The new HOS at McLean School came to the school with years of experiencing at other Independent Schools and the Lower School Head at McLean has been there for over 20 years. My son attended McLean with Dyslexia and ADHD and is now a Sophomore in college and thriving. The support he received in reading and EF skills was fantastic. Of my 4 kids he was by far the best prepared for college. The other 3 kids went to larger more "traditional" school in the area.

Anonymous wrote:Op- they seem like they’ll work with us but I just have a sinking feeling about the whole thing and I don’t know what to do next

1. Clarify to yourself and to McLean what you are asking for.
2. Give them a chance. Then follow up.
2. It's application season. Apply out as a backup.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He’s just getting frustrated with a certain subject and so he goes to counselor bc he can’t always calm himself down. At the same time he’s not disruptive, violent etc. he’s just stuck and can’t seem to get out of it sometimes

If he is getting frustrated with a certain subject, I wonder if he would benefit from after school enrichment in that subject. If he feels more confident about this subject he may no longer be frustrated at school.

This is a good idea.

Anonymous wrote:He’s just getting frustrated with a certain subject and so he goes to counselor bc he can’t always calm himself down. At the same time he’s not disruptive, violent etc. he’s just stuck and can’t seem to get out of it sometimes

If he is getting frustrated with a certain subject, I wonder if he would benefit from after school enrichment in that subject. If he feels more confident about this subject he may no longer be frustrated at school.

So is he struggling emotionally and the admin isn’t willing to work with you (first post), or is he getting frustrated with just one class and they are willing to work with you, you’re just nervous and unsure of what to do (follow up posts)?

If the latter, listen to them. Talk to them. They may have suggestions of things to try - possibly more than one approach, so that if something doesn’t work, try something else. As you’ve posted more, it seems more like this is an anxious parent thing (totally understandable, but you have to be willing to work through the process) vs a school that’s stonewalling or unable to meet your child’s needs.

By all means, explore other school options, but also explore options for addressing the issue with your current school, as it sounds like it’s a very defined issue and one they are actually open to trying to solve with you.

He’s just getting frustrated with a certain subject and so he goes to counselor bc he can’t always calm himself down. At the same time he’s not disruptive, violent etc. he’s just stuck and can’t seem to get out of it sometimes

If school is saying they can work with you, take them up on it and cover your bases by applying elsewhere at the same time. If you can provide us with more specifics I’m sure people will have some ideas for schools to look at. In my personal experience it helps to have control over some element of the issue (whatever it is we are struggling with) and pursuing outside options might help you feel a little less stuck if you aren’t able to resolve the problem at/with McLean.

I know this is really emotionally tough right now, but you will get through this. Hang in there and good luck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op- they seem like they’ll work with us but I just have a sinking feeling about the whole thing and I don’t know what to do next

Maybe you should take them up on it and see what happens?

+1. Meanwhile start looking at the privates that might be better able to help your child. If you give us the diagnosis and problems your child is having we might be able to suggest some schools. We were at the McLean school for three years. First two were great, third year not so much. Meanwhile, we decided we just could not keep paying the tuition there and DC didn't seem to be getting the assistance they needed. We ultimately went public in FCPS with an IEP and that worked out well.

Anonymous wrote:Op- they seem like they’ll work with us but I just have a sinking feeling about the whole thing and I don’t know what to do next

Maybe you should take them up on it and see what happens?