Where do students of Kensington Parkwood Elementary move on to, local public or private? The school sounds like it has a great inclusion program but only going to grade 5 Is not ideal for us.

Any kind of motoric need -- I would not recommend Lowell, whose campus is not ADA complaint. All those steps would be a disaster for any child with movement issues. I am a Lowell alumna who hoped to see DD there, but with cerebral palsy there was no chance of that.

You should look at The Heights.

My son's main areas of support are with organization, staying on task and help with composing written work in a logical and sequential format. He does not have disruptive behaviors as such except that he can distract others if he becomes distracted. He is a caring, sensitive boy who can make friends especially with those who share his strong interests like Lego, Star Wars, Super Heroes etc. He is currently coping in a mainstream classroom with a few hours a week help from the resource teacher and being able to work in small groups for some tasks. His current class size is 30 which is not helpful for him or the teacher when he needs prompting which is why I really would like a smaller class for him to be able to concentrate and receive support in as workloads increase.

In the the Great Falls/McLean area, the public elementary schools that work well and have experience with inclusion of HFA are Churchill Road and Chesterbrook. The Principal at Chesterbrook has a child with ASD. However, you will give up walkability.

Mclean would probably not be a good fit for your child who likes sports. Its difficult to tell from your post if your oldest child has needs that are too great for McLean. Its a small school so its really a good fit for a specific, narrow band of kids.

Great! I look forward to exploring & thanks for sharing everyone.

I don't know abour Down To Earth, but the areas around Bethesda El hit evetything else on your list. Super walkable, safe, metro, close to the DC line . . .

Pricey though.

All I want is an affordable, safe, down to earth,friendly, walkable neighborhood with a school that can give both my boys a great education, close proximity to public transport and a commute into DC less than 45mins is that asking too much, ha ha anyone know this nirvana??????

I have not heard good things about Westbrook and special needs. Kensington is another area you should look into OP. You might try calling Holy Redeemer if you don't mind Catholic school. I know someone whose child has AS and they felt they were caring and supportive. That area is very family friendly. People like the public school there too: Kensington-Parkwood.

True, all good options to consider.

Anonymous wrote:Many thanks everyone, obviously I will need to talk to schools individually but you have given me a starting point. PP 21:23 a family orientated area is important for us you are right, the areas I mentioned are where my husband has work colleagues and were recommended to us as safe areas for families but if you have any suggestions for other more suitable areas I would be most appreciative. It is so hard when just searching on the net and not knowing the feel of an area.

If you decide to go public, the BCC cluster is often considered to be one of the strongest for inclusion, but not all the elementary schools are even. I'd look particularly at Bethesda, Westbrook, and Somerset in that order. If you were living in that area, you could also look at St. Andrew's, McLean, and Lowell, some of the more flexible and forgiving private schools.

I hear your concern on transitioning your older child, but keep in mind that transitioning with all his friends isn't quite the same as a private school ending and a child going someplace where he doesn't know anyone.

Anonymous wrote:OP, you may also want to look for schools that are close geographically.

McLean, Diener, and Bullis are all relatively close. The first two schools might accept both of your sons. I'm not sure about Bullis for an HFA kid.

Diener only serves students with disabilities, and it ends at 6th. It would require her older child to be separated from his brother, and to change schools in a year and a half.

Many thanks everyone, obviously I will need to talk to schools individually but you have given me a starting point. PP 21:23 a family orientated area is important for us you are right, the areas I mentioned are where my husband has work colleagues and were recommended to us as safe areas for families but if you have any suggestions for other more suitable areas I would be most appreciative. It is so hard when just searching on the net and not knowing the feel of an area.

OP, you may also want to look for schools that are close geographically.

McLean, Diener, and Bullis are all relatively close. The first two schools might accept both of your sons. I'm not sure about Bullis for an HFA kid.