Piedmont high or private high school for ADHD kid
Hi, my kid is going into 8th grade. She's at a small private school now, which has been ok. She has ADHD and feels "dumb" compared to some of her schoolmates which for the most part are super-smart, ambitious kids. We have been able to afford private but our resources are strained and we'd like for her to go to a "good" public school. We are in Oakland School District so it would be Oakland Tech which I think is too big/unwieldy for a kid with ADHD. For the record, my child is regularly misplacing and losing all of their belongings, including homework and clothing. They get decent grades, As and Bs, except for Latin, where they got a C.
Several of their schoolmates are going to Piedmont High next year, and others to a variety of private schools. I am thinking of trying to transfer to Piedmont from the OUSD. Regardless of whether that's doable, what's your experience/opinion of Piedmont high?
What about local private schools like Maybeck and Catholic schools like Bishop O'Dowd and St. Mary's? Any other high schools you like?
Thank you in advance for sharing!
Parent Replies
Catholic HS parent here - I'm not sure of your chances at Piedmont HS, but I would wholeheartedly encourage you and your daughter to check out St. Mary's - we found it to be an excellent choice for our student - small enough to not get lost among peers but big enough to provide every opportunity. They also have an excellent support system for LD kids. Join one of their coffee and conversations in the fall and tour it for yourselves. It's such a great school I wish I had another kid to send there! lol Good luck!
My son sounds similar to your child. He did his freshman year at Piedmont, which was a bit of a disaster. He then transferred to Maybeck which was a great fit. I can't speak highly enough of the school with its small classes, excellent teachers, and big emphasis on community.
There is a school next to Piedmont called Millenium. It is a small school that accepts kids from surrounding areas. It has small classes and more supports and I know families that were extremely happy with it. The extra benefit is kids there get to do sports and art classes at Piedmont High. Check it out!
Hi there,
My child finished his first year and St Mary’s and we were thrilled with his entire experience. For context, he did his 8th grade at our local public school where he did okay but academic expectations were low. He was nervous about being at a school where he knew most kids came from high achieving private schools.
The small community at St Mary’s was a game changer for our child and us. The communication between teachers, admin, and counselors was great. I knew I could contact specific folks and get a timely response. The academic work load was doable for my very average kid (who likes to stay under the radar especially in class) and academic support is there if your child takes advantage of it. The school also has their eyes on first year kids and how they socially transition to the school which also eased my mind as my child since he was the only kid from his middle school attending St Mary’s. Feel free to reach out with questions and good luck!
hi there -- in a similar/different boat -- rising 8th grader with a lot of learning and social differences. Have you looked into the Millenium HS at Piedmont? It's a lottery process. https://mhs.piedmont.k12.ca.us/
I don't know much about East Bay Innovation Academy -- and not sure how you feel about charter schools: https://eastbayia.org/
Another Oakland Charter school: https://ochs.amethodschools.org/
I wanted to put in a plug for Oakland School for the Arts. It’s been a fantastic fit for our kid—small enough that every student is known and seen, with an arts-focused curriculum that supports all kinds of learners. I honestly wish my oldest had gone there too! Compared to a traditional high school, OSA gives students a few hours each day to focus on something they truly enjoy, and that makes a huge difference. While there aren’t as many AP classes, students can take courses at local junior colleges and get a free period to complete the work. It’s a great way to access college-level material without the pressure of AP testing—something that worked especially well for my LD kid.
There’s also a much broader appreciation at OSA—from both students and staff—of the different ways kids can be “smart.” A kid might struggle in biology but thrive as a dancer or visual artist, and that’s celebrated. And OSA students go on to great colleges, often with standout portfolios and experiences that set them apart. OSA just purchased a beautiful new building in downtown Oakland. If your kid has any artistic interests, definitely check it out!
The issue with PHS is the serious wealth of many kids there. It can be overwhelming and makes kids who don’t have it feel uncool and left out. I’d suggest you really consider St Mary’s. This is an amazing school, especially for kids who need more support. Lots of thriving neurodiverse kids there.