We had a very disappointing experience at Hill Country Christian School. My son struggled to stay…read moreengaged and focused, and instead of working with us as parents, the principal, Tracy, took it upon herself to intervene in ways that crossed boundaries. After I had specifically told her I would speak with both the teacher and my son's pediatrician, she removed my son from class and told him directly that he needed to see a doctor for his behavior. When I picked him up, he was crying and asking, "What's wrong with me, Mom?" No child should be put in that position, and that conversation should never have been had with him -- that was my responsibility as his parent.
This was not an isolated incident. I had emails to teachers go unanswered, and overall the partnership we expected from a private school simply was not there. Since leaving, I've learned that other families have had similar experiences, where the principal seemed to push an ADHD diagnosis despite disagreement from teachers and parents. In our case, both my son's third- and fourth-grade teachers at HCCS and his pediatrician did not believe he had ADHD.
When my son transferred mid-year into public school, the difference was night and day. His new teacher said he was incredibly bright, just likely bored, and he immediately began thriving. He made straight A's, came home happy, and was excited to return to school each day. The contrast showed me that the problem was not with my son but with the way he was being handled at HCCS.
We expected much better from a private institution, but sadly, our experience was one of disappointment, lack of communication, and a principal who placed her opinion above parents, teachers, and even doctors.