If you have a infant, toddler or a child about to start school, you'll want to look at this page. The County Intervention Office has been wonderful to our family in guiding us to the right school for our son. He attended a small special ed. preschool program in Arlington when he was three. It was a high functioning class and it was a good experience for him. That summer he attended a County summer school program at a different school. He lucked out by having his original preschool teacher for part of that summer session and thrived within the small class of six students with varying disabilities. The following year he went back to the county preschool with his teacher and some new friends and his old friends. This class was not as high functioning and slightly bigger. Some of the students didn't speak and our then very shy four year old son just didn't know how to handle it. He developed his own behavior issues. We met with his team teachers and came up with a plan. It resulted in sending him to another school that had an opening. The Reed School, part of Arlington County's Special Education Program's Integrated Classroom. He was one of 14 students in the class, 10 were "regular ed." and 4 including our son had some type of special needs, although I could never figure out who the others were because it was a high functioning class. I'll never forget, the first time we visited the school. We'd never been there or had met any of the teachers or kids. It was one of the boys birthday and they had set up a Pinata filled with candy for the kids to hit. Our son shouts out to the birthday boy, whom he had just met 30 seconds before, "hit it hard, hit it really hard!" I was totally shocked at my usually quiet, shy boy being so spontaneous! After we left, I asked him if he thought that he'd like to go to that school and he said yes. I asked why and he said, "because they all talk." I nearly drove off the road. Our son has thrived at Reed since day one. I've often said that he was "reborn into this happy, fun, loving, confident four year old boy," since he joined their family. I can't stress enough the importance of talking to your County Intervention Office. Their job is to help you and your family find the best school setting for your child. I've listed the State sites to start with. The other schools are ones that I've heard about and have been recommended to me by other families. VIRGINIA Virginia Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218, 804-225-3252, www.doe.virginia.gov Oakwood School, 7210 Braddock Rd., Annandale, VA, 22003, 703-941-5788, www.oakwoodschool.com An independent day school offering a multisensory educational program for average to gifted children with learning differences. Serving grades K-8. Paladin -at Chesterbrook Academy, www.chesterbrookacademy.com Day school for students with mild to moderate learning challenges, grades K-8. In VA: Chantilly, 703-397-0555; Sterling, 703-404-0202 The Auburn School Opening Fall 2008 in Northern Virginia, 703-671-8316, admissions@theauburnschool.org will offer a stimulating educational program for intellectually engaged students with challenges in the areas of communication, socialization, language, and organization. Our program is appropriate for students who can learn successfully and appropriately in a small classroom setting. Auburn’s program will simultaneously support the development of academic skills, social competency and pragmatic language in an engaging educational environment. To achieve this mission, The Auburn School will: * Offer a safe, nurturing and highly personalized learning environment for children through small class sizes, individualized learning plans and a supportive school setting; * Provide a challenging academic curriculum featuring multi-sensory instruction, research-based curriculum and appropriate student accommodations; * Integrate social skills and language development throughout the curriculum and school day using research-based programs and educational best-practices; * Identify and develop individual student strengths, talents and interests; * Seek out, employ and support the very best educators and staff. MARYLAND Maryland State Department of Education, 200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-767-0261, www.marylandpublicschools.org Basic Concepts, 966 Hungerford Dr., #7, Rockville, MD, 240-447-8013, www.basicconcepts.org Specializing in the treatment and diagnosis of children who exhibit speech, language, social and academic difficulties. We offer full- and half-day summer camps for children ages 3-9. Norbel School, 6135 Old Washington Rd., Elkridge, MD 21075410-796- 6700, www.norbelschool.org Norbel offers an innovative, individualized educational environment for students in elementary through high school with average to above average intellect who have learning differences. School Support Services, LLC, 4701 Sangamore Rd., Suite 135-S Bethesda, MD 20816, 301-656-5200, www.schoolsupportservices.net Psychological evaluation, organizational coaching and case management consultation. Success Lab Learning Centers, www.successlabs.com Addresses academic problem areas & foundational skills essential to lifelong learning, confidence & success. Individualized instruction. Development of visual & auditory processing skills, sensory integration & cognitive abilities. In VA: Alexandria, 703-461-0808; Ashburn, 703-723- 6200; Fairfax, 703-425-2727; Herndon/Reston, 703-467-9600. In MD: Germantown, 301-528-9360; Olney, 301-774-9393. TLC - The Treatment and Learning Centers, 2301 Research Blvd., Ste. 110, Rockville, MD, 20850, 301-424-5200, www.ttlc.org Educational testing/tutoring/counseling, speech-language therapy & evaluation, occupational therapy & evaluation, audiology services. Ivymount School, 11614 Seven Lock Rd., Rockville, MD, 301-469-0223, www.ivymount.org Special educational program, which incorporates therapeutic services including speech/language therapy, occupational/physical therapy for students ages 4-21. Tutoring and individualized therapy available. The SEED School of Maryland The SEED School of Maryland is a new statewide college-preparatory public boarding school that will open in August 2008. The school will initially enroll 80 sixth-graders, and grow to serve up to 400 students in grades six through twelve. SEED is a unique opportunity for students to get a tuition-free college-prep boarding education. The state-funded school is authorized and funded by the Maryland General Assembly, and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will oversee the development and monitoring of the school and will hold it accountable to state and federal standards. The school will build on the success of The SEED School of Washington, DC-the nation's only public urban boarding school. The SEED Foundation launched The SEED School ten years ago and is working with MSDE to develop the new school in Maryland. Academic curriculum, life skills, and enrichment activities: SEED integrates a rigorous academic curriculum with life skills and enrichment activities. Students and their families commit to an intensive seven-year program that offers small class sizes, clearly defined standards, mentorship, community service, and extracurricular activities. Students also develop social skills and learn SEED's core values: self-discipline, compassion, integrity, self-respect, and responsibility. SEED partners with parents, families, and communities to support student success. The school follows a typical academic year calendar. The campus community: SEED will be located in southwest Baltimore on the former campus of Southwestern High School. The 52-acre campus will include dormitories, faculty and staff housing, athletic and recreational facilities, and academic/administra tion buildings. All SEED students live on campus in college-style dormitories from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon, returning home on the weekends. SEED has a high staff-to-student ratio, and provides a safe and supportive environment for student's 24-hours a day. SEED staff will also work with families to help facilitate transportation to and from campus each week. Enrolling in SEED: The SEED School of Maryland is currently recruiting its first class of 80 sixth graders to begin in August 2008. SEED seeks students and families that will commit to a seven-year journey from sixth grade to college, and for whom a free boarding school will be a key factor for their school success. To qualify for admission, students must: • Be a Maryland resident entering the sixth grade; and • Have experienced academic and environmental challenges that hinder their ability to complete high school and attend college. SEED expects that the number of applications will exceed the space available and that the school will hold a lottery to determine enrollment. For additional application and admissions information, please e-mail mdadmissions@ seedfoundation. com or call (410)662-4646 or toll free 1-888-5SEED- MD. Friendship School, 1545 Progress Way, Eldersburg, MD 21784, 410-522-6880, www.friendshipschool.org Friendship School serves as the Laboratory school for Margaret Byrd Rawson Institute, (MBRI). MBRI was founded in 2001 by Margaret byrd Rawson, a pioneer and renowned expert in the field of dyslexia. Its purpose is to provide on going teacher training and scholarships, as well as outreach in the filed of dyslexic eduction. Working together the Friendship School and Margaret Byrd Rawson Institute serve as a model of the best practice for dyslexic education and as a resource center, providing extensive outreach to the region. OUr mission is to provide the most comprehensive education experience for dysexic students Our WASHINGTON, D.C. District of Columbia Department of Education, 825 N. Capitol St, NE, Washington, DC 20002, 202-442-4289, www.k12.dc.us The School Counseling Group, 4725 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Washington, DC 202-333-3530, www.schoolcounseling.com Providing educational counseling to American and international families since 1979 from traditional to therapeutic, from PreK through college. National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children, 1522 K Street, NW, Suite 1032, Washington, DC 20005, 202- 408-3338, www.napsec.org Provides referrals to private special education programs. Kingsbury, 5000 14th St., NW, Washington, DC, 20011, 202-722-5555, www.kingsbury.org Kingsbury offers the Washington region: K-12 day school for learning disabled children, diagnostic/admissions testing and tutoring. The Lab School of Washington, 4759 Reservoir Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-965-6600, www.labschool.org Multifaceted programs for LD/ADHD. Day school (ages 5-18), tutoring services, adult night school, psychological services, OT, speech and language evaluations and treatment. The River School, 4880 MacArthur Boulevard, NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-337-3554, www.riverschool.net Founded in 1999, the River School is proud to provide successful educational experiences for children and their families by uniting the best practices of early childhood education and oral deaf education, while promoting clinical research and training in child language and literacy. The River School is a model school for best practices in both early childhood and elementary education. Five universities in the region now send their graduate students to the River School for internships and training. Our faculty has been invited as speakers to regional, national, and international conferences. Public schools in the region have begun to integrate the philosophy and practices of the River School into their own programs as a result of our model and have come to the River School to receive training. Regional leaders in early childhood and international visitors have come to observe our programs and learn from our faculty. |
SCHOOLS
If you have a infant, toddler or a child about to start school, you'll want to look at this page. The County Intervention Office has been wonderful to our family in guiding us to the right school for our son. He attended a small special ed. preschool program in Arlington when he was three. It was a high functioning class and it was a good experience for him. That summer he attended a County summer school program at a different school. He lucked out by having his original preschool teacher for part of that summer session and thrived within the small class of six students with varying disabilities. The following year he went back to the county preschool with his teacher and some new friends and his old friends. This class was not as high functioning and slightly bigger. Some of the students didn't speak and our then very shy four year old son just didn't know how to handle it. He developed his own behavior issues. We met with his team teachers and came up with a plan. It resulted in sending him to another school that had an opening. The Reed School, part of Arlington County's Special Education Program's Integrated Classroom. He was one of 14 students in the class, 10 were "regular ed." and 4 including our son had some type of special needs, although I could never figure out who the others were because it was a high functioning class. I'll never forget, the first time we visited the school. We'd never been there or had met any of the teachers or kids. It was one of the boys birthday and they had set up a Pinata filled with candy for the kids to hit. Our son shouts out to the birthday boy, whom he had just met 30 seconds before, "hit it hard, hit it really hard!" I was totally shocked at my usually quiet, shy boy being so spontaneous! After we left, I asked him if he thought that he'd like to go to that school and he said yes. I asked why and he said, "because they all talk." I nearly drove off the road. Our son has thrived at Reed since day one. I've often said that he was "reborn into this happy, fun, loving, confident four year old boy," since he joined their family. I can't stress enough the importance of talking to your County Intervention Office. Their job is to help you and your family find the best school setting for your child. I've listed the State sites to start with. The other schools are ones that I've heard about and have been recommended to me by other families. VIRGINIA Virginia Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218, 804-225-3252, www.doe.virginia.gov Oakwood School, 7210 Braddock Rd., Annandale, VA, 22003, 703-941-5788, www.oakwoodschool.com An independent day school offering a multisensory educational program for average to gifted children with learning differences. Serving grades K-8. Paladin -at Chesterbrook Academy, www.chesterbrookacademy.com Day school for students with mild to moderate learning challenges, grades K-8. In VA: Chantilly, 703-397-0555; Sterling, 703-404-0202 The Auburn School www.theauburnschool .org The Auburn School, Allison Ober, Admissions Office, 1350 Beverly Road Suite 115, #461, McLean, VA 22101-3633, 703-967-2462 admissions@theauburnschool.org The Auburn School will offer a stimulating educational program for intellectually engaged students with challenges in the areas of communication, socialization, language, and organization. Our program is appropriate for students who can learn successfully and appropriately in a small classroom setting. Auburn’s program will simultaneously support the development of academic skills, social competency and pragmatic language in an engaging educational environment. To achieve this mission, The Auburn School will: * Offer a safe, nurturing and highly personalized learning environment for children through small class sizes, individualized learning plans and a supportive school setting; * Provide a challenging academic curriculum featuring multi-sensory instruction, research-based curriculum and appropriate student accommodations; * Integrate social skills and language development throughout the curriculum and school day using research-based programs and educational best-practices; * Identify and develop individual student strengths, talents and interests; * Seek out, employ and support the very best educators and staff. Commonwealth Academy, 1321 Leslie Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301, 703-548-6912, www.commonwealthacademy.org, cathy_Feehan@commonwealthacademy.org Commonwealth Academy is a co-educational college preparatory day school for average to superior middle and high school students who benefit from small classes and instruction designed to address various learning styles, including those who have organizational, attention, or learning differences. We empower students to reach their highest achievement levels, reflective of their true potential, by teaching personal responsibility for learning and behavior in a comfortable community, conducive to academic risk-taking and social success. We offer a broad-based curriculum, compensatory strategies, and a focus on technology to prepare our students for the challenges of college, career, and life pursuits. MARYLAND Maryland State Department of Education, 200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-767-0261, www.marylandpublicschools.org Basic Concepts, 966 Hungerford Dr., #7, Rockville, MD, 240-447-8013, www.basicconcepts.org Specializing in the treatment and diagnosis of children who exhibit speech, language, social and academic difficulties. We offer full- and half-day summer camps for children ages 3-9. Norbel School, 6135 Old Washington Rd., Elkridge, MD 21075, 410-796-6700, www.norbelschool.org Norbel offers an innovative, individualized educational environment for students in elementary through high school with average to above average intellect who have learning differences. School Support Services, LLC, 4701 Sangamore Rd., Suite 135-S Bethesda, MD 20816, 301-656-5200, www.schoolsupportservices.net Psychological evaluation, organizational coaching and case management consultation. Success Lab Learning Centers, www.successlabs.com Addresses academic problem areas & foundational skills essential to lifelong learning, confidence & success. Individualized instruction. Development of visual & auditory processing skills, sensory integration & cognitive abilities. In VA: Alexandria, 703-461-0808; Ashburn, 703-723-6200; Fairfax, 703-425-2727; Herndon/Reston, 703-467-9600. In MD: Germantown, 301-528-9360; Olney, 301-774-9393. TLC - The Treatment and Learning Centers, 2301 Research Blvd., Ste. 110, Rockville, MD, 20850, 301-424-5200, www.ttlc.org Educational testing/tutoring/counseling, speech-language therapy & evaluation, occupational therapy & evaluation, audiology services. Ivymount School, 11614 Seven Lock Rd., Rockville, MD, 301-469-0223, www.ivymount.org Special educational program, which incorporates therapeutic services including speech/language therapy, occupational/physical therapy for students ages 4-21. Tutoring and individualized therapy available. The Katherine Maddux School, 11614 Seven Lock Rd., Rockville, MD, 301-469-0223, www.ivymount.org The Maddux School serves children, ages 3 1/2 – 5, experiencing difficulties in some or all of the following areas: *Sensory Integration *Pragmatic Language *Fine/gross motor *Play Strategies The Maddux School offers: *Small class size *Accommodations for different learning styles *Instruction by experienced early childhood teachers *Therapeutic support from speech and occupational therapists *A parent partnership model. For more information, please contact Andrea Mullins, The Maddux School Director at 301-469-0223 The SEED School of Maryland The SEED School of Maryland is a new statewide college-preparatory public boarding school that will open in August 2008. The school will initially enroll 80 sixth-graders, and grow to serve up to 400 students in grades six through twelve. SEED is a unique opportunity for students to get a tuition-free college-prep boarding education. The state-funded school is authorized and funded by the Maryland General Assembly, and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will oversee the development and monitoring of the school and will hold it accountable to state and federal standards. The school will build on the success of The SEED School of Washington, DC- the nation's only public urban boarding school. The SEED Foundation launched The SEED School ten years ago and is working with MSDE to develop the new school in Maryland. Academic curriculum, life skills, and enrichment activities: SEED integrates a rigorous academic curriculum with life skills and enrichment activities. Students and their families commit to an intensive seven-year program that offers small class sizes, clearly defined standards, mentorship, community service, and extracurricular activities. Students also develop social skills and learn SEED's core values: self-discipline, compassion, integrity, self-respect, and responsibility. SEED partners with parents, families, and communities to support student success. The school follows a typical academic year calendar. The campus community: SEED will be located in southwest Baltimore on the former campus of Southwestern High School. The 52-acre campus will include dormitories, faculty and staff housing, athletic and recreational facilities, and academic/administra tion buildings. All SEED students live on campus in college-style dormitories from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon, returning home on the weekends. SEED has a high staff-to-student ratio, and provides a safe and supportive environment for student's 24-hours a day. SEED staff will also work with families to help facilitate transportation to and from campus each week. Enrolling in SEED: The SEED School of Maryland is currently recruiting its first class of 80 sixth graders to begin in August 2008. SEED seeks students and families that will commit to a seven-year journey from sixth grade to college, and for whom a free boarding school will be a key factor for their school success. To qualify for admission, students must: • Be a Maryland resident entering the sixth grade; and • Have experienced academic and environmental challenges that hinder their ability to complete high school and attend college. SEED expects that the number of applications will exceed the space available and that the school will hold a lottery to determine enrollment. For additional application and admissions information, please e-mail mdadmissions@seedfoundation.com or call (410)662-4646 or toll free 1- 888-5SEED- MD. Friendship School, 1545 Progress Way, Eldersburg, MD 21784, 410-522-6880, www.friendshipschool.org Friendship School serves as the Laboratory school for Margaret Byrd Rawson Institute, (MBRI). MBRI was founded in 2001 by Margaret byrd Rawson, a pioneer and renowned expert in the field of dyslexia. Its purpose is to provide on going teacher training and scholarships, as well as outreach in the filed of dyslexic eduction. Working together the Friendship School and Margaret Byrd Rawson Institute serve as a model of the best practice for dyslexic education and as a resource center, providing extensive outreach to the region. Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive education experience for dyslexic students while educating teachers in the area of dyslexic education. Teachers can begin to provide the services dyslexic students need within the public education system. WASHINGTON, D.C. District of Columbia Department of Education, 825 N. Capitol St, NE, Washington, DC 20002, 202-442-4289, www.k12.dc.us The School Counseling Group, 4725 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Washington, DC 202-333-3530, www.schoolcounseling.com Providing educational counseling to American and international families since 1979 from traditional to therapeutic, from PreK through college. National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children, 1522 K Street, NW, Suite 1032, Washington, DC 20005, 202- 408-3338, www.napsec.org Provides referrals to private special education programs. Kingsbury, 5000 14th St., NW, Washington, DC, 20011, 202-722-5555, www.kingsbury.org Kingsbury offers the Washington region: K-12 day school for learning disabled children, diagnostic/admissions testing and tutoring. The Lab School of Washington, 4759 Reservoir Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-965-6600, www.labschool.org Multifaceted programs for LD/ADHD. Day school (ages 5-18), tutoring services, adult night school, psychological services, OT, speech and language evaluations and treatment. The River School, 4880 MacArthur Boulevard, NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-337-3554, www.riverschool.net Founded in 1999, the River School is proud to provide successful educational experiences for children and their families by uniting the best practices of early childhood education and oral deaf education, while promoting clinical research and training in child language and literacy. The River School is a model school for best practices in both early childhood and elementary education. Five universities in the region now send their graduate students to the River School for internships and training. Our faculty has been invited as speakers to regional, national, and international conferences. Public schools in the region have begun to integrate the philosophy and practices of the River School into their own programs as a result of our model and have come to the River School to receive training. Regional leaders in early childhood and international visitors have come to observe our programs and learn from our faculty. |
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