Many students have diagnoses such as ADHD, anxiety, learning delays, physical disabilities, special medical needs or behavioral issues. Other children have special talents they want to nurture or learning styles that require additional time or resources in the classroom. Whatever your child’s special needs, it’s best to talk about them honestly to schools you are considering and early in the process.
Consider asking the school the below questions related to your child:
- How does the school endeavor to meet your child’s needs?
- If your child has a 504 or IEP from a public school, will this school work with your child to set up a similar program?
- How does this school handle absences due to issues related to my child’s special needs?
- How will the school communicate if there is a problem?
- What do you see as the school’s strengths and weaknesses with working with special needs students?
- Will my child have a counselor to work with my child’s unique needs?
If your child is not admitted, it may mean the school doesn’t have the facilities or expertise to meet your child’s needs. Available, state mandated, programs available public schools may not translate to a private school setting.
If the school seems like a good fit, ask to speak to 2-3 parents who have children with similar situations at the school. Ask these families what their experience has been like, what challenges they have encountered and if the school worked with them to find a quality solution. Would the parents recommend the school?
Keep notes on every conversation you have, and look for consistency in the answers. This information should help you narrow your list of possible schools.
