Landon vs. Georgetown Prep Upper School

[Anonymous]

Also a different poster here, you can't say that Landon or Prep have a bad curriculum. I think 19:29 was spot on when they said that their curriculum is probably better than 90% of the privates in the DC Metropolitan area. From research I've done when sending my oldest two DC's into privates, Landon and Prep(pretty identical as previous posters stated in terms of Academic strength) are only below Sidwell, STA, and NCS which are top tier-nationally ranked schools. Thus, you can't go wrong with either school. Both schools send out many kids to ivys and top institutions for further studies(Academically, Athletically, or Artistically). For all who say that "I wonder how many kids get into ivys through sports." It's a fair question, however, those ivy schools aren't picking brainless kids. There's a certain cut off in terms of grades which they have to meet to get into that school for an athletic scholarship. I know this first hand because my oldest son graduated from a "Big 5" school in this area and got recruited for a major sport. The school which recruited him expected his GPA and SAT to be over a certain benchmark. For example, a normal kid applying would have to get around a 2200 on their SAT, the recruited athlete would only have to get 2000. So it's not like the kids recruited are mindless. So OP, either way, I personally believe you should go whichever school your family thought best of for your DS.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Despite a good math department reputation, GP does not have a math team. Not sure about Landon. Unfortunately, it's clear that academics is not the schools first priority.[/quote]

Uh ... GP does have a math team and they just competed in a National Tournament.

GP mom here -- and friends with a lot of Landon families too. Just because both schools tend to be over-shadowed by the good and bad news of their athletic teams does not mean academics is not the first priority at both institutions. That's just stupid to really think that! Do you really think we pay that much money to have star athletes on the high-school playing field?

[Anonymous]

``That's just stupid to really think that!''

I'm not the one sending my kid to GP.

[Anonymous]

If you don't want to send your kid to one of these 2 schools fine pp...but don't trash those who choose to. I don't have a dog in the fight, but tire of people constantly trashing each other's choices. Remember what mom always said... "if you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all".

[Anonymous]

pp: ``If you can't say somethnig nice...'' is an idea that died about the third time someone posted on this board. And it is an idea that is particularly obsolete among the GP/Landon crowd, especially when they are talking about each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:``That's just stupid to really think that!''

I'm not the one sending my kid to GP.

Who cares what you think. We get it. You think both schools are terrible. Guess what. No one at either school cares. If you want to be happy trashing schools and think you know everything go for it. For those of us who have kids at these schools, we made a choice that we think is good for our kids and their specific needs. Nobody forces anyone to sign a check or even to apply.

In many cases the academics are only one part. The "extras" and I am not just talking sports can be what helps a kid truly develop into a successful student and more importantly a successful adult. So many of you seem to forget that in your zeal to trash the academics.

[Anonymous]

The most reasonable and helpful posts on this and other sites are from the families and alumni of the schools concerned, even those that offer 'cons" to their schools. they actually they know from experience what they are talking about. PP was right. People at any school could care less what others outside of their community think, especially when much of it is based on ignorance of a few trolls with nothing better to do with their time than to hurl daggers.

[Anonymous]

New PP here. I think OP, and I know for myself, that I/we would like to learn more about what the academics and (type of) emphasis on sports, arts, etc. is like at these schools. We are particularly interested in GP. As the poster above stated, it is important that current and former students and families share their experiences, so that others not familar with the school don't give wrong information to those of us truly interested in the school for our DS. There is only so much information that can be had from the schools, this forum allows people to learn information about a school that many times you hear only from family or close friends at the school, neither of which we have. So I do hope that GP families/students/teachers will take the time to share the real pros and cons of the shool.

[Anonymous]

Why is it that plenty of GP and Landon parents willingly engage in nasty comments about their rival school, but none of these parents or other families are willing to answer legitimate questions about the school's academics and/or share a glimpse of the school with those who are interested in learning more about these schools and communities? Unfornately, the silence allows the negative conversations to paint a bad picture of both schools. Why?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Why is it that plenty of GP and Landon parents willingly engage in nasty comments about their rival school, but none of these parents or other families are willing to answer legitimate questions about the school's academics and/or share a glimpse of the school with those who are interested in learning more about these schools and communities? Unfornately, the silence allows the negative conversations to paint a bad picture of both schools. Why?[/quote]
I'm not affiliated with either school, but I think it's hard for anyone to want to give lots of substantive info, because it will almost certainly be met with howls of derision and attacks from people who want to criticize (whether it's from a rival school, or someone who just wants to criticize private schools generally, or just a garden-variety DCUM troll). It's a difficult balance because not responding at all allows people to claim "Oh, the silence speaks volumes!" (one of the more annoying DCUM cliches). I could certainly see someone choosing not to post because it just feeds the flames, and any readers who are really interested in the school will get info from more trustworthy sources anyway.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate your thought about why few GP nor Landon parents respond to the questions about their schools and that parents should seek out more reliable sources for information, but isn't one purpose of this forum is to serve as an additional source of information for parents seeking help in learning more about a private schools or a particular school? I can't see that fear of criticism being a reason for silence, since comments are posted anonmously and plenty of parent engage in nasty comments they mostly likely would not if their identities were known. I don't understand why people are willing to spend time responding to nasty comments, but not willing to help perspective parents with legitimate questions about their schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: ... isn't one purpose of this forum is to serve as an additional source of information for parents seeking help in learning more about a private schools or a particular school? I can't see that fear of criticism being a reason for silence ...

I completely agree that's what the forum should be about. However, the fevered attacks often prevent any helpful exchange of info. And those attacks seem to have taken over this thread, so there's little incentive for people to post helpful info here. I doubt any supporters of these schools are afraid to post positive comments in other contexts. But given how this thread has developed, any one positive comment may well draw ten negative responses, to the net detriment of the school.

I'm not saying I like it. And I really wish there were more positive comments, and fewer negative attacks. But that's my take on the reality of the situation. It's hard to plant a garden in the middle of a battlefield. Maybe some GP & Landon people will see this as a challenge, and will suspend their attacks to allow for more positive comments.

[Anonymous]

OK, I'll wade in. I'm a Landon parent. We never considered GP, so I can't and won't comment on that school, although the one young man I know who graduated from there is an outstanding person. There are many things I like about Landon, and overall they outweigh the things I don't like. For one, there are some really good, dedicated teachers there, who care about the boys' development as students and as people. Most teachers are very good about communicating with parents and letting them know when there are bumps in the road (or good things happening), and are willing to meet with the boys for extra help if needed. The music and art programs are stellar, and I really like the fact that the boys aren't pigeonholed into "jocks" or "arts types." A standout athlete may also be in the a capella singing group; another might be in the school play. All talent is encouraged and admired. I don't have a good impression of the lacrosse culture, but my kid (who is actually quite a good athlete) has no interest in lacrosse, so I don't pay it much attention. The school is really well run -- this may seem minor, but I find it really helpful that there is communication about events, things start on time, and are generally well organized. College placement is good, and not just for recruited athletes. I do get the feeling sometimes that there is a division at the school between people who want to keep things just as they are (usually alums and conservative types), and people (including me) that feel the school needs to keep up with changing times, especially the presence of more working mothers. I do sense that the school is making efforts in many areas that are important to me, and so I'm willing to be patient. Most importantly, my son is doing well, has some great teachers who take an interest in him, and has some nice friends whose families seem to share the same values as ours. So we're pretty happy with the school.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Why is it that plenty of GP and Landon parents willingly engage in nasty comments about their rival school, but none of these parents or other families are willing to answer legitimate questions about the school's academics and/or share a glimpse of the school with those who are interested in learning more about these schools and communities? Unfornately, the silence allows the negative conversations to paint a bad picture of both schools. Why?[/quote]
I'm not affiliated with either school, but I think it's hard for anyone to want to give lots of substantive info, because it will almost certainly be met with howls of derision and attacks from people who want to criticize (whether it's from a rival school, or someone who just wants to criticize private schools generally, or just a garden-variety DCUM troll). It's a difficult balance because not responding at all allows people to claim "Oh, the silence speaks volumes!" (one of the more annoying DCUM cliches). I could certainly see someone choosing not to post because it just feeds the flames, and any readers who are really interested in the school will get info from more trustworthy sources anyway.[/quote]

Many Landon and GP parents have posted information about the academics and the other activities at the school. DO a search of this forum and you will find it as well postings about SAT scores, colleges etc. The problem is that people then comment about why it is not as good as St Albans or Sidwell, that all the kids getting into the "good schools" are recruited athletes, that Landon students are all thugs and hate women, the list could go on and on.

If you are purely looking at academics, then you really need to go public. The push in Public is to take as many AP's and advanced classes sometimes at the expense of more in depth learning. If you are looking for a more well rounded experience and the ability to develop good relationships with teachers than these schools can meet that. They are not for everyone but for the right kid, it can be a great experience.

[Anonymous]

Just saw this thread near the top of the forum threads. Anyways, I understand what PPs are saying here. I am a former Landon parent who has had two sons graduate from Landon a few years back. So I cannot say much about GP. Here is my view on Landon:

It's a great, tight community which brings in new and prospective students with open arms. Our reputation has taken a hit in recent years due to misconduct from current students and alumni. I will tell you, they do not represent the Landon community as a whole. There were mixed feelings in the community of sadness, anger, disappointment, and more feelings towards the alumni and current student's actions which have depleted the reputation of the school, not only in the DC Metropolitan area, but also on a national scale. However, you cannot blame them entirely because the administration and "father's club" run the show. The Father's Club takes too many decisions which should be pure administrative decisions. For example, why did the Fantasy Sex Scandal boys not get expelled is perplexes me. However, I've heard from current parents that they have tightened up and took on the approach of one moderate-big mistake and you're out. Moving on to Academics, they have a great prepatory curriculum. This may be a biased answer, but I have taken a look at majority of schools in the area, and those who bash Landon academics haven't had a DS at Landon. They are solid academics with a more traditional approach in terms of teaching. The science, math, and english departments are solid. The language department is definitely growing though, probably not the best in the area. There are many International opportunities for Landon students to go to Spain, China, Australia, Germany, France, and other countries to help their experience in language learning. Freshmen year is challenging, sophomore year is a little more low key because the kids learn to manage time more effectively but depends on the schedule, and Junior and Senior years are pressure cooker years at Landon. Moving on the to Athletics and the Arts. Athletics have always been an essential part of Landon. Yes Athletics are emphasized in the school curriculum, but definitely not over academics. Teachers, who are also coaches, always have emphasized that skipping a practice or game is fine if the reason is to meet with a teacher for further academic help or some academic event. I cannot tell you much about Landon arts since my two DS both drew and painted, so I can only tell you about the studio arts rather than performing arts. The studio arts resources are fantastic with great teachers who push the child to be creative and helps a kid enjoy the art.