Landmark College Summer Program

Parents Forum Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD
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<p>My son just returned from the Landmark College summer program for high school sophomores and juniors with ADHD or Learning Disabilties/Differences (LD).</p>

<p>Others on this board have asked about this program, and I haven’t seen any answers, so I thought I’d share his experiences.</p>

<p>First of all, he loved it, and didn’t want to leave (the program lasts three weeks). </p>

<p>Before he went there, he was hesitant to go away for that long a period, and wanted to know if he could come home on weekends (we live locally). The Dean told us that he could come home on weekends if he wished, but they recommended that the kids stay during the weekends. He wound up wanting to stay there throughout the program; he didn’t even call us after the first night, and we rarely heard from him via email or Facebook during the program (which was great – we wanted him to be able to manage on his own).</p>

<p>Perhaps for the first time in his life, he was with a group of kids who were like him. All had struggled in school, and had to deal with the issues that LD and ADHD kids deal with, including feeling behind, overwhelmed or not good enough. Most of the kids made friends very quickly, and he said most were friendly. </p>

<p>Some of the kids there have really struggled academically. My son learned his ACT score – 23 – while he was there, and was disappointed. Other kids there thought that was great. </p>

<p>In case you’re worried that this is a program filled with wild, hyperactive, out-of-control kids, fear not. The staff takes pretty care of the kids, and keeps the problem kids under control. My son said that the other kids will not permit a kid who is an over-the-top jerk to continue that behavior – the kids would stop them. The school did send a couple kids home (out of 90 kids) for behavior problems during the program, so they don’t put up with a lot of nonsense. The kids wouldn’t have gotten away with any of the mischievous, Animal House-style stunts that were pulled when I was in college, and they didn’t even try to do them. They keep an eye on them. </p>

<p>They have three classes a day, with a very long lunch break in between. They also have structured activities in the afternoon, and again after supper, with free time after 9PM. They make sure the kids are in their rooms by midnight.</p>

<p>They also have weekend activities that included a trip to an amusement park, whitewater rafting, plus a trip to the nearby town of Brattleboro (the campus is located in the tiny town of Putney, and the kids aren’t permitted off campus, anyway).</p>

<p>The coursework isn’t difficult, and my son said that the homework is optional. They teach the kids some skills, such as using a SmartPen, Dragon Dictate, notetaking, how to skim reading material effectively, and how to get organized to study properly. They also teach the kids about how the brain works, and about the different types of learning disabilities.</p>

<p>If you’re looking for a 3-week course in which your kid finally learns to read or do math, that’s not going to happen here (or anywhere, for that matter). This is only three weeks. The program gives the kids a sampling of college life – they get used to living away from home. Most kids with a learning disability are confused enough when they first live away from home. For a kid with ADHD or LD, it can be thoroughly terrifying.</p>

<p>The program isn’t cheap – it costs $4800, but there is scholarship help available. Some kids got a full ride, I was told. Call the financial aid department and plead your case if you need money – they will probably give you more if you ask.</p>

<p>I would describe the program as part academic and a bit of summer camp at the same time. I’d also say it is a worthwhile confidence builder.</p>

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<p>Thanks for this info, Boondocks.</p>

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<p>I really appreciated your report on Landmark College. I was fully prepared to send my NLD grandson there in 2012. However, I stumbled on “Youtube-Vermontlandmarkcollege” date: October 16, 2009 with 6 videos. I was very unhappy with the calibre of students on the videos. My grandson has little “street smarts” and I felt that atmosphere could be harmful to him. He is very friendly and is always trying to fit in. He has been sucessful in his very structured boarding highschool. I decided to look elsewhere for college even though Landmark was my first choice. Perhaps I should reconsider.</p>

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<p>nankw, I looked at the video and I can see what you mean! I would have felt the same way after seeing that. I am wondering if you called the admissions office and spoke to them about your concerns and asked also that your grandson be placed with kids more like him (friendly, little street smarts) maybe they would work with you. If you are going to pay big bucks for something like this you want it to improve your grandson’s life, not expose him to “stuff” that is not in his best interest. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I can’t speak about Landmark College’s regular program for college kids - my son attended the summer program for high school students, which is segregated from the college students. I would certainly recommend that program to other high school kids with ADHD or an LD.</p>

<p>By the same token, I wouldn’t rank a place based on some Youtube videos. Anyone can put (almost) anything on Youtube; anyone can put anything on the internet, as well, even people who have no connection to the school and claim to have it. Idiot postings on the internet and rumors that have extended from them have 25% of the people in the United States believing that Barack Obama is a Muslim.</p>

<p>I could write down a dozen absolutely true things that certain friends did in college or that the jerk across the hall from me did in college that would make you very nervous and make you swear that you would never send your kid to my college - Princeton. Many college kids do stupid things, and some college kids are real jerks. Goofy things happen at all college campuses.</p>

<p>Find some other ways to check out Landmark College. Personally, I wouldn’t even think of spending the kind of money it takes to pay for virtually any college without me visiting it and sniffing it out pretty carefully, and also having my son spend a class day and a weekend night there (such as a Friday and then a weekend). Look under the hood carefully before spending $58,000 a year.</p>

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<p>it was way better then school way less drama and i learned alot</p>