<p>Interested in hearing thoughts on schools that might be a good fit for a gifted 10th grade boy who thrives on academic content/challenge/higher level thinking and synthesis but has ADHD/organization/anxiety issues/dyslexia? Areas of strength are science and math. Very active across many sports both team and individual; excellent skier but has never done so competitively. </p>
<p>Northeast/New England preferred but not locked in.</p>
<p>It will need to be just the right place. Graduation from independent junior boarding school where he is a day student is T minus 13 months away.........we have lots of homework to do though the wheels have been turning for months. We will start a drive-around tour next month......</p>
<p>Proctor is definitely on our list…:)</p>
<p>Am sure you have already done this but does your jr. Boarding school have a placement office? Presumably they would have a very good idea which schools would be a good fit…</p>
<p>Yes, have already done this. Just trying to information gather from as many sources as possible.</p>
<p>Consider Groton in MA. </p>
<p>If location matters less, you may find schools such as Thacher and Cate in CA very interesting. Both very small and friendly with excellent academics and athletics. </p>
<p>Thacher is famous for its outdoor programs as well as horse program. Cate has an excellent art and athletic programs. My son will start his 9th grade at Thacher this Fall. </p>
<p>We loved both schools equally because of their friendliness and family-like atmosphere and my son chose Thacher because he loves horses!</p>
<p>Phillips Exeter is appealing to many with ADD and ADHD because the classes are Harkness are discussion based, and small (max 12), and face to face, and thus much easier to get involved in and pay attention to compared to lectures. Organizational/learning strategy support is available. There is snow for skiing.</p>
<p>Exeter is also appealing to very bright kids, because there is pretty much unlimited academic challenge.</p>
<p>It depends on how much your son is able to ask for help when he needs it. I think this would be an important thing to consider with any 2E person considering leaving home and taking on a challenging new environment at any boarding school.</p>
<p>Berkshire has a learning center that you must apply to as they only accepted a limited number of students that need extra help. They also have a strong science and math program with some unique offerings and an amazing new science facility. A nurturing environment might help with anxiety. Sport facilities are some of the best in New England and skiing is a popular sport.</p>
<p>Visited Avon Old Farms for an eye to this same consideration and I know it will be on our list when the time comes.</p>
<p>I would not recommend either Exeter or Groton for a child who must develop strategies to handle “ADHD/organization/anxiety issues/dyslexia.” Any one of those challenges, maybe–with a great deal of work. All of them together, however, could be overwhelming at schools at which the workload is designed to push all students to their limits. Neither school is listed on Boarding School Review as supporting either ADD/ADHD or Learning Differences.</p>
<p>Possible schools: Phillips Andover. Their boarding school review profile lists “support ADD/ADHD.”<br>
Choate Rosemary Hall.</p>
<p>Listed on BSR as supporting Learning Differences (which should include dyslexia?) as well as ADD/ADHD:
Northfield Mount Hermon
Tilton
Putney
Brewster Academy
Vermont Academy</p>
<p>And yes, Proctor Academy. Try this search on BSR: [Boarding</a> School Search Results | BoardingSchoolReview.com](<a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/search-boarding-schools/0010/00010010000/10/2000/020]Boarding”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/search-boarding-schools/0010/00010010000/10/2000/020)</p>
<p>I agree that the academic pressures of those schools would crush him. However, he does best when he is given a great deal of higher academic content to spark him, coupled with a good support system. Therein lies my challenge.</p>
<p>If he goes to a school where it’s not cool to be smart…that will not be such a good fit for him, long term.</p>
<p>If the learning needs are really strong (especially dyslexia) you could look at the Landmark School. From the search that Periwinkle posted I would also suggest exploring Chapel Hill-Chauncey Hall. It is a small school on a nice campus. I also agree that the Berkshire School could be a good place to consider. We toured there last fall - I got the sense that there is a strong support, and there is a special program for kids who need extra. </p>
<p>I don’t know the academic culture at Landmark, but the other two I believe have kids who want to learn and an academic drive. You can look at the course catalog to get a sense of offerings. </p>
<p>Good luck with your search.</p>
<p>hkrgirl, I think your son’s junior boarding school’s placement officer is the person who will give you the best guidance, as long as that school knows his diagnosis. That counselor will know where their graduates with similar profiles did best.</p>
<p>I think you should reflect on, “If he goes to a school where it’s not cool to be smart…that will not be such a good fit for him, long term.” I don’t think such a school would be a good fit for any student. I also don’t think you’re likely to find such as school in the schools your junior boarding school recommends. Beware of people maligning schools they’ve never visited. </p>
<p>A friend of ours has a child much like your son. She was open with the schools while visiting about his challenges. She reported the schools varied widely in their interest in her child, merely from the parent acknowledging the issue. I believe there are children at ALL schools who have such challenges. The parents may not have told the schools, though. In earlier years, I would have said you should be open and up front about your son’s strengths and weaknesses. Now, I will only say you should ask your son’s current counselor for advice in how to approach the schools.</p>
<p>My friend found the schools very different in their approach to admission. For what it’s worth, I do think the best outcome is most likely to come at a school to which you could submit your son’s testing, etc., without fear.</p>
<p>Yes, I am aware that my son’s current school is well-suited to make great suggestions. As we are day parents, I know them quite well and speak with regularly. Just seeking a different perspective (parents of families who may have a child with a similar profile) as I assumed that was the purpose of this forum.</p>
<p>To the parents who private messaged me, THANK YOU…your thoughts and stories are invaluable. I am unable to respond via PM as I am new here and do not yet have the requisite number of posts.</p>
<p>Two schools that come to mind for your son are Millbrook and Marvelwood. I know families at both schools. They are worth a look. Good luck.</p>
<p>Four possible schools are Salisbury, Berkshire, Pomfret and Canterbury. All four have become very popular in recent years and I hear they’re increasingly difficult to get in to. Proctor is an excellent choice, too! </p>
<p>Periwinkle made some excellent points. Take heed!</p>
<p>Good luck with your search.</p>