Are the school buss or car pooling done from DC?

I would avoid Diener. I don't have personal experience but I've spoken to ed consultant and they just do not have a strong academic program.

I mean, a lot of these kids aren’t strong academically, so your point isn’t well taken.

No, the point is well taken. Having had my child at Diener in the past, I can confirm the weak academic program.

[Anonymous]

I would say you will be working with a pretty much entirely, brand new teaching, specialist and support staff, so it is hard to gauge what it will be like. It was tough during the pandemic and staff turnover was high. communication has not always been great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi I just saw this threat. I wonder what type of kids are in the school? My son, 8 years old, has ADHD and suspected mild ASD (but might be just severe ADHD with sensor issues). 2 grade levels below in reading and writing, and visual-spatial issues, currently assessed with dyslexia and disgraphia. The school is far from DC, but so it's Diener School and McLean School. Are the school buss or car pooling done from DC?

I would avoid Diener. I don't have personal experience but I've spoken to ed consultant and they just do not have a strong academic program.

I mean, a lot of these kids aren’t strong academically, so your point isn’t well taken.

I’m talking about method of instruction and whether they are skilled at scaffolding appropriately to the kids level. This is the opinion of an Ed consultant that I am offering as I said I don’t have personal experience. Please be kind, we are all trying to help each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi I just saw this threat. I wonder what type of kids are in the school? My son, 8 years old, has ADHD and suspected mild ASD (but might be just severe ADHD with sensor issues). 2 grade levels below in reading and writing, and visual-spatial issues, currently assessed with dyslexia and disgraphia. The school is far from DC, but so it's Diener School and McLean School. Are the school buss or car pooling done from DC?

I would avoid Diener. I don't have personal experience but I've spoken to ed consultant and they just do not have a strong academic program.

I mean, a lot of these kids aren’t strong academically, so your point isn’t well taken.

I’m talking about method of instruction and whether they are skilled at scaffolding appropriately to the kids level. This is the opinion of an Ed consultant that I am offering as I said I don’t have personal experience. Please be kind, we are all trying to help each other.

Then be kind about the school. It clearly works for some kids. Don’t come on here with the opinion of an “anonymous Ed consultant” and slam it. That’s just straight up an attack unsupported. We like Diener and it’s met my child where he is academically which is behind. If your child is not academically behind, I doubt you would be considering KTS. It’s a very small school community and the options are limited. Don’t denigrate them on a public forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi I just saw this threat. I wonder what type of kids are in the school? My son, 8 years old, has ADHD and suspected mild ASD (but might be just severe ADHD with sensor issues). 2 grade levels below in reading and writing, and visual-spatial issues, currently assessed with dyslexia and disgraphia. The school is far from DC, but so it's Diener School and McLean School. Are the school buss or car pooling done from DC?

I would avoid Diener. I don't have personal experience but I've spoken to ed consultant and they just do not have a strong academic program.

I mean, a lot of these kids aren’t strong academically, so your point isn’t well taken.

I’m talking about method of instruction and whether they are skilled at scaffolding appropriately to the kids level. This is the opinion of an Ed consultant that I am offering as I said I don’t have personal experience. Please be kind, we are all trying to help each other.

Then be kind about the school. It clearly works for some kids. Don’t come on here with the opinion of an “anonymous Ed consultant” and slam it. That’s just straight up an attack unsupported. We like Diener and it’s met my child where he is academically which is behind. If your child is not academically behind, I doubt you would be considering KTS. It’s a very small school community and the options are limited. Don’t denigrate them on a public forum.

Aren't we choosing schools based on a combination of reputation gathered by people like educational consultants and other parents direct experience? The opinion I shared is from an ed consultant I trust but for obvious reasons I can't share her name.

You are right, the options are limited. Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad it is working for your child.

[Anonymous]

I’d visit and be realistic about your child’s academic and behavioral needs. That’s what we based our decisions on.