Seeking updates on private schools for ADHD middle schooler
I'm looking for a private school for my 6th grader with ADHD. The reviews I've read are a couple of years old and I know things can change over time. Is anyone with a similarly situated kid in the following schools able to provide insights?
I'm looking at Raskob, Core Academy, Black Pine Circle, and The Berkeley School. Also Fusion Academy, however I've read that a great deal of what students learn is through observing other peers so wonder what is lost in a 1:1 teaching model.
Thank you for any updates!
Dec 17, 2020
Parent Replies
If your middle schooler is not super social, one of the 1:1 schools like Fusion or Tilden might be the way to go. My daughter went to Tilden for all of middle school and high school. She didn’t have ADHD but zoned out a lot of things didn’t interest her. For kids like her (and I assume your son) it made a huge difference that a teacher was tracking her focus and interest and switched things up if she started wandering. The whole learning from peers is not as valuable as having an attentive teacher and honestly for our type of kids peers can easily become a distraction. Learning happens with interaction and it doesn’t have to happen with peers. Tilden teachers were highly involved, dedicated and social. My daughter loved so many of them. The other advantage is academics are condensed so that she would feel less brain fried on school days and could engage in more fulfilling hobbies and such.
I am in same boat as you (but with a 5th grader) and would like to compare notes. Please reach out to me.
Our 5th grader has ADHD and sensory processing issues and we have had quite a harrowing school journey. Our child is now at Crestmont School and it seems to be going quite well! The class size is very small which helps with managing the sensory issues, and the teachers are very willing to meet students where they are at, and make accommodations as needed. The head of school and the learning specialist are particularly skilled at understanding how to work with kids who do not have a neurotypical learning style. We looked at some of the schools you mentioned but opted against them after talking with other less than happy parents at those schools (particularly the more traditional private schools you named). I would recommend adding Crestmont to your list of schools to check out. Also FWIW, this year they are offering both on campus school or distance learning options and the on campus has been going great. They are incredibly thoughtful about how to navigate school in a covid world and we've felt very confident in how they are handling it. Happy to share more if you'd like and good luck!
Hi, my 7th grader started at Crestmont School last year, in the 6th grade, after struggling at public elementary school due to ADHD and other issues. It's been a great environment and with the very small classes and lots of individual attention, my kid is actually enjoying learning and staying engaged with the curriculum. COVID and distance learning has been especially challenging as I'm sure is true for most ADHD kids - teacher support at Crestmont has been great and I've felt very supported while trying to keep up with learning at home. That said I'm happy they are able to be back on in person instruction! The social environment there is also a big positive and the community is welcoming for all children, regardless of their differences. If you want a small school with lots of individual attention and but still peer interactive rather than 1:1, check it out!