We started out homeschooling, but he needed the structure of a formal school, and does much better being taught by someone else. I put him in our “good” public for 2nd grade, and he thrives in the environment, but isn’t having a great time socially (he hates sports, and it’s a very sports-oriented “jock” culture town), and I’m not happy with the academics. Our town’s MCAS scores are great, because there is so much drilling to the test. This is an MCAS year for him, so the drilling has already started.
He’s very smart, but has ADHD and anxiety, and I don’t think a pressure cooker environment is right for him (if there even are pressure cooker schools for kids his age). But I still want a strong academic program that will challenge him. I was incredibly disappointed with the academics at Milton, although it seemed like a warm and supportive place. But he’s also not very athletic, and I don’t think a preppy place like Thayer or Dexter are right for him. We’re looking at Thatcher Montessori, Fessenden, British School of Boston, and maybe BB&N. Other suggestions? We live towards the South Shore, but will figure out transportation later.
@Lachel How old is your kid?.Third grade is kind of young for a College prep and beyond site. I want you to know that my Son, during second and third grade, of Public School said he hated sports and reading books. I gave him an incentive to try to like books by sort of bribing ( I said that he could buy any book that he liked and a small treat) if he read 5 books. I also insisted that he chose to play one sport and only one sport of his choosing. I did say that he should make sure to research this sport because once he committed he must play for at least five years. It seemed to work even though we struggled to make sure he kept trying to read and play tennis throughout his entire Public School attendance . He tried to quit multiple times. His Public High School tennis team received the 2nd place State Tournament Trophy at Florida High School State Championships 2017, competing against a private Tennis School from Florida and because of his current love of books and academic achievements he is now at Princeton. ADHD, doesn’t need to be a label that defines your child. Many kids that I know that were diagnosed during very young adolescence are no longer experiencing this diagnosis. Stay Strong and don’t limit your kid. Private school might be too limiting since there are so many expectations placed on these kids.
Hi @Lachel Third grade is kind of young for posting on a pre college site. You should know that even if your child says now that they don’t like reading or sports that your child might change their mind with an incentive. My public schooled child needed this incentive to succeed. I gave him a reward in second grade after reading 5 books to purchase any book that he liked plus a small reward. I also taught him to like a sport by telling him how important physical activity is and asking him to pick one sport that he would commit to for five years. After reading several hundreds and possibly thousands of books during his public education and placing 2nd at The Florida High School Tennis Championships, even though he wanted to quit many times. My kid is now attending a great University. I’m sure that you want the best for your child. I have a couple of friends that children were diagnosed with ADHD in their early adolescent years that are no longer experiencing the symptoms as High schoolers and college students. Don’t let ADHD limit your child. Sports and reading might help as well as a consistent education where ever you chose.
I think he’s very smart, but I’m not sure he’d qualify for the Sage School. I’ll look a little more, though.
And I apologize if I misunderstood this board… I guess I didn’t realize there was a minimum age for talking about private schools. College Confidential is the only one I know about. Is there a better board to go to?
FWIW, I don’t particularly care if he likes or doesn’t like sports. But our community is very team sports-centric, and I think his disinterest is affecting him socially, and I don’t particularly want him in a very “jock” oriented environment, anyway. He plays a few town sports, but prefers dancing. He takes ballet and Irish step.
@Lachel there’s no age/grade limit to post to this forum. This is what the prep school forum is here for! None of my kids are big into sports either, we are in TX where football is king so totally get the “jock mentality”. I would never bribe or pressure a kid into a sport. My kids got plenty of exercise through PE classes and and running around and playing outside when they were younger. Now that they are high school age the do “fun” things for physical activities, fencing, hiking, rock climbing, cycling. Glad you son is into dance, I don’t think many people understand what a work out dance can be.
Hope you find a school that’s a good fit for your son!
Your good public school doesn’t have non jock kids? No band kids? Karate? Boy Scouts? Artistic kids? If you have a great public school, I would give it some more time and encourage your son to try different activities. I would not pigeon hole him as the non-athletic kid and encourage him to try different things. He can still be friends with athletic kids or make new friends that share similar activities.
Try Birches in Lincoln: very small good for non traditional learners ( and their non traditional parents) might/ might not work for you. It’s a real philosophy. Montessori is great. Just watch the fact that non traditional learners will always carry that experience with thrm. Hard to follow the rules later. I’d really consider this as he is so young and schools are quite different now. Agree with other poster do not attach yourself too much to the ADHD label. My nephew was labelled as such and is phenomenally successful.