What Can a Parent Do?

Private schools have always had the benefit of choosing which students they want to serve.  As voucher programs have accelerated, test pressures have driven more parents to consider private schools and the economy has improved, we have seen private schools be more selective.

This has impacted students in the following ways:

1. Some parents have contacted us because their child could not get into the private school of their choice.
2. Some private schools are requiring parents to invest in additional services.  These extra charges can amount to $6000, $10500 or even $14000 a year.
3. Some private schools have suggested parents find another school for their child, because the student ‘s reading comprehension was well below grade level, there were behavior issues, or both.
4. Some private schools are now recommending grade retention.

While these problems may be related to behavior challenges, they are often related to reading comprehension and other academic issues.

3D Learner’s approach to these challenges is to:

• First understand the parents’ goals and input, what other professionals have said and what the school has shared
• Assess the student’s reading speed and comprehension, attention, eye-tracking and anxiety levels
• We then consider the options
• We then lay out a plan designed to improve the child’s performance to achieve the desired outcome

Getting into Private Schools – Key Considerations  

• Private schools are going through a surge in demand, and are becoming much more selective
• This is even starting to impact families with a legacy at a school and where the parents have been very supportive – including board members
• This trend is likely to intensify as vouchers expand, public schools get squeezed and the demand for private school sports exceeds the spaces available

How 3D Learner Can Help

As you may know, 3D Learner was started when a Guidance Counselor told our daughter and us that she was not college material.  Our goal is to help you to find the best fit for your child. 

• We assess your child and provide options to improve performance
• Provide programs that can significantly impact your child’s performance
• Provide options, where appropriate
• Work with you to get the placement of your choice

We do not rely on school referrals, and this allows us to be as objective as possible.

Three examples of our successes

1. Parents of twins were told their children would not get accepted at a selective school and if they were, they would not succeed. We helped the students to dramatically improve their comprehension, attention, self-esteem and self-advocacy skills.  The twins excelled at the school and are now at Harvard and MIT
2. Parents on another student could not find the right school.  We recommended a school that fit the child’s learning style and character, and he did very well there
3. We have a parent whose child was a real behavior problem, and he needed the right school for him. We were able to recommend a school that was a good fit for him and where he was able to succeed

We tailor our approach to fit the student’s and families’ needs

Avoiding the Cost of Academies and Expensive Remediation Programs

Private Schools often pride themselves on being a year ahead of public or charter schools.  This puts the struggling student into a very difficult position.  The schools have responded by offering Academy or other options that offer smaller class sizes, a differentiated instruction and a more appropriate setting.

This can be a win-win-win for the student, parents and schools.  The challenge is these programs can be expensive and tend to lock a student in for years to come.  3D Learner has helped a number of students to who were in that position to:

• Be mainstreamed into the regular program at a private school
• Go from private schools to regular public schools and do well, and in one case, be accepted into a gifted program at a public school, where he excelled

We are very careful to differentiate cases, based on the individual student’s profile and what is right for your child.

We offer our traditional program and a more extensive program that can be tailored to your child’s needs. 

When a Private School Suggests a Parent Look Elsewhere

We have seen more cases lately where a parent is being told to look elsewhere and to find another school for their child.  This is a very difficult conversation for the parent and the private school administrator.  In all cases where this has happened, the problems were academic and/or behavior challenges.

This challenge is easier to overcome than the case of getting into a private school or getting out of a special education setting.  Our efforts start with:

• Defining the issue or issues
• Assessing the child
• Putting together options for the parents
• And, in some cases, discussing with the school to allow the student to return, if certain objectives are met

Until now, schools have been receptive to this approach.  We expect the surging demand for private school spots to increase the frequency this happens.

Academics are often far easier to address.  When there are behavior challenges, we often try to collaborate with a mental health professional where appropriate.

With our strength-based training and our expanded program options, we can help more students

Grade Retention in Private Schools

This has not happened very much in the past, but is a trend we are now seeing.  As with public schools, grade retention is often based on academic performance.

We have not had experience with this issue in private schools.  When faced with this challenge in public schools, our approach is to:

• Assess the child’s present level of performance
• Discuss what is needed for promotion
• See if this is attainable with the right help
• Consider what is best for the child
• Make appropriate recommendations

If you would like more help on these issues

• Call us at 561-361-7495
• Read more about our strength-based approach at Strength-based Training
• Take our on-line assessment at Success Assessment and then call us at 561-361-7495

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