Langley School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a potential applicant to private preschools, with Langley being one of them, I am wondering if there are parents who send their child to Langley with the goal of switching to FCPS AAP program. Do they switch in 3rd grade, or 2nd/1st grade? I read that FCPS tests their 1st grade students in fall, and in 2nd grade, so it makes more sense to switch in 1st grade then? Or do we stay till the end of second grade and then make a switch by applying to AAP program using outside testing and Langley teacher recommendation?

I would appreciate any input. Thank you very much.

As a family who switched mid-year (several years ago) from AAP to Langley, we couldn’t imagine going back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a potential applicant to private preschools, with Langley being one of them, I am wondering if there are parents who send their child to Langley with the goal of switching to FCPS AAP program. Do they switch in 3rd grade, or 2nd/1st grade? I read that FCPS tests their 1st grade students in fall, and in 2nd grade, so it makes more sense to switch in 1st grade then? Or do we stay till the end of second grade and then make a switch by applying to AAP program using outside testing and Langley teacher recommendation?

I would appreciate any input. Thank you very much.

As a family who switched mid-year (several years ago) from AAP to Langley, we couldn’t imagine going back.

Will you consider public high school or private high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a potential applicant to private preschools, with Langley being one of them, I am wondering if there are parents who send their child to Langley with the goal of switching to FCPS AAP program. Do they switch in 3rd grade, or 2nd/1st grade? I read that FCPS tests their 1st grade students in fall, and in 2nd grade, so it makes more sense to switch in 1st grade then? Or do we stay till the end of second grade and then make a switch by applying to AAP program using outside testing and Langley teacher recommendation?

I would appreciate any input. Thank you very much.

As a family who switched mid-year (several years ago) from AAP to Langley, we couldn’t imagine going back.

Mid year? Rarely does Langley take a kid mid year

[Anonymous]

As a new Langley family, I can affirm that the community has been warm and welcoming. COVID has made it hard to connect but when there is a chance to, everyone has been down to earth and friendly. We left FCPS AAP for Langley and are happy with our decision. AAP was a pressure cooker with wonderful well behaved kids but it misses the mark on social interactions and the importance of being well rounded/happy/balanced beyond test scores. And smaller class sizes was a drastic positive change. Our son is social/silly while also loving academics. Langley has been a great fit for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a new Langley family, I can affirm that the community has been warm and welcoming. COVID has made it hard to connect but when there is a chance to, everyone has been down to earth and friendly. We left FCPS AAP for Langley and are happy with our decision. AAP was a pressure cooker with wonderful well behaved kids but it misses the mark on social interactions and the importance of being well rounded/happy/balanced beyond test scores. And smaller class sizes was a drastic positive change. Our son is social/silly while also loving academics. Langley has been a great fit for him.

You say AAP was a pressure cooker. Was that a positive or negative thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I came across this thread and while it is an older one I thought I would share that I would wait on Langley until the current construction project is completely finished before applying. I also think that 5th grade, maybe 4th grade, and up are good, the lower grades are average at best.

There were also almost 20 new hires for this year, including the head of school, head of middle school and numerous teachers. The director of admissions quit over the summer. The head of lower school has only been there since 2019. For a school with an enrollment around 500 that is a lot of movement, as a comparison our local public school had around 8 new hires this year with an enrollment around 700.

Longtime Langley family here. While no school is perfect and I’ve certainly had my issues with some facets at Langley, much of this needs context. Dr. Scully our head of school who recently left, did so while giving nearly two years of notice and completing her contract. She returned to NCS where she had been a middle school head and is now head of school. Mrs. Laurent our former Lower school head of many years, left as a result of the death of her husband and wanting to live closer to her sons in California. Our middle school head Nola-rae Cronan who was only there for two years also moved west when her husband moved positions. That one was disappointing and unexpected I’ll admit. Finally, our admissions head was a Scully hire and she announced her departure well before the end of the school year. Her Langley student graduated last year as well. It’s a lot of turnover on paper but the culture and community at Langley among parents, faculty and staff is strong. The school effectively managed Covid and was a pioneer in getting students back on campus in Sept 2000 with weekly testing. The new crossroads building looks to be incredible. It’s a great school and community.

Thank you for explaining. I'm a former parent and faculty member who still has a soft spot in my heart for Langley and the foundation it gave my children. And me as a young mom. The intentional smear and innuendo by previous posters is unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry if this is a naive question, but is there any possibility at this point for a rising 6th grader to be admitted for this Fall?

I am not sure if a parent could really tell you 100%. Would call the school and ask.

My kid is a 7th grader and the 6th grade behind them is quite small. They only had 2 full classes vs 3 in his grade level..They have done this on purpose and the other grades are all 3 classes as well.

I can ask the administrator...

What?? 6th is huge compared to 7th which is the smallest in the MS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Langley parent here with middle schoolers. I realize you were asking about younger grades but think once you switch to private, you’ll want to stay. We love Langley—middle school is so great for building confidence, academic skills and is very age-appropriate without any high schoolers there. The teachers are truly amazing and they have such a great balance of academics with social development. Distance learning has been good and should get even better with more prep time before the fall.

The new school head (coming starting for the 21-22 school year) is coming from Norwood and has great K-8 experience so I anticipate a very smooth transition.

The MS teachers are amazing for sure. I do miss the availability of electives though

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry if this is a naive question, but is there any possibility at this point for a rising 6th grader to be admitted for this Fall?

I am not sure if a parent could really tell you 100%. Would call the school and ask.

My kid is a 7th grader and the 6th grade behind them is quite small. They only had 2 full classes vs 3 in his grade level..They have done this on purpose and the other grades are all 3 classes as well.

I can ask the administrator...

What?? 6th is huge compared to 7th which is the smallest in the MS

The question and this post are old. Relax.

[Anonymous]

For us, AAP as a pressure cooker is a negative thing. Especially in the elementary years. It may be a great fit for some families and that is wonderful. For us, the narrative/values of academics above all is wonderful for families looking for that! But we decided it wasn’t the best for for his interests and personality. We are grateful to find a place that challenges him academically while also ensuring he sweats, plays, laughs, does art, plays music, and values friendship along the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a new Langley family, I can affirm that the community has been warm and welcoming. COVID has made it hard to connect but when there is a chance to, everyone has been down to earth and friendly. We left FCPS AAP for Langley and are happy with our decision. AAP was a pressure cooker with wonderful well behaved kids but it misses the mark on social interactions and the importance of being well rounded/happy/balanced beyond test scores. And smaller class sizes was a drastic positive change. Our son is social/silly while also loving academics. Langley has been a great fit for him.

You say AAP was a pressure cooker. Was that a positive or negative thing?

Disturbing that this is even a question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We sort of considered switching back to public for AAP. Our child’s WISC was 134 so we felt comfortable that he would probably get in. Our child had done a year of public FCPS before Langley. But after about half a school year at Langley we dispensed with that. We felt like the smaller class sizes, community and quality of education outweighed the academics from AAP. I think the math at Langley is excellent and even though both of our kids are in private, they seem more grounded in a way than some AAP kids. Lots of AAP kids are moved to a LLIV center and in the process their parents explained why. On a few occasions I have been around FCPS AAP students and they let you know almost immediately that they are in AAP and that it is for smart kids. I can’t imagine this is a healthy mindset for them or the kids who don’t get it. And it’s obnoxious. Reminds me of people who talk about their time in Cambridge. So that has made me even more comfortable with keeping my kids in private.

I don't disagree with your assessment of AAP academics but it's pretty ironic that you seem to think kids are more grounded, less exclusionary, less snobby at a super expensive private than at FCPS AAP. No one says the goofy Boston/Cambridge lines when they're surrounded by their peers in the middle of Harvard Square either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sort of considered switching back to public for AAP. Our child’s WISC was 134 so we felt comfortable that he would probably get in. Our child had done a year of public FCPS before Langley. But after about half a school year at Langley we dispensed with that. We felt like the smaller class sizes, community and quality of education outweighed the academics from AAP. I think the math at Langley is excellent and even though both of our kids are in private, they seem more grounded in a way than some AAP kids. Lots of AAP kids are moved to a LLIV center and in the process their parents explained why. On a few occasions I have been around FCPS AAP students and they let you know almost immediately that they are in AAP and that it is for smart kids. I can’t imagine this is a healthy mindset for them or the kids who don’t get it. And it’s obnoxious. Reminds me of people who talk about their time in Cambridge. So that has made me even more comfortable with keeping my kids in private.

I don't disagree with your assessment of AAP academics but it's pretty ironic that you seem to think kids are more grounded, less exclusionary, less snobby at a super expensive private than at FCPS AAP. No one says the goofy Boston/Cambridge lines when they're surrounded by their peers in the middle of Harvard Square either.

I find it ironic too. But it is my experience. Your comparison is correct regarding the Cambridge comments. I will just say that we are in an organization that is populated by children from several publics including an AAP Center School, several privates, and two Catholics. The only pompous kids talking about how smart they are are the AAP kids from Louise Archer. I know another Louise Archer kid from a totally different circle and he is the same. So maybe it is an issue at that school's AAP program. Anyway, it is something I have noticed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sort of considered switching back to public for AAP. Our child’s WISC was 134 so we felt comfortable that he would probably get in. Our child had done a year of public FCPS before Langley. But after about half a school year at Langley we dispensed with that. We felt like the smaller class sizes, community and quality of education outweighed the academics from AAP. I think the math at Langley is excellent and even though both of our kids are in private, they seem more grounded in a way than some AAP kids. Lots of AAP kids are moved to a LLIV center and in the process their parents explained why. On a few occasions I have been around FCPS AAP students and they let you know almost immediately that they are in AAP and that it is for smart kids. I can’t imagine this is a healthy mindset for them or the kids who don’t get it. And it’s obnoxious. Reminds me of people who talk about their time in Cambridge. So that has made me even more comfortable with keeping my kids in private.

I don't disagree with your assessment of AAP academics but it's pretty ironic that you seem to think kids are more grounded, less exclusionary, less snobby at a super expensive private than at FCPS AAP. No one says the goofy Boston/Cambridge lines when they're surrounded by their peers in the middle of Harvard Square either.

I find it ironic too. But it is my experience. Your comparison is correct regarding the Cambridge comments. I will just say that we are in an organization that is populated by children from several publics including an AAP Center School, several privates, and two Catholics. The only pompous kids talking about how smart they are are the AAP kids from Louise Archer. I know another Louise Archer kid from a totally different circle and he is the same. So maybe it is an issue at that school's AAP program. Anyway, it is something I have noticed.

My kids experienced this at the AAP center the attended as well. It’s just a pressure cooker environment when it comes to how high their grades are. It took the fun out of school for my oldest son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Langley parents would crawl on broken glass if their kid could somehow be admitted to Potomac.

Since when is it hard to get into Potomac? I never got above a B- in middle school and I got in there.