I wanted to get input from this forum as I found the posts here especially helpful when my older son was applying to BS. We have talked to educational consultant and she is not well versed in latest research on dyslexia and the dyslexia academic consultant does not know boarding schools as well and that’s not what she does. I know there is another recent post but that poster has an ADD/nld son, with emphasis on sports.
By the way, I’m not concerned about posting too many details. This process is different from regular BS application. My son is 13 years old, applying for 9th grade, IQ score in 99.9% or higher (we didn’t know he was dyslexic, no dyslexic remediation, score could be higher). My son has Central Auditory Processing Disorder, below average processing speed. He is social and is considered a “cool” kid. Mature, responsible, good self-esteem so no social/emotional problems. He is a picky eater. He likes film and photography, tennis, skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding and Pokémon. We would prefer a school that has latest tech support for LD, not too much emphasis on sports, challenging academic courses, and daily 1:1 dyslexia tutoring. I’ve already talked to a few schools and one responded that they did not think they could meet his level of gifted academic needs (although they have 2e kids), math and science probably given his Raw test scores and another school brought this up as well. He is good in math. Reading comprehension and writing essays and stories are really technically lacking but it looks like it is improving with the little remediation we’ve found. We are scheduled to visit Eagle Hill in Hardwick, MA. I would like to schedule more. These are on my list so far: kildonan, Gow, Forman, Middlebridge, Davidson (day only). Would like to hear other members’ opinions. I would like to consider Trinity-Pawling and other schools that aren’t normally considered schools for dyslexics but have school wide LD support , but impression I’ve gotten is that is not the right place for my kid. Also, he didnt do well in SSAT.
While it’s more day than boarding, this is something Hun has traditionally done well. Environment is pretty sporty, though. Pennington has good learning support and nice kids. Same set up - pretty sporty and mostly day but some boarders. You could probably figure out pretty quickly if they fit the bill.
I knew a bright kid with visual processing issues who did well at Kents Hill in Maine but I don’t know details.
The only two schools that I know (that come close to your specifics) are Forman and Trinity-Pawling and maybe Salisbury who has a learning specialist. Forman has a long history as well as TP with the LD/dyslexia remediation. When you say “not too much emphasis on sports”-- I think that is going to limit your search. Remember, that schools (even with big sports programs) also have other options for students. There are clubs, hobbies they can pursue, mentoring, and lower sports teams. I would find out from visiting the campuses what is offered to kids who are not into sports. Landmark had been a bag of mixed reviews in my opinion depending on what you are seeking. You truly have to get a sense of how your son will fit into any school culture. I know one educational consultant who is a former headmaster and also for years worked for the Forman school and knows well the types of schools that my be a good “fit” for your son. You can private message me for his information. My experience with going through this same process is that you visit the schools and go beyond their web sites. As far as assistive technology, I looked for a seamless transition into college–in other words did the schools offer similar services that a good college disability support center would have. That was key for me.
Thank you for your reply. I am looking for same transition to college for assistive technology. I am planning to take him to iTech in San Jose to start trying out assistive technology based on advice and links on the website Parents Helping Parents. When I visited BS schools with my older son, we saw at least one school that made me think that without a sport, you wouldn’t find your place here. We are waiting for March admit announcements for my older son. Older son has already asked me to find him sports camps because his 1st choice school does not offer his strongest sports and feels that he would be happier there if he could play a sport really well. He has always been competitive so I think he would be fine. My younger son is a tennis player and a recreational skier with a ski racing history. We’ve looked at Gow’s website and he seemed excited about the recreational sports. What he doesn’t like is the competitiveness, hazing and bro culture that goes on with stereotypical athletic types. I’m trying to keep our choices open while appealing to him because if he doesn’t want to go, we probably won’t make him and will try to piece together a home school program with a tutor (we live in a rural, small town).
Which Landmark? I will look at Salisbury. My older son has a friend there, I will email the mom.
Did you pick a school specific to your child’s LD, if s/he has one, or did you pick a general school with support? And why, if you don’t mind. And I will PM you. Thank you again.
Look into Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA (not too far from Eaglebrook), which has a fully staffed (5-6 I think), professional Center For Learning. WA is a boarding/day school of about 600+ students in grades 6-PG. Lovely historic urban campus, very accepting ad happy school community, and does great things with all kinds of learners.
I did look at Kent’s Hill @gardenstategal last December and if I remember correctly my issue at the time was that billing for 1:1 therapy for LD was by the hour. It suggested a couple of things: learning support not offered to everybody, so do the students who go in and get it feel singled-out, not integrated into rest of school, so that there are two student bodies? Second, all of staff and faculty probably do not get professional development for LD, so it probably doesn’t offer the understanding support that my child needs. Teenagers like to fit in and we are looking for a place where he feels accepted.
Also talked to AO at Salisbury. At first he seemed really excited then he realized that my son has a summer birthday and would be on the young side. That alone didn’t seem to be an issue but with LD not remediated, concern would be self confidence. AO encouraged us to apply after a year at a dedicated LD school. After talking to him though and getting his sense of excitement about the rest of my son’s profile, it gave me hope for more selective schools, IF we even decided that LD school is only a step to a more selective BS. That may not even be the case, we would prefer just one school. So for now, I don’t think we can even consider Trinity Pawling.
Yes @vegas1. Thanks for the recommendation. We already toured. He didn’t like it and his comfort level is important to us. We also think he needs more support than they can offer.
