Best private/parochial elementary schools for 2e kids in Montgomery County or DC?
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Salsita12
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Hi,
I'm looking for a good elementary school fit for my 2e DC--ADHD, mostly remediated dyslexia, and gifted (with all that comes with it, including perfectionism). We're looking for a place that offers: - differentiated instruction, with genuine possibilities for acceleration as well as support - an intellectually stimulating environment that actively encourages curiosity/exploration as opposed to rote learning - other quirky kids who are excited about STEM, political issues, history, etc. - meaningful/expert understanding of and support for kids with learning differences DC is currently in a nice but pretty traditional school environment, and is frustrated and bored (we also tried the local public school and it didn't work out). We're supplementing with outside activities to feed DC's interests, but would love to find a better fit. Based on previous posts, it looks like Lowell and Norwood might be good places, so we're exploring those. Would welcome feedback on those schools but also would like additional recommendations/thoughts, including for lower-cost options. We're only looking in Montgomery County or not-too-far parts of DC. Many thanks for your suggestions! |
Anonymous
| You should post on the private school board because your kid doesn’t appear to have any actual support needs. |
Salsita12
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Hi, as I mentioned, my kid has ADHD (including challenges with processing speed and working memory) and dyslexia, and the attendant anxiety/perfectionism. DC is 2e so simultaneously needs acceleration in some areas and extra support in others.
Would appreciate recommendations. Many thanks. |
Anonymous
| What supports are needed? You describe many of my child's friends at gds. |
Salsita12
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DC can get lost in a larger classroom, can struggle with focus if not very interested in the subject. Really avoids writing and reading because they're hard bc of the dyslexia (DC is at grade level in reading, but that's with lots of remediation). Spelling is still a challenge. Gets exhausted with a lot of reading/writing/rote work.
Specifically on supports: We're looking for differentiated and more personalized instruction that understands and caters to DC's interests/strengths while also taking into account and being sensitive to their EF and reading/writing challenges and perfectionism/anxiety. And of course, the usual accommodations (extra time, speech-to-text, etc). Does that make sense? I've cross-posted on private schools forum anyway, but figured this forum would have more ppl familiar with the particular 2e profile. |
Anonymous
| What grade? And what about the current school is too frustrating? Progressive schools offer more exciting projects and more flexibility but tend to be mediocre at support. |
Anonymous
They also tend IME to let kids avoid or do less non preferred work. This is great if your child is maxed out and just can’t handle more, and but less great in areas of weakness. When your child is older, Fusion could be a possibility. |
Salsita12
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| 3rd grade. DC is bored and feels not challenged/stimulated. There's minimal differentiation. |
Anonymous
If the situation is otherwise okay, it may improve on its own and get more academic in upper elementary. Fourth and fifth were good years for my 2E kid—school became more academic (content rather than learning to learn) without the social problems of middle school. I don’t know if you are going to find much differentiation at the upper elementary level, beyond math classes, at any school. |
Anonymous
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We've known kids like yours at Feyman, Green Acres.
If you are willing to deal with teachers who will provide less support and are less understanding than the already mentioned schools many of the highly competitive privates would work as all of them have LD specialists including Sidwell, GDS, Landon etc. |
Anonymous
| Oneness school since it's a Montessori? Very understanding teachers |
Anonymous
Fusion is a last resort when a child can't do mainstream. I disagree with this advice. |
Anonymous
| Honestly, I think you're looking for a unicorn. In my experience (as a teacher and parent), schools don't differentiate well (especially in elementary) and schools that can be good for ADHD aren't necessarily good for dyslexia (and vice versa). This is why there are so many 2e kids in the homeschool community. |
Anonymous
| Have you looked at Feynman School? Definitely worth exploring for this profile. |
Anonymous
| PP here, also, I would spend 2-3 hrs worth of fees to talk to an educational consultant who might be able to give other suggestions. |