CA is actually a SN school. McLean is not, but more inclusive than most privates.

Depending on the severity of your kid's learning issues, CA might be a better choice. (We are at a school that is specially SN and don't regret it.)

I would apply to both if you think your kid could go to either.

Some of these responses are very odd. This is a perfectly good question.

I have a DS at McLean but have no direct experience with CA. McLean is a mainstream school that is open to kids with minor learning differences. Its population is basically kids who are right on the cusp of a fully mainstream school but still need some supports. It is highly individualized -- they really seem to try to figure out what each kid needs to learn. Its very structured and they don't tolerate behavior problems. The downsides are that its so small that they don;t offer a lot of activities that other schools can and I think the curriculum, while accessible, is pretty boring. I am grateful for McLean and what it has given my DS but I don't think we will be there all the way through 12th grade. For the kids for whom its a fit, its a great fit.

My sense of CA is that it is further toward the end of a special ed school. Hopefully someone with more direct experience can chime in,

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the best thing to do is find actual parents who are at the schools and talk to them. Ask people you know if they know anyone and hopefully you can find a connection.

Don't you think that's what OP is doing by posting here??

Yes...but this is an anonymous message board. I posted here when I was looking at schools. While the feedback was helpful, I really had no idea who I was "hearing" from and if they cared about what I care about. You can really get that in a meeting or even a phone conversation. Who knows if the people posting on DCUM really have a kid at the school? When dealing with something like a school decision, I do put more credibility on people in the "real world" than "DCUM world".

I would absolutely follow up on information found here without taking as "gospel", but sometimes a post can lead you to ask questions you wouldn't have thought to ask otherwise. I don't fault a poster for looking for many sources of information. If a poster says something like "X school only have PE one year in HS, whereas Y school has it all 4 years" or "X school's students complete internships one day a week for all 4 years of high school, whereas in Y school they don't start until Jr. year", or "Z school has whole group OT once a week in K - 2nd, and all parents are billed for it", it might lead you to ask about PE, or internships, or whether or not parents pay for group OT, when you might not otherwise have thought to do so.

OP, I have no thoughts on the specific schools you mentioned as my experience is with other schools, but just wanted to say that I think that this is a great forum to ask questions, even if it's not your only forum.

16:49/17:26 again. Keep in mind that once your dc has gotten admitted there will be all sorts of "meets and greets" . Both of you will have much more opportunity to determine which school is a fit for you. Good luck.

My general impression would be that the LDs of students at Commonwealth are significantly more serious in general than the LDs of the students at McLean (or, at least that was the case 6 or 7 years ago).

But, sounds like you could benefit from a meeting with a good educational consultant.

We applied to CA a few years ago. What stopped us from enrolling was the director. When I had questions about their curriculum, she seemed very defensive and I got really bad vibes from her. Just my experience for what it's worth. I don't know anything about McLean.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It is really hard to get a true sense of a school from a 1 hour tour. I am seeking an honest opinion. Please

People generally have expereince with one school. So,it is difficult for them to compare it to a different school.

From your post, I take it that you have toured both schools and so far you haven't seen anything the "wows" you or makes you cross it off your list. What do you like about each school and what are some of the things that niggled you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the best thing to do is find actual parents who are at the schools and talk to them. Ask people you know if they know anyone and hopefully you can find a connection.

Don't you think that's what OP is doing by posting here??

Yes...but this is an anonymous message board. I posted here when I was looking at schools. While the feedback was helpful, I really had no idea who I was "hearing" from and if they cared about what I care about. You can really get that in a meeting or even a phone conversation. Who knows if the people posting on DCUM really have a kid at the school? When dealing with something like a school decision, I do put more credibility on people in the "real world" than "DCUM world".

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the best thing to do is find actual parents who are at the schools and talk to them. Ask people you know if they know anyone and hopefully you can find a connection.

Don't you think that's what OP is doing by posting here??

Honestly, the best thing to do is find actual parents who are at the schools and talk to them. Ask people you know if they know anyone and hopefully you can find a connection.

OP here. It is really hard to get a true sense of a school from a 1 hour tour. I am seeking an honest opinion. Please

It really depends on the child. You, aas the parent, are the "expert" in your child. Go visit both schools and see how they feel to you and if you think one or the other wopuld work for your child.

I was all set to send my DC to private when we had trouble with his local public school. Then looked around and went on a few site visits and none really fit my DC.

nice PP....

Go to the websites. Good source of information.

How does the MCLEAN school compare to the Commonwealth academy?