You do have to prove/make the case effectively DCPS can’t provide FAPE - so you can’t sue for lab placement without first going to a DCPS unless you can show DCPS can’t meet the IEP requirements (and the IEP has to have the things articulated that DCPS school can’t meet). Seriously anyone that is more than 3 years beyond suing for placement isn’t familiar with the current dynamics. Call the attorneys listed - they do initial
free consultations.

OP there may not be a magic bullet school worth moving for. Remediation looks very different for teens vs elementary. Lab School does less remediation the older the kids get. The goal for high school is a lot of executive functioning and personal learning & career path planning.

Brian Gruber has a DCPS to Lab case study on his website you might want to look at.

Do you have tutoring and summer school/program like the one at Lab to prep for next year?

Despite the name, the Kids with Special Needs forum will help more than here.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for sharing your experience. I am reaching out to those families. One is likely your sons age, college. one i believe high school now. others are people my friends know. so, i too am skeptical. but thought i'd investigate if it is worth trying or not. believe me, i'm investigating all sorts of public alternatives in the area too. i am willing to move if worth moving for. it's hard to sort our info from any of the schools or districts without hearing first hand accounts. I will be happy to report back any real information I receive.

Post on the special needs boards- you will get more recent info.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am reaching out to those families. One is likely your sons age, college. one i believe high school now. others are people my friends know. so, i too am skeptical. but thought i'd investigate if it is worth trying or not. believe me, i'm investigating all sorts of public alternatives in the area too. i am willing to move if worth moving for. it's hard to sort our info from any of the schools or districts without hearing first hand accounts. I will be happy to report back any real information I receive.

Anonymous wrote:i know a few people who have done it, but like i said, not in the last couple of years. i may not be in my legal rights, i will find out from a lawyer. again, thanks for you sensitive, non judgmental response.

How old are the children in these families that you know? Are they still children? Are they really at Lab with only dyslexia, no other needs?

I have older kids. People used to move to DCPS from MD and VA because it was easier to get out-placement for special needs private school, but, this has not been the case for MANY years. 10-15? I do know one family that did this, but their child had to first be in a DCPS school (I believe it took them 2 years) before they got a placement at Lab. This child is the same age as my son who just graduated from college. If these families are real and have current students in DCPS, I would forget about DCUM. I'd call each of them and ask how them to walk you through how they did it. Please report back, I am skeptical.

that is good to know, thanks. we have friends at OLOV who really like it.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for your response, I would be glad to know the name of your Parish school.

Our lady of Victory

i know a few people who have done it, but like i said, not in the last couple of years. i may not be in my legal rights, i will find out from a lawyer. again, thanks for you sensitive, non judgmental response.

Anonymous wrote:child has never been enrolled at DCPS. does have an IEP, school would be DEAL. I will inquire with school and lawyers - all good thoughts, thanks you

Wait, so you think DCPS will pay for your kid to attend Lab without having ever attended DCPS?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. That's funny.

child has never been enrolled at DCPS. does have an IEP, school would be DEAL. I will inquire with school and lawyers - all good thoughts, thanks you

Can you clarify: Has your child ever enrolled in DCPS? Does your child have an IEP?

The case for suing DCPS is typically that DCPS did not provide FAPE / an appropriate placement/program.

It is really hard to make the case if you never had a conversation about it. BUT - talk to a lawyer.

What would your In-boundary school be? Have you reached out to discuss your child's needs with the school? The possible way you could make a case (I am not a lawyer) is to initiate the process now with enrolling your child next year in DCPS. Asking for a meeting to determine if your child qualifies for an IEP, getting the IEP and then stating that the program offered was not appropriate and doing unilateral parental placement. BUT a lawyer would be better at guiding you with this.

for the sender who wanted to reach out to me: west-lake@hotmail.com