Reply to Possible Changes at the Mclean School of MD

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]That is a loaded question and I think it depends on what you mean by a lot of work.  Let me give you an example.  My son is in the 5th grade at McLean and was at best a "C" student in Math at his prior school.  He had a hard time with the homework and always needed help.  At McLean they have taught him how to manage the work and advocate for himself if he does not grasp a concept right away.  He is now a solid "A" student in Math.  The other night he had a Math problems to do.  I had only to ask him once when he was going to do it.  As I was about to ask him, he was reaching for his homework binder.  He took it in the kitchen and worked quietly for an hour.  A couple of times I checked on him to ask how things were going to which he replied "Fine" and if he needed helped to which he responded "No".  It took him an hour but he finished all the problems.  This would have never happened at his old school.  Somehow he has made a complete transformation at McLean and can handle the work.  The Math problems weren't easy, to me, but he took his time and got it done.  The Math teacher has shown me his quizzes and tests where he has gotten "A"s and she confirm DS knows what he is doing.  All I have to say is "hallelujah"!  But, back to your point, PP, McLean teaches the students how to handle the workload whether it is chunking the information or working with them on organization and study skills.  My DS has ADHD and executive functioning issues and he is able to handle the work as I am sure your child would learn to as well.[/quote]

I have a DC who has been at McLean for years and will leave and I think this is an astute observation.  The school has been great for DS but he has outgrown it.  This is not unusual, for a number of kids McLean is a great place to give them what they need to succeed elsewhere.  But it is very small.  I think thats the biggest downside.  After a point there's not a lot of social flexibility and the activities they offer is limited because of the size.  I have seen numerous kids come into McLean and be transformed by the experience, mine included.  And it can set them up to do well elsewhere.

Having said that, I should point out that people rave about the upper school and say its the best part of the school.  [/quote]

I am the PP who wrote about my son's transformation once he started at McLean.  I might add he was not happy about leaving his public school and was very resistant initially to going to McLean.  I agree with the poster above in saying that students can grow out of McLean, which I view as a positive commentary on the work McLean does with students -- that they feel confident enough to return to the public school or another private for high school.  In fact, we anticipate that for our DS.  I can anticipate him getting bored with the small social environment at McLean and wanting something else for high school.  He is also very sports centered -- competitive swimming, basketball and lacrosse.  But, for now, McLean is just what he needs and I am grateful there is a McLean to fill the niche that it does.[/quote]

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