Anonymous wrote:My son wouldn't do well@ McLean. He's unable to tune out hyperactive behavior from others when it involves noise making. I know that about my son. Over the course of a few years a couple of kids who had hyperactive-type ADHD (that was pretty obvious, not mild) switched to McLean. They're doing well (we keep in touch/still have play dates with one child in particular - he's a good kid but always talking and my son couldn't filter out the noise & ignore him in class). I saw how disruptive one hyperactive boy near him had such a large effect and could never imagine him being at a school where he'd have many more in his classroom. My son could not handle the environment. But that's my son - you know your child best.

McLean has an average of 10 students per class, which is quite small. How many students are in the classes at your son's current school? I wonder how he is able to function in any class.

My son wouldn't do well@ McLean. He's unable to tune out hyperactive behavior from others when it involves noise making. I know that about my son. Over the course of a few years a couple of kids who had hyperactive-type ADHD (that was pretty obvious, not mild) switched to McLean. They're doing well (we keep in touch/still have play dates with one child in particular - he's a good kid but always talking and my son couldn't filter out the noise & ignore him in class). I saw how disruptive one hyperactive boy near him had such a large effect and could never imagine him being at a school where he'd have many more in his classroom. My son could not handle the environment. But that's my son - you know your child best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not the PP but you've lost me. This is an anonymous open forum and people should be able to express their concerns. You are assuming the statement is false or either you are attempting to silence someone from discussing a concern. What is unproductive to you may be interpreted differently than someone else.

I'm not attempting to silence anyone. Nor am I assuming anything about truth or falsehoods. I am saying that it's more productive to address concerns directly.

I guess it depends on what you're trying to accomplish. If the school was responsive to complaints, then telling the administration would be a good step. But if the goal is to let parents know the pros and cons of a school, I can't think of a better way than posting here. And the two actions are not mutually exclusive.

OK. The OP asked about kids without LDs at McLean, though, and I have the sense some of these posts don't fit that frame. I do think it's reasonable to point that out. I also think it's reasonable not to slam administrators by name.

[quote=Anonymous]

OP, this is the first time I have written in this thread. I have a child in the lower school at McLean. I do not think the school is for everyone (just as any other school would not be either). I, in fact, pulled my child from [b]a different hybrid school[/b] because it was not the right placement. What I have found as my child goes up in grades is that my child is extremely happy and comfortable at McLean. His level of anxiety during the school day is almost non-existent now. Therefore, he is learning. He does have other needs and we have outside help because he needed more than could be provided in school. For us that was ok, because I didn't expect to get everything from within (our experience receiving services provided by a school was not a good one). We did use some in school help, but he no longer needs that help, so we dropped it.

I think whether the school works for a child and his/her parents is a personal thing. I don't bash the school I pulled my child from (and there are times I wanted to), but it's a school that works for others that are happy there. It just didn't work for my child at all.

OP, have you gone to McLean and toured it? Have you spoken to anyone there? Have you asked to speak to a family who is currently there? I think I would do that at any school. It can only help with your decision.[/quote]

What was the other hybrid school? There are so few school like that around here.

[quote=Anonymous]While I cringe at the tone of some of the negative comments, this tread has been incredibly helpful to me in learning more about Mclean and what are seen as its pros and cons. I want to thank everyone for their honest feedback. It's hard to get a sense of schools, especially how much follow through they have in learning support, without input from families who are there. Every child is different and no school is for everyone, as several PP said. More information is really valuable, as are different perspectives. Part of my concern is whether DD would be overlooked because she does not have LD or serious needs, just anxiety and some challenges -- if other students and their families are very needy and resource hungry, will she not be viewed as "qualifying" for extra support?? Just some concerns and thoughts. Thank you[/quote]

OP, this is the first time I have written in this thread. I have a child in the lower school at McLean. I do not think the school is for everyone (just as any other school would not be either). I, in fact, pulled my child from a different hybrid school because it was not the right placement. What I have found as my child goes up in grades is that my child is extremely happy and comfortable at McLean. His level of anxiety during the school day is almost non-existent now. Therefore, he is learning. He does have other needs and we have outside help because he needed more than could be provided in school. For us that was ok, because I didn't expect to get everything from within (our experience receiving services provided by a school was not a good one). We did use some in school help, but he no longer needs that help, so we dropped it.

I think whether the school works for a child and his/her parents is a personal thing. I don't bash the school I pulled my child from (and there are times I wanted to), but it's a school that works for others that are happy there. It just didn't work for my child at all.

OP, have you gone to McLean and toured it? Have you spoken to anyone there? Have you asked to speak to a family who is currently there? I think I would do that at any school. It can only help with your decision.

While I cringe at the tone of some of the negative comments, this tread has been incredibly helpful to me in learning more about Mclean and what are seen as its pros and cons. I want to thank everyone for their honest feedback. It's hard to get a sense of schools, especially how much follow through they have in learning support, without input from families who are there. Every child is different and no school is for everyone, as several PP said. More information is really valuable, as are different perspectives. Part of my concern is whether DD would be overlooked because she does not have LD or serious needs, just anxiety and some challenges -- if other students and their families are very needy and resource hungry, will she not be viewed as "qualifying" for extra support?? Just some concerns and thoughts. Thank you

Did has attended McLean from 6th - now 8th - it has been a wonderful experience for her. Reason for switching from mcps to McLean was due to some anxiety issues. McLean has built an excellent foundational educating for her and she is thriving. As the kids progress through MS the work get harder and the teachers are tougher - all in preparation for HS. Less hand holding and more attention on forcing kids to take charge of their own path. Definitely teaching the kids to advocate for themselves. Teachers are easy to talk to.

MS was tough (socially, emotionally) on all of us when we went to school, it still is and always will be. Occasionally a teacher will trip up (happens to all of us) but I have found that they are always open to suggestions and input. Sometimes these kids need additional help from tutors or other specialist - it is an individualized thing. Can't expect the teachers to be the end all for each child. Sadly it had been my observation that it is sometimes the parents that are the issue - some totally expect to write a big check, drop the kid off at the door and have all the issues handled/solved by the school - reality is life doesn't work that way.

I went with my gut feeling and enrolled my child in McLean. We struggle with the high tuition, but it was the right choice and would do it again.

Well said, PP. I want to hear the good and the bad when I'm trying to make a decision and most intelligent, open minded people can determine what they want to take from the information shared.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not the PP but you've lost me. This is an anonymous open forum and people should be able to express their concerns. You are assuming the statement is false or either you are attempting to silence someone from discussing a concern. What is unproductive to you may be interpreted differently than someone else.

I'm not attempting to silence anyone. Nor am I assuming anything about truth or falsehoods. I am saying that it's more productive to address concerns directly.

I guess it depends on what you're trying to accomplish. If the school was responsive to complaints, then telling the administration would be a good step. But if the goal is to let parents know the pros and cons of a school, I can't think of a better way than posting here. And the two actions are not mutually exclusive.

Anonymous wrote:I am not the PP but you've lost me. This is an anonymous open forum and people should be able to express their concerns. You are assuming the statement is false or either you are attempting to silence someone from discussing a concern. What is unproductive to you may be interpreted differently than someone else.

I'm not attempting to silence anyone. Nor am I assuming anything about truth or falsehoods. I am saying that it's more productive to address concerns directly.

I am not the PP but you've lost me. This is an anonymous open forum and people should be able to express their concerns. You are assuming the statement is false or either you are attempting to silence someone from discussing a concern. What is unproductive to you may be interpreted differently than someone else.

Anonymous wrote:How is it not productive if it is a legitimate concern? And, you should not be so quick to dismiss or "trash" the concerns of others.

I think there are more productive ways to handle something than to label someone a liar on an anonymous public forum.

How is it not productive if it is a legitimate concern? And, you should not be so quick to dismiss or "trash" the concerns of others.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^And, just how would you suggest raising the concern of the competency level of the lower or middle school head without risking your family being alienated?

I'm certain you can think of something more productive than trashing identifiable people on an anonymous message board.

What?

Look upthread.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^And, just how would you suggest raising the concern of the competency level of the lower or middle school head without risking your family being alienated?

I'm certain you can think of something more productive than trashing identifiable people on an anonymous message board.

What?