Need Advice Private school for 6yr old with IEP

closing topic!

 

Are you sure it was because of the IEP? I'm not familiar with any school, even private, that has school curriculum during the summer months. Maybe that's why they declined?

 

Being a former child care teacher and a parent to a 6 year old with an IEP, I have encountered those road blocks too. My son has been at LaPetite since he started preschool with Loudoun County. I will be moving him come next school year because he will be attending Hillside, I am looking into Kiddie Academy and think that will be where we end up. As far as private schools, I am not familiar, have you tried Virginia Academy or the Montessori school over off Portsmouth, near Belmont Station Elem?? Not sure about either one of them.

 

Virginia Academy only does summer camp during the summer months.

 

Another option is a tutor of the summer, just a thought!

 

I cannot imagine that Open Arms would deny you a tour based on your daughter's needs. It is a very inclusive and accommodating school.
It is also a school that is highly regarded and fills up quickly. Perhaps there were not enough spaces available for outside students at this time?
Can you clarify what you were told, because I'm confused as to why you believed your daughter was "declined"?

During the summer, Open Arms conducts a "Summer Camp" http://www.openarms-ccdc.org/summercamp.php), which would provide enrichment opportunities for students...but not the traditional school curriculum you are looking for. Also, Golden Pond does not currently have a summer program (according to their website), so that could be the reason you were not given a tour at this time.

I care a lot about Open Arms and hate to see negative things written about it when I'm not sure they are warranted.
I do wish you the best of luck in your search, and I hope you find something for your daughter!

Laura Erickson
(Teacher at Open Arms and mother of a daughter with an IEP)

 

If your daughter has an IEP, have you discussed ESY options with your case manager? It's a team decision but if your daughter qualifies (there are many criteria that need to be met), there are various programs the county can offer to you.

If ESY is not on the table, might I suggest some summer camps in the area? It's been many years but when my daughter was entering kindergarten, she attended both a camp at the Douglass Community Center in Leesburg and also the day camp that Foxcroft school runs. That particular camp has changed quite a bit since then but I still hear good things about it. Depending upon your daughter's needs, you might also look into the options with the county's Adaptive Recreation department where they specialize in kids with various disabilities at many different levels. In all of these types of programs, they will be working on many of the skills you need going in to kindergarten - taking turns, waiting in line, playing well with others. I loved the summers for my daughter because it was a time for her to get to be a kid instead of working constantly, worrying about reading and math.

 

My child does not have an IEP, but our family's personal experience with Virginia Academy was horrible. We have a healthy and active little boy and the school's instruction and classroom set-up was very restrictive for children with energy, imagination and lots of questions. We are very involved with all of our kids schools, and tried to work with Virginia Academy but there was a definite rub and we decided to move our son to County Christian School (CCS). We LOVE CCS, the administration and its teachers. As believers in Christ, it was important for us to have our son at a school that excelled academically but more importantly taught AND demonstrated biblical beliefs and teachings. With that said, CCS has a summer camp that is currently enrolling: http://www.edline.net/pages/CountyChristianSchool/web_resourses_2/1747121310812652322. Best wishes in your search!