Cy-Fair ISD vs. Kingwood schools (Humble ISD) for special-needs kids? (Houston: environment, income)

[crescentcitygal]

Hi, everyone. We moved to Kingwood from the New Orleans area last summer. We have been renting here while we look for the right place to live and the best access to schools for our children, ages 4 and 6. We have been considering a move to the West or NW side of the city so that our 6 yo son can attend a private school for children with language disorders. However, we are reconsidering the wisdom of this move, as most of the neighborhoods we would want to live in over there are in Cy-Fair ISD, which has open-concept classrooms. In the event that my son transitions into the public schools in a couple of years (which is the goal), I do not believe this would not be a good environment for him (he has ADHD in addition to a language processing disorder). There was recently another discussion about Cy-Fair open classrooms on this forum which I found very informative.

Before we moved here, several people told me that Cy-Fair is well-respected for having good, innovative programs for kids with special needs, but from my research and contacts with the school, I haven't heard much that has impressed me. I called two schools in the district today to ask about the possibility of coming to visit the school, and I was told that they do not give tours. The first school's exact words to me were "absolutely not" because having strangers in the building would be disruptive to teaching, and "that would be unacceptable." I don't see how one adult being escorted through the school would be more of a distraction than open classrooms! When I inquired about how children adjust to the open environment, and if any accommodations are made when children are very distracted by it, the secretary at one of the schools asked me if "something was wrong" with my child that made me have these concerns (her exact words). She went on to say that some children who appear to have attention problems are actually trying to get out of doing work that they find too difficult. So I'm getting the feeling that Cy-Fair isn't exactly friendly toward special-needs kids.

In the even we stay here in Kingwood, what is the general opinion of Kingwood Schools, which are in Humble ISD? We are currently in the small strip of Kingwood that is in Montgomery County, so our son currently attends a New Caney ISD public school. Also, does anyone have opinions on what are the best school districts for kids with special needs? I know you can find out the accountability scores for all of the schools, but that doesn't mean much as far as I'm concerned, and it doesn't tell you ANYTHING about how good their special ed programs are.

Just when I think we've settled on an area to live, there's another problem to be concerned with.

Paula

[Mr. Football]

I've always heard good things about CFISD, I'll ask my neighbor who is a teacher at one of their campuses. She's a wonderful person who really does care a great deal about her work with these kids.

I do know this, though. My sister lives in Katy ISD and has a son who is pre-school age 2 years old and blind. KISD has a preschool program where they will work with special needs children. I believe they actually come out to the house to work with the children. My sister says its a godsend.

[crescentcitygal]

My preschooler is not the one with the special needs, but I would still be interestered to know what you find out about Katy ISD's special needs program. Thanks for the information.

Paula

[Sitnpretty]

Hi Crescentcitygal

I like am also I crescent city gal turned Cowgirl now for 13 years. I have a special needs child as well. THE DRAMA let me tell you...when dealing with these schools and your special needs child. We started out in HISD which was at the age of 3 for speech and language disorder. We later moved to private schooling but the hassel of schooling plus therapy and just the rigorous everyday life schedule was tough. During the private school stent we bought a home in KISD and I was not sold on the schools but heard rave reviews about the programs offered. After globetrotting for a while and exposing him to the different learning styles we made great progress only to get back to Houston into CyFair ISD to totally regress. There are a great deal of politics in the CyFair ISD as it related to kids with special needs. They do not participate in many of the gov. funded programs for kids with special needs as it would dampen their RECOGNITION in terms of being ranked as a high achieving school district. Needless to say I am excited to be back in KISD. The people...diagnostitian, counselors, teachers and principals all want to see your child succeed. KISD is now for it's special needs programming. I came highly recommended by our Pediatrician as well. FYI, we have been Golbow Elem., McRoberts Elem., McDonald JH, and are looking forward to either Mortan Ranch or Mayde Creek this upcoming school year.

I apologized I do not know much about the school in the northern counties. God Bless you with your quest.

P.S. BE PREPARE FOR THE CONTINUOUS FIGHT FOR YOUR SON...IT'S A BATTLE. But we are now winning.

[charris911]

You may have read my discussion earlier about open classroom concept in Cy-Fair. Again, if your child has special needs, he/she will not be in a open classroom, unless they are being shadowed by a teacher or teacher's aid.

Again, there are bad things and good things in all school districts. Of the districts I have worked in (with special needs children), Cy-Fair is by and large the best equipped to deal with children's needs.

Of course not everyones experience is the same, but Cy-Fair is large enough to have many different programs, and they have wonderful teachers, that cooperate in teaching special education programs.

I have heard good things about Humble ISD, but I dont have any personnel knowledge. Good Luck!!!

[momster49]

Just a couple of points for you, and anyone else who is interested.

Early Childhood Intervention services are provided by the state to any child with a diagnosed disability or significant delay. These services are available to any child from birth through age 3 (when they become eligible for services through their local school districts). If you have or know of a child who you believe needs services, you can contact ECI or your local school district, who should be able to give you contact information. Services are provided in-home or sometimes in-daycare, depending on the circumstances. Services are free for children who are VI (visually impaired) or AI (auditorially impaired), and on a sliding scale (based on income) for children with other needs.

As far as programs in Humble ISD, I have had eperience in Humble for some time in a variety of special education settings and schools. As a parent, you always need to advocate for your child, but I have found that the teachers and staff here are very caring and supportive. We do not always agree, but we have been able to work cooperatively together, which I believe is the best you can hope for in any district. I would encourage you to call and ask to speak to one of the directors of special education. Here's a link to educational support personnel.

Educational Support Services Home Page - Special Education Directory

Good luck, and God bless you and your child.

[BearBranch]

The Kingwood schools are great. Some of the best in the state.

[BearBranch]

Stay within Kingwood schhols, and NOT New Canney

[crescentcitygal]

Originally Posted by BearBranch

Stay within Kingwood schhols, and NOT New Canney

Hi, BearBranch. I just checked the forums today for the first time in a while and saw your post. We just purchased a home in Kingwood and are currently moving in, so we will be moving out of New Caney ISD and into Humble ISD (Hidden Hollow will be our school).

Would you mind elaborating on why you say Kingwood and not New Caney? I'm just curious as we did have some negative experiences in a New Caney ISD school as far as special ed services were concerned. Great teacher, but a few people (with some exceptions) in the administration and the special ed department were not supportive at all.

[Mr. Football]

I think New Caney is considered 'the sticks'.