Who doesn't get into McLean?

Ok, good. I need DD in an environment where she can get the academic support she needs to feel confident. She is in a really good public school but the work is becoming increasingly difficult and she is struggling.

Anonymous wrote:I missed the earlier posts on this site but am wondering how difficult it is to get into McLean. My DD has mild ADHD (no behavioral issues), poor executive functioning skills and some speech and language processing issues. I have applied for middle school. Any input would be helpful. Thank you.

Not hard at all.

I missed the earlier posts on this site but am wondering how difficult it is to get into McLean. My DD has mild ADHD (no behavioral issues), poor executive functioning skills and some speech and language processing issues. I have applied for middle school. Any input would be helpful. Thank you.

Anonymous wrote:
Signed,

Not his mom.

thanks for the chuckle - much needed today!

Does anyone else have feedback to share on the open house yesterday? The new head was there but I did not get a chance to say hello to him. He seemed gregarious but not in an ostentatious way. Current and prospective parent feedback welcome.

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. It's all good. I like hearing from all. But, some former parents do seem bitter for various reasons. Maybe they were at McLean during a bad time. I was at the open house today and new head was there with current head and program heads it had a very position atmosphere. They also had a phenomenal guest speaker, Dr. Martha Denckla, who spoke on learning disabilities. If they were all faking it, they are really good actors. I want to learn to "act" like that.

I think its only one former parent.

Good to see McLean getting a lot of play on this forum. Definitely a positive sign...

OP here again. It's all good. I like hearing from all. But, some former parents do seem bitter for various reasons. Maybe they were at McLean during a bad time. I was at the open house today and new head was there with current head and program heads it had a very position atmosphere. They also had a phenomenal guest speaker, Dr. Martha Denckla, who spoke on learning disabilities. If they were all faking it, they are really good actors. I want to learn to "act" like that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://test.baltimorelabschool.org/content/searchpage

Here's the Bio for Katherine Schantz, Head of Lab School.

Looking at her bio, I would say she completely understands how to teach kids with learning issues.

And this is relevant, why?

Mclean serves a completely different niche from Lab.

So what-It is still a school that says it's mission is to help kids with learning issues. They pick a head who has no experience in teaching, leading a school with learning issues or even leading a school. It shows the kind of experience that a head of school has when they are chosen to lead a school.

if you like the guy great. But it just seems strange to pick a head of school with no background in teaching or any experience or background with kids with learning issues.

Do you have the inside information on why they chose him? No. I do and I am thrilled. My DS is at the school, so I have a strong, direct interest in whom they choose as head. If I thought it was a bad fit, I would transfer him in a second. I have a child at a more "elite" DC school whom I am considering transferring because of problems traced back to the head of the school. I don't have any of those concerns about McLean, quite the opposite. And I haven't heard any current parents express doubt either. Everyone is excited.

Why do you feel the need to come back and bash everything about McLean, over and over again? You made your point. My guess is that OP wants to hear from current parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://test.baltimorelabschool.org/content/searchpage

Here's the Bio for Katherine Schantz, Head of Lab School.

Looking at her bio, I would say she completely understands how to teach kids with learning issues.

And this is relevant, why?

Mclean serves a completely different niche from Lab.

So what-It is still a school that says it's mission is to help kids with learning issues. They pick a head who has no experience in teaching, leading a school with learning issues or even leading a school. It shows the kind of experience that a head of school has when they are chosen to lead a school.

if you like the guy great. But it just seems strange to pick a head of school with no background in teaching or any experience or background with kids with learning issues.

Anonymous wrote:PP, when you say "I've met quite a few families whose kids were rejected, either because their needs were too great", can you give an example of needs that are too great?

Kids whose developmental/behavioral needs would require too much attention from the teachers. Kids who wouldn't be able to participate without a lot of supports. Kids with intellectual disabilities. Essentially, the kids who don't get into McLean are kids who are better served at Lab or Diener.

McLean has some very high functioning kids with Aspergers -- my DS is one -- but generally they reject kids with ASDs. They also reject kids who are aggressive.

Anonymous wrote:http://test.baltimorelabschool.org/content/searchpage

Here's the Bio for Katherine Schantz, Head of Lab School.

Looking at her bio, I would say she completely understands how to teach kids with learning issues.

And this is relevant, why?

Mclean serves a completely different niche from Lab.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are not going to get 100% in any candidate. What planet are you living on?

I guess the teaching and curriculum part are just not all that important for leading a school.

I'm not sure why you are so intent on bashing the guy, or why the McLean basher always comes out of the woods, over and over again. I get that your child had a bad experience, it happens. But say it once and move on.

You weren't involved in the hiring process so you really don't know whats going on.

http://test.baltimorelabschool.org/content/searchpage

Here's the Bio for Katherine Schantz, Head of Lab School.

Looking at her bio, I would say she completely understands how to teach kids with learning issues.