Hello All,
My son is going to high school next year, and I'm anxious about choosing the best fit for him. My son has ADHD and is always picking the wrong crowd of friends. I'm constantly getting calls from his current school, and when I talk with his teachers, they consistently say "your son is hanging with the wrong crowd." I'm considering moving him to a private school because the public schools in our area are having some difficulties on the high school level including large class sizes, not preparing students for college, and gang activity.
Additionally, my son is making honor roll at his current schools; however, I don't feel the school is providing a good academic foundation. I have him in tutoring once a week, and the tutor is continually saying, "The school work is not on grade level." I am a single mom and have stayed up many nights worrying about making the right decision for him. I'm worried about several things including will he be ready for college, will he be able to handle all the independence that comes with being a high school student, and will he choose the wrong crowd and experiment with drugs because he's already taking Vyvanse. I know I'm rambling, but I have been struggling with this for the last six months, and I don't know what to do. If I send him private school, it's going to expensive financially and if I send him to public school his going to expensive emotionally. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my post this mama bears sure appreciate your efforts.
Question from mom of high school boy
New here... Senior in high school | Vyvanse causing depression after 8 years
Public Schooling and Helping Children with Disabilities. 
ADHD Children and Public Schools
Public vs private is definitely a tricky choice - a lot of times it just depends on which private school versus which public school.
I would research the private or charter schools you are considering very carefully, as (to my knowledge) typically they are not as equipped to handle students with special needs or requiring accommodations as well as public schools are legally required to. So, definitely get info on their ability to handle ADHD and to honor any 504/IEP accommodations you have in place.
That being said, I know people with ADHD who had amazing experiences at private schools, and some who had terrible experiences. So, just depends on the school.
In my area, there is a private school specifically for dyslexia / ADHD. I don’t really know much about it, but something to perhaps keep an eye out for in your area.
Best of luck!
My daughter with ADHD, anxiety, and depression has had a terrible time in public high school hanging with the wrong crowd, drugs, shoplifting, and failing classes. She too was on honor roll in middle school. The student population doubled and so did the classroom sizes with a lack of support. We decided to put her into an independent study charter school. Still having issues with behavior and bad friends but her grades and anxiety seems better. My best friends son also with ADHD in high school went the Catholic private route and that was a disaster also. They don't have the reaources to support kids with learning and behavior challenges. So she sent him to the same charter program. It's a tough call and your fears are completely valid. This is no easy road. Do what your gut tells you. You know your child best.