Avon Old Farm School vs Lawrence Academy

Hi Everyone,

Hoping for some insight. My son got accepted at both schools for the same cost. He is a very bright boy skews towards the geeky/socially awkward with ADD/ADHD and Learning differences including need for executive function support. He is okay playing sports but is not competitive. Does not play hockey, baseball or lacrosse (he like lacrosse but only recreationally).

He would attend LA as a day student and AOF as a boarder.

Any insights as to which might be a better fit?

They are two very different schools. How does he feel about an all boys school? (It was a no go for DS). How does he feel about boarding? I think those are your first questions to consider.

I would contact the Academic Support Center at both schools. I know kids with EF needs that attend LA and I hear they do well, but I had a really hard time figuring out exactly what they offer. AOF seems like a more defined program, but you should do your own research and find out how exactly they would support your son.

Also, you might want to look at your commute time. One of the things that pushed us toward boarding was the amount of study hall and down time he’d lose with a commute. Both are important to a kid with ADD.

LA is one of the few schools where it is fairly easy to switch from day to boarding. MOst of the kids we know that started as day students boarded by junior year.

I’d make sure to attend both revisit days. As I said, two very different schools. I’m sure he’ll have a strong preference for one over the other after he visits.