Following this.

We are having this same discussion right now.

Child is rising 8th grade and we are considering applying and going through tours for Catholic or independent schools for next year 9th grade. Currently at public.

Child has adhd but no behavioral issues, slow processing at times, speech challenges, lacks confidence, athletic and socially challenging at times, doesn’t always make many friends. Loves art

Athletic and enjoys playing 2-3 sports. Does this sound like a fit for DeMatha (doesn’t seem like they could play more than 1 sports and not sure they would even make the team)or I am better off going to an independent school?

I welcome any experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have found great success at O'Connell. DC has dyslexia, ADHD and Anxiety. DC is enrolled in the learning center and it has been really helpful. Even if they didn't advocate for DC (which they do -- we have been happy when accommodations we didn't ask for have been added), the focused learning time where the learning center teachers push the kids to be looking at their class assignments, late & missing assignments, upcoming tests and projects, etc has been really valuable. DC's grades are better than ever, including making First & Second Honors lists.

+1 We've also had success at O'Connell with a DC with dyslexia and ADHD. The Muller Center is fine, not as hand's on as DC's prior K-8 school though. If enrolled in the Muller Center, your child will not take a language the first year (unless they want to do so) and will go to the Muller Center instead.

Any experience with DeMatha? I heard they have a similar learning center.

Anonymous wrote:We have found great success at O'Connell. DC has dyslexia, ADHD and Anxiety. DC is enrolled in the learning center and it has been really helpful. Even if they didn't advocate for DC (which they do -- we have been happy when accommodations we didn't ask for have been added), the focused learning time where the learning center teachers push the kids to be looking at their class assignments, late & missing assignments, upcoming tests and projects, etc has been really valuable. DC's grades are better than ever, including making First & Second Honors lists.

+1 We've also had success at O'Connell with a DC with dyslexia and ADHD. The Muller Center is fine, not as hand's on as DC's prior K-8 school though. If enrolled in the Muller Center, your child will not take a language the first year (unless they want to do so) and will go to the Muller Center instead.

Can anyone share information on their experience at the McLean School? We considered it when DC was entering middle school, but opted for a mainstream K - 8 private with tutoring. We also knew that it would always be an option for high school.

We have found great success at O'Connell. DC has dyslexia, ADHD and Anxiety. DC is enrolled in the learning center and it has been really helpful. Even if they didn't advocate for DC (which they do -- we have been happy when accommodations we didn't ask for have been added), the focused learning time where the learning center teachers push the kids to be looking at their class assignments, late & missing assignments, upcoming tests and projects, etc has been really valuable. DC's grades are better than ever, including making First & Second Honors lists.

Op, what kinds of support does your child need?

I have a DC with dyslexia, ADHD, and dysgraphia at a mainstream independent k-8 and they are very explicitly teaching executive function skills. I am really pleased with how DC is learning how to write down homework assignments, taught note taking, study methods, etc. We will support at home, but the school is teaching the skills.

DC’s dyslexia is mild so DC is able to manage school work, although we anticipate excusing from foreign language requirement in high school.

DC is a motivated student who currently mostly needs extra time on standardized tests. The small size of the school and study hall in middle school allows DC to catch up with teachers or get extra help as needed. We anticipate doing mainstream independent school for high school - Bullis is definitely on our list, as we have friends with kids there with ADHD who are doing well. We are not looking at Catholic schools (and we are Catholic) because the k-8 schools came across as being more rigid when we were looking for K, and we aren’t looking for high school either.