Anonymous wrote:

back_in_dc wrote:OP here. Apologies, as I did NOT mean to be offensive at all. I think, reasonably, most folks ought to know what I mean. NO, kids with severe disabilities will not "poison" mine. But schools that are structured for kids with severe disabilities often don't support normal school programs - sports, regular extra curriculars, etc. I do not know if this is the case with the Lab School, which is why I asked for info. If I offended you, charge it to my head and not my heart. Thank you for the info about the McLean School as well. I sincerely appreciate all info.

On this site lady you are incorrect. I have an ADHD child who isn't on the spectrum and who does not have emotional issues and your post made me cringe.

Give the lady a break. She has an SN kid too, and is using word "normal" in place of NT, which people use here ALL the time to basically mean the same thing. She obviously loves her SN child and sees other SN parents as peers.

back_in_dc wrote:OP here. Apologies, as I did NOT mean to be offensive at all. I think, reasonably, most folks ought to know what I mean. NO, kids with severe disabilities will not "poison" mine. But schools that are structured for kids with severe disabilities often don't support normal school programs - sports, regular extra curriculars, etc. I do not know if this is the case with the Lab School, which is why I asked for info. If I offended you, charge it to my head and not my heart. Thank you for the info about the McLean School as well. I sincerely appreciate all info.

On this site lady you are incorrect. I have an ADHD child who isn't on the spectrum and who does not have emotional issues and your post made me cringe.

Lab does not accept children with emotional or behavioral problems. Not one. Lab accepts children with average to exceptional intelligence (thorough recent testing is required with application-WISC or Toni, comprehensive psycho Ed eval) who have language based learning issues.

This means that Lab only accepts a stage or really bright kids who don't learn the same way the masses do.

Yes Commonwealth. That's what I was thinking of.

back_in_dc wrote:However, a social worker friend of mine who knows my son urged me to tread carefully because she indicated that there are some kids with serious emotional problems, Aspbergers and other types of disabilities that are so far down the spectrum from my son's condition, that it may not be the best experience for him. Can anyone help me with more info? Is the Lab School the best place for a hyperactive kid with the tendency to get distracted and not finish work? Or will I be doing him a disservice by having him in a school with kids who are so far down the spectrum, the entire learning experience is different and abnormal by traditional standards? I don't think my kid is *that* different. He just has issues with impatience (he blurts out answers instead of waiting to be called on) and is fidgety and anxious. He is compassionate, kind and sweet and his teachers love him. Is it better to just leave him in an environment where they have an IEP in place for him? Some days I feel like he is just left of normal, some days I feel like he is completely normal. But from what I hear, all the Lab School kids are WAY left of normal and I fear that would make him feel more odd.

Your friend doesn't know what she's talking about and is violating many professional codes by equating her social knowledge of your child with a diagnosis of his needs. Lab School has been around for 40 years. It may not be perfect, but you'll find just as many "professionals" who want to tear it down because they couldn't handle teaching or being a clinician there as you will find professionals who praise it to the heavens. It's a small school in a small town.

First things first. How old is you child and how far on or off grade level standardized test performance? If your child "just" has ADHD, and no learning differences like dyslexia or dysgraphia, then go back to the school and tell them to get their act together. At the same time, consult your local public, state, county educational authorities to find ways to help your diagnosed ADHD child. There may be other schools, tutors, technologies than can help your child if he doesn't have LDs.

Lab School looks at LD first, and ADHD second. The comorbidity of ADHD and LDs adds context to how they teach. But it is not set up at all for kids who are "far down the spectrum" of autism. Go to the school and see for yourself. I agree with PP who said your friend might be confusing Lab with another school like Kingsbury. ? The other PP who mentioned extracurriculars at Lab was also correct. Lab school is arts-integration which means all kinds of arts. Some kids considered Aspies are really artistically talented. If your ADHD child excels in art but struggles in math or literacy, then Lab might be ideal. They've spent decades supporting a few kids who are artistically gifted or athletically talented who find it hard to shine in traditional academic settings. It's hard work for everyone. There are no magic cures.

If your child has "only" ADHD, then be thankful and push your school to do more. Your child deserves it. Your family friend may have the best of intentions, but they may not be in the best position to advise you on your child's school. But it's great that they care.

Can you share more about the new MS head at McLean? I thought they were doing an external search.

Commonwealth in Alexandria
Newton School in Sterling
Auburn School in Herndon

Depending on your child's age, Newton or Commonwealth could be a good fit

They've chosen the new middle school head and he's great, an internal hire who is well-liked and knows his stuff.

Anonymous wrote:Several (or more) families left McLean in the last few years due to dissatisfaction. I don't know the reasons but you should read about McLean on this forum. There is also a school in VA called Compass that you may want to check out. (Or maybe not Compass...something that starts with a C--I know they help kids with exec functioning issues). You might also watch your child over the next year or so. It is my understanding that attention does improve over the adolescent years. There is also Nora School for HS.

Incoming McLean parent here and very excited about my DCs starting in the Fall. Read the recent McLean threads on the private school forum and you will see also the positive changes including a new Head of School and potential new Middle School head. OP, you should go visit and talk to the admissions officials.

Anonymous wrote:Several (or more) families left McLean in the last few years due to dissatisfaction. I don't know the reasons but you should read about McLean on this forum. There is also a school in VA called Compass that you may want to check out. (Or maybe not Compass...something that starts with a C--I know they help kids with exec functioning issues). You might also watch your child over the next year or so. It is my understanding that attention does improve over the adolescent years. There is also Nora School for HS.

Comapss runs homeschool seminars. There is the Auburn school in Reston.

I'm not the McLean badger, but I am only speaking from hearsay--chats with two or three families who left and mentioned a couple more. Still, it might be a great school. What fits one kid doesn't necessarily fit another. Look at the school. Another thing to think about is friendship. Is your child happy socially in his current school? This is important. Academics are not so important until late middle school in my opinion.

Anonymous wrote:Several (or more) families left McLean in the last few years due to dissatisfaction. I don't know the reasons but you should read about McLean on this forum. There is also a school in VA called Compass that you may want to check out. (Or maybe not Compass...something that starts with a C--I know they help kids with exec functioning issues). You might also watch your child over the next year or so. It is my understanding that attention does improve over the adolescent years. There is also Nora School for HS.

McLean parent who is very happy with the school. There is a McLean badger on these boards but most like it very much.