Catherine Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 My home schooling career is ending, with my youngest entering ninth grade. I'd prefer to continue to teach him at home but he very much wants to go to high school. Please weigh in and help us make a decision about the best placement for him. Some background: He is youngest of three, and all of my kids have a somewhat similar learning profile-they are very bright, very good test takers, but slow (particularly this one)-he has measurably slow processing and a diagnosis of ADD. Since he's been at home all of his educational career, we have accommodated him without too much difficulty, and he is functioning far, far better than his early days would have suggested were likely. However, I've seen this transition twice now and in both cases, it did not go particularly well. Neither of my older kids were excellent high school students, though both had moments of brilliance, and unfortunately, many moments of mediocre or even failing performance. So I am HOPING to get it right this time and find a place where my son can thrive socially and academically. We are considering three schools: 1. Public charter opening this fall. Final location TBD for his sophomore year-next year's location is temporary. Well-regarded charter franchise that has several locations in other cities: it's a Bard Early College. Pros: it's free, has a known track record of success, appeals to the classical homeschooler in me as all classes are taught by PhDs, seminar style. Cons: many unknowns, not at all clear how they would deal with a kid with his (mild but real) LDs. 2. Pricey private school #1: Pros: well-known for their attentive handling of kids (boys in particular) who struggle academically. Excellent college counseling, kids go to everything from Ivies to service academies. Cons: ds considers it less attractive socially than other options. I see why. 3. Pricey private school #2: Pros: socially is a perfect fit for ds. Excellent college counseling though it's clear that their students go to higher-ranked schools than option #2 above. Reputation as more academically rigorous than #2. Cons: less support for LDs, by my own assessment. I think he would probably not manage to be more than a barely average student there. I personally don't care for the atmosphere there (rather Bohemian, everything goes). Please send me all ideas you have. We have a looming deadline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Have you had him tested? For a high school or university to give much help they need testing done. I would be talking with them based on your son's particulars. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Yes, he's been tested and both private schools are aware of his testing and the results. We did not meet with the learning specialists at either place...though I think we should! Good thought. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 I would not go with the brand new school that is just opening up. It may take a couple of years for them to get everything running smoothly. The first year will probably be a zoo. (BTDT) Of the other two, I would definitely talk with the learning specialists at both schools and see what sorts of accommodations/remediation they can and will provide and how they do so. Ask specifics and tour the facilities. While his social happiness is obviously a factor, that social happiness may disintigrate if he is looked down on by his peers. A school that is respectful and proactively supportive of his weaknesses AND his strengths would be a far better fit, IMHO, than a school where he is just treading water. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 I'd ditch school #3 from consideration. Less support and tons of competition seem to = disaster academically. Even socially, will he still feel like he fits in when "everyone else can do it easily?" This leaves #1 and #2. If he doesn't like #2, it's not likely to work well. His attitude will be important for making this all work. Bard has a great reputation and I personally love their plan regarding who they hire, etc. They may be a new school, but if he'd be on board, I would too. The free part is merely a bonus. The good fit and the good education would trump their newness to me. It's also a plus that their overall program is anything but new. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Bard has a great reputation and I personally love their plan regarding who they hire, etc. They may be a new school, but if he'd be on board, I would too. The free part is merely a bonus. The good fit and the good education would trump their newness to me. It's also a plus that their overall program is anything but new. #1 sounds good to me too, even if it is new. I would research how they've handled LDs at other locations if possible. The fact that it's free means if your ds needs support like academic tutoring, adhd coaching or other, you still have funds to get him the support. ETA: I wouldn't consider #1 brand new school. It is a new location for a program that has been doing this for over 25 years. They have several locations, so they appear to know how to open a new one. There will be kinks, but not like a brand new school 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ailaena Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 I would never choose a new school, regardless of who is opening it, how excellent the other schools are, who they hire, etc, etc. OK, the words "Bard Early College" makes me hesitate, but will they have the support in place for him? What about in two years when he starts taking college courses? Will they offer the same support? Is it worth it to him to have college credits? Does he need the challenge, or does he need the credits? Out of all the schools my dd applied to, we knew that only one school would accept community college courses. However, she needed the challenge. It seems like school 2 is your best option, but do you think he would ever accept social life there? Can he do a shadow day? At both schools, 2 and 3? Is being an average student at school 3 like being an average student at CalTech? Would he still end up with an excellent education, but also have some humility? Wow, I see your stress. :grouphug: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 I would lean away from #1 without more specifics for a student with unique learning needs. If they can demonstrate a well-worn path for 2e kids, then I'd consider #1 more strongly based on the "free" part. I would talk with the learning services people at both #2 and #3 ASAP. Without knowing anything more, I would lean toward #2 because it sounds like a better fit academically, though it's also hard to imagine what aspect of the social culture is undesirable (is it primarily populated with kids with unique learning needs, for example?). However, if detailed conversations with #3 made clear that he would get the proper support for a 2e student, then by all means I'd go with that one. I see two issues, the first being the obvious need for support for current learning and organization, and the second being preparation for the college support atmosphere, which will be somewhat different for young adults, if that makes any sense. Tough decision - good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Thank you so much for all of the thoughtful replies. Please keep them coming! I will be contacting Bard again to get more information about their handling of 2e kids. The difference between #2 and #3 socially is that #2 is all boys, #3 co-ed. Ds is not a sports-focused kid, and he says that the school had a "frat like" atmosphere. However, my recollection from his visit day there is that he had fun and liked it. I suspect he is not as much of a Bohemian as he thinks : ) AND, I know from visiting myself and from people whose kids go there that there is plenty of room for boys who are not into sports. They send kids to art schools and drama programs too so it's not a total sports culture. I am pretty sure that ds's primary motivation in going to school is social, and I do think that is a legitimate reason, particularly given that my dh and I cannot be as available to facilitate a social life for him as we'd like, given our jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Why is he not so inclined to #2? I wouldn't be afraid of the Bard program because it's new to your location. It's not a new program, it's just new in your area. I see those as substantially different. If I were you I'd see if you TOGETHER could tour the schools while classes are in session. Sit in on a full day of a freshman schedule. See how it feels and how the teachers interact with students. Sometimes all the brochures in the world aren't going to encompass the culture you can only experience to understand. ETA: whatever you choose, prepare him that you'll be doing some handholding to help him through the transistion. He'll need a good calendar and an assignment notebook and will need to show you all the syllabui. Help him write the deadlines and homework on the day due on the calendar (a paper calendar that you have access too). Then schedule time for homework and studying and sit through it with him for a while. Help him write flashcards and cram and figure out how to follow someone else's schedule. If you warn him in advance that you're still going to be heavily involved until you see he can hack it he'll find it less obnoxious, and hopefully have a better transition. Also make sure he's aware that nuance is less tolerated in schools than thought. His goal isn't going to be to learn independent thinking as much as memorizing and then demonstrating exactly what the teacher wants him to learn. Those are not the same, no matter the educational philosophy of the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 I see. IME, students from an all-boys school have little trouble getting together with girls, though perhaps there are differences in your town. I also would tend to doubt the mostly-jock impression that your ds seems to have, though again, see if you can find out more from current students/parents. As he seemed to enjoy his shadow day, I would lean heavily toward #2 and work on finding a way to get him to buy in - not a simple matter, as I know all too well, LOL! Eta, it may be possible to have an additional shadow day to ask additional questions and get a better feel for the culture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readinmom Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Coming from a mom who has a son with ADD, I'd say school #2 looks the most promising. The charter is still in the process of hiring teachers for the upcoming school year. Like any other situation, it will take time to build the charter even though it is established in other areas. Building a staff takes much trial and error. It looks as though school #2 has already had the experience to offer your ds the best possible experience with his learning needs in mind. Just my 2 cents. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 He chose #1, the Bard early college public charter. I am stunned that he chose this over the private schools with their gorgeous campuses. In the end he decided that the class style was most similar to what he already does, here at home, and he likes the fact that socially, they will all be starting new, as everyone there will be coming from somewhere else. There's a certain logic in going from one unconventional school setting to another. We were able to meet with one school's learning specialist and talk on the phone with the other. Wow-they have so much to offer. I'm pretty sure he is underestimating the role his LDs are going to play in his high school experience. How could it be otherwise, really. At the end of the day, I realized that each choice had its liabilities and benefits, and the school I preferred, #2, would not have been a great fit for him socially. Fortunately they sometimes accept students outside the normal admissions schedule, and he is aware that he will continue at his choice for as long as we agree that things are going well. PLUS, of course, I know we can just leave and home school at any time. It's impossible to overstate the security and relief that comes from that knowledge. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 I think there's a bit to be said for having the style be similar to what he is used to AND that he chose the school himself. It sounds good regarding the learning specialists and Bard schools definitely have a decent reputation in general. May it all go well for him and may he find both great friends and mentors! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.