Academic strength of Sidwell and Landon

[Anonymous]

The big difference between Landon and other schools is this:
Landon believes any problem lies with the way other schools/people view them. Other schools tend to address their problems--not always successfully--and do not blame other schools/people for their situations. Likely a confidence issue.

Sidwell has had its share of problems, but tends to address them within their community. Their reputation is one of achievement. Don't have a child in either school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The big difference between Landon and other schools is this:
Landon believes any problem lies with the way other schools/people view them. Other schools tend to address their problems--not always successfully--and do not blame other schools/people for their situations. Likely a confidence issue.

Sidwell has had its share of problems, but tends to address them within their community. Their reputation is one of achievement. Don't have a child in either school.

Your last sentence has no relationship to the content of your post, especially for Sidwell. In my view, it is entirely inappropriate unless you justify.

[Anonymous]

Calm down, PP. I think the poster meant to say "I don't have a child in either school," meaning that she feels she can be an unbiased commentator. (Assuming PP is a woman!)

[Anonymous]

Yep, left out the "I".

[Anonymous]

LOL. You'd really have to go out of your way to misinterpret that comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LOL. You'd really have to go out of your way to misinterpret that comment.

I disagree, 'cause you never can tell with this forum. The things people say here!

[Anonymous]

...said the Landon booster...

Anonymous wrote:Very different schools. Co-Ed vs. all boys, but with Holton-Arms as sister school. Sidwell allows a more privileged kid atmosphere, and the students, teachers, Trustees and parents essentially run the School. Teachers are addressed by first name by all students. Very Quaker in outlook, so read up on those philosophies. Right and wrong "might" exist, but "grey" areas dominate as basic values/ethics/principles. Learning is heavily influenced by extra tutors, special assistance to wealthiest students, and high numbers of students having "testing" on record for ADHD, so MANY get special extra time for everything. Landon still has a mythology associated with it--It is a MYTH--that it is a jock school--False. It is extremely well-rounded, requires music, arts in addition to strong academics. Amazing acting, artistry and the best band are unusually dominate in this all boys school. Extremely conscious of preparing boys to become men, with strong values, no special favors for wealthy kids--rich kids get put in their place, so if you're seeking a safe haven with special benefits for your wealth, so to St.Albans, where it is available. Landon will kick a__ and holds to strong principles, despite being secular. Great diversity, and they are proud of it. They have rigid honor code, and daily instruction slips those values in all the time. Judge independent schools partly by where graduating students go to college--and do not dismiss a school which has a % going to smaller but great schools. Often that speaks to the diversity of the school, and less wealthy students who have attended Landon or others on scholarship may not be able to afford Princeton, even if admitted. Look instead at the list of colleges the preceding graduating classes have been ADMITTED TO, not attended. The former tells the true story of learning at that school. Also judge by Alum participation in the school--the more that stay active, likely the better the school. Landon is unbelievable in the lifelong tie to the School by alums--they ARE Landon men, and they help each other forever. The school song is "Landon Forever", and it actually is true for grads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Speaking of "self-actualization" (and it's got to be the same poster all the time because it's a relatively dated/arcane word at this point and she always misuses it in the same way -- hint: it doesn't mean self-aggrandizement or vindication of one's own choices) wouldn't assuming that everyone who disagrees with you is just jealous fall into that category as you've defined it?

This is perfect example of the self-centered, holier than than posturing that drags these threads down. The self-annointed judge of grammar and determiner of who is posting.

Feel better about yourself now?

[Anonymous]

I think the so-called "Landon booster" got quite a lot of things right about the school, except for the part about children of the wealthy not being treated differently. At Landon, sons of the big donors' sons definitely get treated differently -- they're placed on sports teams where more talented players get cut, for one thing, and they seem to get awards with amazing frequency. However, I believe that other schools, including GDS and Sidwell, also do this in one form or another. I've found students at both Landon and Sidwell to be, for the most part, intelligent, hardworking and polite. Sure, there are some spoiled/arrogant kids at those schools, but they are the exceptions, not the rule. And OP, don't let all this talk of "alpha males" scare you off. I've met some extremely talented artists and musicians at Landon, some of whom were good at sports and some of whom weren't. I know Sidwell students who were great athletes. I'm sure your son will be happy whatever his choice, and good luck.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the PP -- good post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Speaking of "self-actualization" (and it's got to be the same poster all the time because it's a relatively dated/arcane word at this point and she always misuses it in the same way -- hint: it doesn't mean self-aggrandizement or vindication of one's own choices) wouldn't assuming that everyone who disagrees with you is just jealous fall into that category as you've defined it?

Oh no, is the poster who used to accuse everybody of having "paranoid ideations" back? Same pseudo-psychological vocabulary, same misuse of said vocabulary. She's from NIH, Jeff said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:... At Landon, sons of the big donors' sons definitely get treated differently -- they're placed on sports teams where more talented players get cut, for one thing, and they seem to get awards with amazing frequency. However, I believe that other schools, including GDS and Sidwell, also do this in one form or another. ...

Is it really so? The kids in top private schools get treated differently just because who their parents are or how much money they put forward?

I find this hard to accept on ethical grounds.

More importantly, I find it wrong and dangerous from the perspective of the child's healthy development (both for the more privileged and for the less privileged child).

For me, regardless of who I am and how much money I make, it is important that my kid will learn to earn his successes in life through his own effort.

Is this too much to expect from good private schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:... At Landon, sons of the big donors' sons definitely get treated differently -- they're placed on sports teams where more talented players get cut, for one thing, and they seem to get awards with amazing frequency. However, I believe that other schools, including GDS and Sidwell, also do this in one form or another. ...

Is it really so? The kids in top private schools get treated differently just because who their parents are or how much money they put forward?

Is this too much to expect from good private schools?

People will believe conspiracies about anything (the moon landings were faked! the US government blew up the World Trade Centers! etc etc). Don't believe everything you read on anonymous boards. If you respect the professionals who teach at the private schools, have trust that they'll treat your kids as individuals and not little spread sheet entries reflecting their parents' wealth. Most teachers don't know what the kids' parents do or how much $$$ they have (yes, there are a few exceptions -- I'm sure the teachers of kids whose last names are "Obama" probably know what their parents do for a living), and if they know they don't care -- it's about the kids themselves. If you don't have that level of respect or trust I would advise changing schools or not sending your child to private school at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Is it really so? The kids in top private schools get treated differently just because who their parents are or how much money they put forward?

I find this hard to accept on ethical grounds.

More importantly, I find it wrong and dangerous from the perspective of the child's healthy development (both for the more privileged and for the less privileged child).

For me, regardless of who I am and how much money I make, it is important that my kid will learn to earn his successes in life through his own effort.

Is this too much to expect from good private schools?

Um, isn't this why people send their kids to "good private schools"? So their kids get a better education than they would in public schools? So they can use the money they've earned to give their kids advantages that will increase their odds of successes in life? Or is the equality you believe in only equality among private school kids (or, more specifically, among kids at the same private school)?

[Anonymous]

PP 11:21 Completely agree. Not all private schools follow the practice of placing donor kids on teams at the expense of other students. However, Landon does this. It's too bad,
but it happens all the time. Check the donor 'rankings' then check out ds' spot on the team. Big correlation.