I’m just looking for some advice from people who know the laws better than I do.
We have a very good public charter Montessori school in my city. Now is the open enrollment period for the next school year. My friend went there yesterday and was told that there is an opening in the Kindergarten classroom NOW, and she tried to enroll her son in it.
Her son was diagnosed recently with ADHD but hasn’t been taking medication because she lost her Medicaid insurance and can’t afford to pay for the medicine. She is eligible for Florida KidCare insurance, but they have a huge backlog so she doesn’t have it yet. He has been attending a regular public school kindergarten, and the teachers there are having a hard time dealing with him.
When the Montessori school found out about the ADHD and the fact that she currently has no insurance or medication, they refused to take him.
I feel that she has definitely been discriminated against, but we don’t know what to do from here.
Any advice?
Re: Socks--it is a public charter school
Don’t they have to follow the same rules as public schools?
Beth
Re: Friend's ADHD son denied admittance
I think even public charter schools may deny admission to students and there’s always a way for them to hide the fact that he was denied admission on the basis of his ADHD. While a lawyer is always willing to take the case, it’s not likely there will be timely solution to this. In the meantime, you might look around for attorneys who represent the parents of spec. ed students. In my city, there is a place where any parent can get legal advice for free on school related matters.
Check out or give a call to your nearest local chapter of C.H.A.D.D. You can find the website and your nearest chapter easily by doing a search on line.
Good luck.
Re: Friend's ADHD son denied admittance
Every child that I know that has ADHD ( my son does) has not done particularly well at the Montesorri school. Two boys I know were asked to leave either after preschool or during Kindergarten. The philosophy sounds so appealing to those of us moms searching for a perfect fit for our unique and creative yet not terribly compliant boys. However, it is devastating to be asked to leave a school because it does not work for your child so I would not be that concerned if you never even started. Many people rave about the schools but every Montesorri is different and it all comes down to the teachers and head of the school. good luck.
Re: Friend's ADHD son denied admittance
I have taught many, many ADHD kids in Montessori school and disagree that most don’t do well. Many do. In fact, many thrive. The ones who don’t are usually unmedicated. Because the structure within a Montessori classroom allows for more movement than in a traditional class, ADHD kids struggle knowing the boundaries between regular movement and movement that’s out-of-bounds for the situation.
It’s possible that the Montessori school doesn’t want an AHDH child because the school knows that these children usually need extra help, tutor, reading remediation, etc., and the school may not have the resources for this. Some Montessori schools operate within a tenuous budget and can’t allocate resources for this. Budget notwithstanding, I do know some Montessori schools that aren’t willing to take ADHD kids. I think they’re making a big mistake. Personally I love the ADHDers. Their energy level, enthusiasm and creativity, when channeled towards positive work, enrich the classroom. Most of the kids I tutor could be classified as ADHD and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Some are on medications; some are not. Nearly all attend the Montessori school and are productive, valued members of their class.
I like Montessori for ADHD kids. Even some of the kids who aren’t on medication can do well but it takes a gifted teacher, experienced with these kids, to make it work well. When the ADHD behavior is extreme, though, it’s very difficult for any teacher in any classroom of any kind anywhere.
The truth of the matter is that untreated ADHD kids struggle everywhere. The Montessori school is just being honest with you; unlike public schools they don’t have to keep every child who comes their way. The public school does. Those kids, in the public school setting, often get labeled as the “bully” or “crazy” or something equally bad. It’s a sad but true fact. The parents may not know that.
At least in a good Montessori school, the teachers will strive very hard to prevent any child from being tagged with any label. Also, most Montessori teachers are well-trained in positive methods of dealing with disciplinary problems so that a child doesn’t feel constantly suppressed or beaten down.
If it is truely a private school,they can do anything they want to do.If they recieve any federal funding they are obligated to provide reasonable accomodations,but at the parents expense. If this mom can not afford medication,how will she pay for school? If she is in Florida she might consider applying for medipass emergency care while she is waiting for medicaid.