Seeking Private Kindergarten for Speech Delayed Son

Hi L.,

My kids go to Treetops school in Euless. It's a charter school - no fees, they accept kids from lots of school districts including Grapevine/Colleyville. The classes are smaller than public school and they really work with the kids at all different levels. It's in a lovely setting - lots of trees and space, they do a lot of things outside and "hands on". I have an 11 year old who was struggling in public school and I really believe it was partly the distraction of 500+ other kids (plus being a typical 11 year old whose mind is on all kinds of things other than school work!). He has really improved since we moved him last year. Their website is www.treetops.org or you can call Leigh at ###-###-####. If you have any other questions feel free to email me.

Judi

For speech issues the BEST place in the metroplex is Callier in Dallas.. http://www.callier.utdallas.edu/preschool.html
They have 2 different classes. One where sign language is the "language" of choice and one with them combined. There is a ton of interaction and they always have 2 people in the room at all times. Their program is absolutely PHENOMENAL. And your son sounds like someone who would benefit greatly from their program. You should make an appointment and go check them out. I know that it is a bit of a drive, but I can tell you it will be completely worth it. you might even be interested in sending him for preschool now. They do wonderful things to help get from the visual to the verbal. Their kindergarten program is geared to help those with hearing and speech issues to be able to fully integrate with the public schools by 1st grade. I can't tell you enough about what an AWESOME program this is. My 8 year old went there for preschool when he was 2 and 3. He still remembers that he was the blue wagon (they give them symbols to help them learn the concept of letters) and remembers so many other things that he learned there. :o)

I have heard positive things about Barbara Gordon Montessori in Colleyville. From what I understand, Montessori is excellent for children with learning differences or those whose learning styles don't mesh with the standard way of delivering instruction.

http://www.bgmontessori.org/montessori.html

The Flint Academy in Arlington is an excellent school, and accepting of a variety of student needs. It is a "PK-12th grade, regular, college-prep" school which also accepts students with special learning needs---a full inclusion school. It is also a classical, Christian school using the Charlotte Mason educational approach. It might be a bit far for you in Colleyville, but we have other families who drive from your area. It is well worth it. Also it is just 4 days a week and starts at 9:30 (for all grade levels) making it easier to get to school. You can find out about it at www.FlintAcademy.com

I don't know how far you would be willing to drive, but there is a wonderful preschool in Highland Village that I believe (?) has kindergarten. It is called DKH Academy and it is run by a Speech Therapist. I am an Occupational Therapist and another OT and myself inserviced their staff a couple of years ago. I was really impressed with their program!!!

Hi L.,

Due to having late summer birthdays, both of my sons attended Private Kindergarten at Children's Courtyard on Glade and 121. It was a very good experience for both. They could have gone on to public 1st grade from there since it is an accredited program but we chose to have them repeat Kindergarten in the public school. Going into public kinder already reading at a high level gave them both a boost of confidence, which is always a good thing!

Talk to Jennifer and tell her M. Curtin sent you. I know you will be pleased with what they offer. Their phone number is ###-###-####.

Blessings,

M.
"My son eats all his veggies now. Even the green ones!"
Click on my profile to discover how we did it

My son goes to Discovery School at Smithfield Methodist Church. He is speech delayed as well and we noticed a big improvement since his first year there. They are only Tues-Thursday. But it is more hours per week than half day Kindergarten in KISD. They have a great curriculum and wonderful teachers.

I know they have a separate kindergarten class in Arlington for kids who need speech help. Have you checked for this in Colleyville?

Even if you do go to a private kindergarten, do have the local school district evaluate your son. You will get feedback on the type of class they would recommend and the types of services they'd recommend.

check out The Hill School in Grapevine. It's geared towards children with different learning disabilities and ADD - could be just what you are looking for!

The public schools have a special kindergarden for kids with speech delays and special needs. My son has autism and Keller ISD is great with him. They have helped him in more ways then I could count. Gabes main issues are speech and motor skills. The thing I loved the most about the district was 1/2 day of regular kindergarden and 1/2 day with the special teacher, (so he attended a full day of school five days per week). It gave him the interaction he needed and he is doing wonderful now and ready for school to start back up next week. If you do decide to go with a private school, when we first moved here back in 1999 I worked for Primrose in Southlake and I love the way they taught kindergarden and worked with the kids.

There is a new school in Grapevine - not sure if it is the one for you but it is called the Hill School. It is on Dooley Street and Northwest Highway in Grapevine. They specialize in children with learning disabilities. You might check it out.

I have heard good thinks about DKH in Highland Village. I don't have first hand experience with them though - just heard good things.