A consultant told us stigma is not an issue. In fact, she said a number of schools really like high achievers from McLean. The idea seemed to be that kids gain self-awareness, skills and self-advocacy tools there that serve them well whenever they leave.

As parents of kids with learning differences, I think we have to be careful not to handicap them with our own biases and misperceptions. The right school environment can make a big difference in how kids view themselves and their own abilities.

You need to get over this idea that putting your DC in the right school for him creates some kind of stigma. It doesn't.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If McLean is supposed to be so great, why do they leave?

Child has grown enough to not need as much support, family can't afford private for more than a few years, family only intended it to be a few crucial years...

For your insight. I'm considering accepting admission. I am a thinking person. I do not do things without forward thought. I do not know that my child will continue to benefit from this environment long term. If dc is ready to depart I'm concerned mildly about school name stigma. Hope this helps you.

That's interesting. I have not heard anyone who was concerned about a stigma after leaving McLean. In fact, I have heard positive comments when I tell anyone, even from a "Big 3" school, that my child is at McLean. And, most kids leaving McLean have no problem transitioning to another private or public after McLean.

My DD left McLean for public at 6th. She thrived at McLean in terms of academics. In time though, we both ran out of $s and she outgrew the peer group in Middle School (which starts at 5th at McLean). She did very well in a large public middle school and loved it though it was a little tough for her to find her bearings at first knowing so few kids in the new school. She is now in large public HS taking honors and AP classes. Keeping up with the work load in HS is more challenging for her, but with tutoring support she is doing well. At times, I have missed the level of support that was built in at McLean. I've had to do quite a bit of advocating each year in public, and not all teachers are equally able to follow her accommodations, but its working academically and she is happy in the school community, which is really great.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If McLean is supposed to be so great, why do they leave?

Child has grown enough to not need as much support, family can't afford private for more than a few years, family only intended it to be a few crucial years...

For your insight. I'm considering accepting admission. I am a thinking person. I do not do things without forward thought. I do not know that my child will continue to benefit from this environment long term. If dc is ready to depart I'm concerned mildly about school name stigma. Hope this helps you.

we left Mclean when DS was going into MS. Depends on where you see your DC going after Mclean. We went public so it was not an issue and many of the transfers seem to be for MS or for 9th grade. The reach for HS may be the more rigorous privates like a Sidwell or St Albans. Doesn't seem that would fit for most kids leaving mclean.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If McLean is supposed to be so great, why do they leave?

Child has grown enough to not need as much support, family can't afford private for more than a few years, family only intended it to be a few crucial years...

For your insight. I'm considering accepting admission. I am a thinking person. I do not do things without forward thought. I do not know that my child will continue to benefit from this environment long term. If dc is ready to depart I'm concerned mildly about school name stigma. Hope this helps you.

Anonymous wrote:If McLean is supposed to be so great, why do they leave?

Child has grown enough to not need as much support, family can't afford private for more than a few years, family only intended it to be a few crucial years...

McLean's high school is small and some kids find it socially limiting. Also, for keeping kids who are really into sports, at the HS level, McLean is limiting although they have a new AD who is trying to build an athletic program to help with retention,

If McLean is supposed to be so great, why do they leave?

FCPS with an IEP.

I know a student who left McLean in 10th grade for St. John's College HS and is doing very well.

Anonymous wrote:Bullis, St Andrews and Landon are some if the schools kids have gone to.

Our student guide at St. Andrews was a very well-spoken girl who had done elementary school at McLean. Very bright with dyslexia.

Bullis, St Andrews and Landon are some if the schools kids have gone to.

The school can also tell you this info.

Do you have or know of kids who have left McLean and gone to mainstream private? If so. What schools? Thx