IRWIN Plan in Smith Farm by D.R. Horton
Suffolk, VA 23435

My daughter has ADHD and was diagnosed with Autism. When I informed them she was going to be tested for autism, they told me to let them know and they would adjust their IEP. They lied. I informed them and they did nothing. No re-evaluation. They knew of her limitations and did nothing to help her succeed. They reduced her hours not because it was best for her but it was best for them. She is now in middle school and cannot handle being in multiple classes. I had mentioned my concerns to them about her learning and her being in several classes. They just brushed my concerns under the rug and completely ignored them. Luckily, the special education case worker and other teachers at the middle school recognize and have validated my concerns. They too feel she shouldn't be in multiple classes as it is too much simulation for her. We are working a re-evaluation due to her autistic diagnosis. This never should have happened if the teachers at Florence Bowser did their job. They made me feel that I had no say in my daughter's education and they were in charge. The middle school has let me know I am in charge and they will do whatever I feel is the best for my daughter. If you have a child who has an IEP, make sure you do your research so you know your rights. Invite an advocate. Otherwise the teachers and administration will take advantage of you and will ruin your child's success in education. They did with mine. I am sorry that the middle school is having to fix their negligence. At least I know they care. The teachers and administrators at Florence Bowser do not care. They set my daughter up to fail and that is unacceptable.

We moved here in 2021 just as the pandemic was beginning to wind down. The staff has been incredible!! There are a TON of extracurriculars and the administration is very engaging. Very happy my family made the leap of faith to have a little farther drive to base to be in this district.

I wasn't told until the middle of our daughter's senior year that she was at risk of not graduating because of 1 SOL. She had an honor roll report card. She took the SOL many times and had tutoring both inside and outside the school and the tutors agreed she knew it enough to pass it. She just had high testing anxiety. Long story short, she was not able to walk with her class and graduate with them. Meanwhile, she knew other kids who had straight D's all 4 years of high school and they got to walk because they passed a SOL. I vowed that day that I would never allow another one of my children to go to public school again. There were some teachers that were very nice, but teachers have no authority over the classroom now and they are overruled by the cruel system they work for. It was a truly devastating experience.

Large class sizes. 25-31 students per class.