It isn't just the school. It is also the flavor of the particular grade. I have two DC's. Both went to the same ES. One had the "mean" class and had such a bad experience we moved him to a different as he was at the bottom of the social ladder and was ostracized. The aides at they school never wanted that class as is rose through the school. Two years later DC's class was the "nice class". THe children really included everyone. The one all the aides wanted. There was about 25% overlap of similar gene pool and parents. Both DC's had the same teachers through 3rd grade and most of the same teacher for 4th and 5th and same school administration. So sometimes it is dumb luck.

Plus, I have heard high praises from one particular Special Ed teacher who specialized in ASD and at the same time I know a few families that moved their child because she was not a good fit for their DC.

FInd the three or four neighborhood you would like to live. Then go to the schools. Talk to the Principals, Special ed teachers, aides. Look around. Get a feel.

A school can, on paper, have wonderful services for SN kids. But it depends on the classroom and the teacher. I would observe the classroom that your child is intended to go to and see the experience level of the teacher. Ultimately the particular classroom will make or break your child's experience.

Anonymous wrote:There are several schools in Tysons area you can try. There's Freedom Hill, which has a nice SPED. Then there are Westbriar, Wolftrap, and Westgate. Timber Lane has a SPED.

How's your DDs academics? If she's in any immersion programs and AAP, I would look at magnet schools too.

What are you talking about? Every single school in FCPS has special education services. It's called FAPE--Free and Appropriate Education. Some schools have special programs that provide a more restricted environment for students, but ALL schools provide special education services for those who qualify.

Fairfax county AAP starts in third grade and once you get the neuropsych eval results which will include WISC scores, AAP maybe a possibility. I have heard AAP accommodates Aspies well but no first hand experience.

There are several schools in Tysons area you can try. There's Freedom Hill, which has a nice SPED. Then there are Westbriar, Wolftrap, and Westgate. Timber Lane has a SPED.

How's your DDs academics? If she's in any immersion programs and AAP, I would look at magnet schools too.

Anonymous wrote:But River Road and Tyson's are hardly next to each other--miles and miles apart, really.

I'm guessing that OP lives in MD near River Road and commutes to Tysons.

But River Road and Tyson's are hardly next to each other--miles and miles apart, really.

I would look for a school that has a Responsive Classroom approach. There are many schools in Fairfax and Arlington County that are RC schools.

I posted earlier looking for private school suggestions for my dd, but now I'm thinking I should look at public schools too. Our local school I know is no good. I'm open to moving for the right school. As I said in my other post, dd has some significant social deficits -- without much adult support will essentially ignore the other kids -- but seems to do fine academically.

What are some elementary schools that will support this? I think she'd need support paying attention in large groups and not self-isolating during lunch, recess, and other unstructured times. Geographically, anywhere along River Road in Maryland or within a reasonable commute of Tyson's in Virginia.

Thanks!