We are having a very positive experience in 6th grade at JDS. Our assigned learning specialist is wonderful. The teachers really follow up with kids who are missing assignments. Many kids get extra help.

Our DS in 5th grade is at a very small pvt school. We jumped him to 4th grade private from public when after 3rd grade we recognized he was struggling. Although we wondered if he was ADHD, we didn't receive a firm diagnosis for dyslexia and ADHD until last summer after he completed 4th. This year in 5th, we have a very strong team of teachers providing reading tutoring and helping us with supporting him academically in addition to him receiving outside therapy and we just started medication.

I would say that even in private school, there are good/bad teachers. For example, his teacher in 4th grade was horrible. Beyond horrible. I truly believe he would have been better off in public that's how bad she was. This year, although his teachers are not horrible and there is one superstar teacher who I bow down to, I would suggest that the private school fit is better but depending on finances, it depends on what public school you would compare it to. For instance, we are considering public middle school for him next year given that we've decided to apply to another private school and if we don't get in, we would opt for the public v. returning to this school again.

So my lesson learned is that while private will offer potentially more tools than public and the very huge advantage is smaller class sizes with teachers who will be more open to working 1:1 with your kid, there's no guarantee it is mountains better than another public option. What really factors in to supporting your kid includes:

1. Quality of teachers - first and foremost - get a teacher who in on the ball and cares - it doesn't matter if public/private
2. The administration of that school ditto above. Our public school was really good. I would say better than the current private school administration. Obviously, there's just limits to how public can help but apples to apples, although we are at a very reputable and popular private school in the community, the general admin SUCKS.
3. The determination of what specifically your kid needs to thrive: for us I'm learned that DS needs social opportunities. Whether he just as ADHD/dyslexia or is maybe on the spectrum, he has some issues impacting emotional awareness - although I'd love to keep him in small classes, we think he's better off finding his own group in a diversity environment - if there's only 11 kids or something in his class - he's at the mercy of bonding with those 11 kids and that is it. That's one example. We can always find outside support, it really is about what your kid needs specifically v. the idea of private v. public school. Like anything, it's all about drilling down to specifics.

There's also cost to consider of course. You're gonna pay for outside support throughout duration of school - many years more to go.

Good luck!!!

Your DD doesn't seem like a fit for McLean and it's pricey. Would suggest, as a previous poster did, Catholic schools - for example, if she's not averse to the idea of all-girls, Holy Cross has (at least when we were looking) what seemed to be a good support system for kids with learning differences. Also depends on where you are located as driving around the Beltway wouldn't be worth it for any school IMO. There are any number of schools that could make a difference but your location is also an important part of that decision. I would also consider finding a different tutor (is yours someone who specializes in kids with learning differences?). Maybe a fresh approach to this aspect of her support could be the solution.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the responses so far. We have been doing tutoring for a couple years, but I have to say I'm not sure how much it has helped, especially since we switched to virtual. My daughter is mentally fatigued after a long day of school and her ADHD medication has largely worn off by 4 o'clock and I'm not sure she is getting much from tutoring. I feel like she is just going through the motions. I would love for her to do her learning during school hours. (But maybe I also just need a new tutor...)

We already applied to a couple schools last month - I'm just wondering if I should keep doing so (or how I would decide if she got in). I've found a number of schools that are still accepting applications for next year (again, not talking about the "big 3/5," etc.).

Would love feedback from those who have "average" kids or even kids who need some extra help (but who wouldn't have been deemed as qualifying for special ed in public) in a non-top tier private school. Do you feel that, education wise, you are getting your money's worth? Also interested in hearing if the answer depends on whether school is fully in person.

To answer question, yes private can help. However, in response to the bolded above, by middle school I would definitely consider a booster medication (fast acting stimulant) in the afternoons. My child started taking one in 3rd grade and it makes a huge difference in after school activities, homework, confidence in other things, using time productively, etc. If she is "done" at 4, that's going to be tough for homework in high school whether you are at private or public.