I am really in a dilemma on this one. My ld son can continue going to the Montessori school through 6th grade (where he has been since 3rd grade and continue with the teacher he has had since 4th grade-its a 4th-5th-6th grade class) or being middle school with the other 6th graders. His current teacher knows him well and I know he will be fine there, but I know that he might have problems when he starts 7th grade as a “new” student.
The Montessori school has not been very beneficial for him except that it is a smaller school and the teachers know him. We have been going outside to get his help. He is currently going through Master the Code. He was also tested for LD through our school district which the Montessori school is not that impressed with and it’s hard to get them to follow the IEP, but they do with my help.
I’d just like to get some feedback/opinions on the adjustment of going to a new school with the mass of students going at the same time (6th grade) or being one of the few to start in 7th grade, especially with his LD issues.
gk
Re: Continue with Montessori or start 6th grade in public mi
It’s a tough call. I take school one year at a time but everyone has their own approach. If he’s happy and comfortable in his current school, I’d be inclined to eke one more year out of it. Why not have him visit the other school? You could visit as well. See if you like it well enough to give up a year in a small school that’s comfortable for him. If you do like it that well, that’s says a lot about his new school.
Good luck.
Strategies for public middle school -
Set up a meeting with
his would be assigned counselor and the SE teacher for 6th grade
at the public school.
Have your son take a tour of the school. Usually they have
‘natural helpers’ kinds of kids to do this.
Ask what kind of program they would recommend
based on his IEP (send copies ahead of time).
Also ask which teachers are the best to work with
LD kids, teachers that are patient, encouraging and
supportive. Then request those teachers, don’t take
no for an answer.
Meet with those teachers in the week or two before
school starts. One on one. Talk to them about your
son’s LD and let them know he is fully supported at
home and with whatever you are doing outside of
school.
Give them your home and work phones, email addresses
and ask them to contact you at any time for anything.
Contact them at the first sign that you see trouble. Be
positive and have good humor. But be persistent as h*ll.
When asking for changes in regular ed, inform the SE teacher,
who will probably be his ‘case manager’ and the counselor.
Middle school is a real challenge for LD kids and parents.
Keep on doing things outside of school for remediation,
its all in the luck of the draw what kind of assistance they
can offer you. Some are good, some are awful and most
fall inbetween.
Anne