Landon and Bullis -- schools that are evolving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:its weird he went from mater dei to landon. nobody goes to landon from mater dei. big rivalry and completely catholic to totally secular.

I thought that was unusual. Don't Mater Dei boys usually go to Prep or Gonzaga? However, I doubt it was a matter of being admitted as Landon is usually harder to get into.

The Huguely family has long standing ties to Landon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bullis is in no mans land. Always has been... may always be...

Its root were as a Naval Prep school
Then an all boys semi reform school
Then co-ed for average students
Then hired current Head of Sidwell - tried to compete academically with the big boys - failed
Now trying to compete with big boys athletically - we shall see

On academics, they will throw a lot of terms out to you. STEM, nice campus, balance blah blah blah. Facts are facts.
1. almost no HYPMS. Maybe 1 per year at most.
2. almost no National Merit Scholars
3. almost no distinguished alums - very little relative to a similar size of Landon, Holton, STA, GP, Sidwell etc

Serious students do not choose to go here. Serious students are here because mommy and daddy dont want to drive them far away from their 20814 McMansion.

This is a public school you pay for.

Bullis does not have the academic reputation of an STA, etc. But your snarky "this is a public school you pay for" is a bit harsh. Under Farquhar, academics were emphasized to the point where athletics were marginalized, which led to a lot of defections. From what I can see, Bullis is trying for a balance of top academics/athletics. Not sure if they will get there, but the facilities are in place. In terms of academic successes, we'll see if those numbers improve. But many parents don't necessarily see "HYP or bust" as the end game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis is in no mans land. Always has been... may always be...

Its root were as a Naval Prep school
Then an all boys semi reform school
Then co-ed for average students
Then hired current Head of Sidwell - tried to compete academically with the big boys - failed
Now trying to compete with big boys athletically - we shall see

On academics, they will throw a lot of terms out to you. STEM, nice campus, balance blah blah blah. Facts are facts.
1. almost no HYPMS. Maybe 1 per year at most.
2. almost no National Merit Scholars
3. almost no distinguished alums - very little relative to a similar size of Landon, Holton, STA, GP, Sidwell etc

Serious students do not choose to go here. Serious students are here because mommy and daddy dont want to drive them far away from their 20814 McMansion.

This is a public school you pay for.

Bullis does not have the academic reputation of an STA, etc. But your snarky "this is a public school you pay for" is a bit harsh. Under Farquhar, academics were emphasized to the point where athletics were marginalized, which led to a lot of defections. From what I can see, Bullis is trying for a balance of top academics/athletics. Not sure if they will get there, but the facilities are in place. In terms of academic successes, we'll see if those numbers improve. But many parents don't necessarily see "HYP or bust" as the end game.

Don't waste your energy. The "public you pay for poster" is a long standing Bullis basher. He posts that same tired saying over and over and over again. He has posted it at least 5 times on the other Bullis thread.

Really nothing on this forum is very credible anymore. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bullis is in no mans land. Always has been... may always be...

Its root were as a Naval Prep school
Then an all boys semi reform school
Then co-ed for average students
Then hired current Head of Sidwell - tried to compete academically with the big boys - failed
Now trying to compete with big boys athletically - we shall see

On academics, they will throw a lot of terms out to you. STEM, nice campus, balance blah blah blah. Facts are facts.
1. almost no HYPMS. Maybe 1 per year at most.
2. almost no National Merit Scholars
3. almost no distinguished alums - very little relative to a similar size of Landon, Holton, STA, GP, Sidwell etc

Serious students do not choose to go here. Serious students are here because mommy and daddy dont want to drive them far away from their 20814 McMansion.

This is a public school you pay for.

Sour grapes. Bullis has been around for 80 years, is not going anywhere. Bullis will provide a solid education, balanced with arts and yes - athletics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis is in no mans land. Always has been... may always be...

Its root were as a Naval Prep school
Then an all boys semi reform school
Then co-ed for average students
Then hired current Head of Sidwell - tried to compete academically with the big boys - failed
Now trying to compete with big boys athletically - we shall see

On academics, they will throw a lot of terms out to you. STEM, nice campus, balance blah blah blah. Facts are facts.
1. almost no HYPMS. Maybe 1 per year at most.
2. almost no National Merit Scholars
3. almost no distinguished alums - very little relative to a similar size of Landon, Holton, STA, GP, Sidwell etc

Serious students do not choose to go here. Serious students are here because mommy and daddy dont want to drive them far away from their 20814 McMansion.

This is a public school you pay for.

Bullis does not have the academic reputation of an STA, etc. But your snarky "this is a public school you pay for" is a bit harsh. Under Farquhar, academics were emphasized to the point where athletics were marginalized, which led to a lot of defections. From what I can see, Bullis is trying for a balance of top academics/athletics. Not sure if they will get there, but the facilities are in place. In terms of academic successes, we'll see if those numbers improve. But many parents don't necessarily see "HYP or bust" as the end game.

Actually, Farquhar established a balance among academics, athletics and the arts -- a winning strategy if Boarman hadn't come in. Now the emphasis is on football, basketball and boys' lacrosse. Other sports, including nearly all girls' sports, are being neglected in comparison to just a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:its weird he went from mater dei to landon. nobody goes to landon from mater dei. big rivalry and completely catholic to totally secular.

I thought that was unusual. Don't Mater Dei boys usually go to Prep or Gonzaga? However, I doubt it was a matter of being admitted as Landon is usually harder to get into.

The Huguely family has long standing ties to Landon.

That's not true. Though the Huguely's like most well to do families supported the school after GH was admitted.

This article discusses the accusations against UVA including the suggestion that GH assaulted the daughter of a Landon teacher while GH was at UVA because the girl told her father about GH's erratic behavior at UVA. Something changed him at UVA.

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/capitalcomment/local-news/did-landon-lacrosse-coach-know-george-huguely-v-was-a-violent-drunk-at-uva.php

[Anonymous]

GH's father went to Landon and I think his grandfather did as well. They were long time donors to the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, 22:35, sports is a focus for us, but academics are also. We have heard that St. Albans is a primo location for both, but we were a little squeamish about getting involved in a school that was also religion-based. I have heard that the religious aspect of St. Albans is not incidental. Some have warned us that Bullis has some watered-down academics, which is of course not what Bullis represents, so we were trying to get a realistic sense of that aspect by tuning in here.

The religion isn't incidental, but the atmosphere is quite open and inclusive religiously -- lots of Catholic, Jewish students in addition to the many varieties of Protestants. The twice-weekly chapel is often more about ethics and what's important to the speaker (most homilies are given by the students, and some faculty), which could be religious faith but is not necessarily. The religion courses are more in a spirit of academic inquiry -- certainly no proselytizing. If you like what you hear of it "other than religion," you should have a look -- you may find the religious element more than you prefer, but you may also find it is not troubling to you.

Good luck.

Former STA parent here. I recall that when my son graduated he received a copy of a school publication titled "Grace" which is a collection of all (or mostly all) of the chapel homilies that school year. I suspect they still publish it and I'm sure if you request a copy, they will provide you with one. Read it and decide if the tone is too religious before dismissing the school as a destination for your son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis is in no mans land. Always has been... may always be...

Its root were as a Naval Prep school
Then an all boys semi reform school
Then co-ed for average students
Then hired current Head of Sidwell - tried to compete academically with the big boys - failed
Now trying to compete with big boys athletically - we shall see

On academics, they will throw a lot of terms out to you. STEM, nice campus, balance blah blah blah. Facts are facts.
1. almost no HYPMS. Maybe 1 per year at most.
2. almost no National Merit Scholars
3. almost no distinguished alums - very little relative to a similar size of Landon, Holton, STA, GP, Sidwell etc

Serious students do not choose to go here. Serious students are here because mommy and daddy dont want to drive them far away from their 20814 McMansion.

This is a public school you pay for.

Bullis does not have the academic reputation of an STA, etc. But your snarky "this is a public school you pay for" is a bit harsh. Under Farquhar, academics were emphasized to the point where athletics were marginalized, which led to a lot of defections. From what I can see, Bullis is trying for a balance of top academics/athletics. Not sure if they will get there, but the facilities are in place. In terms of academic successes, we'll see if those numbers improve. But many parents don't necessarily see "HYP or bust" as the end game.

Actually, Farquhar established a balance among academics, athletics and the arts -- a winning strategy if Boarman hadn't come in. Now the emphasis is on football, basketball and boys' lacrosse. Other sports, including nearly all girls' sports, are being neglected in comparison to just a few years ago.

Wrong. There was no balance at Bullis under Farquhar. Lots of families interested in a balance between academics and athletics left under his tenure. Farquhar apparently believed a strong academic school and a strong athletic program were mutually exclusive, and sought to de-emphasize sports at Bullis.

[Anonymous]

Wrong. There was no balance at Bullis under Farquhar. Lots of families interested in a balance between academics and athletics left under his tenure. Farquhar apparently believed a strong academic school and a strong athletic program were mutually exclusive, and sought to de-emphasize sports at Bullis.

Well, if "strong academic school" is synonymous with a school that doesn't require the SSAT for athletic admits, redshirts players during high school, and takes senior sports transfers (one of whom only stayed the three months of the football season), then yes, the new regime at Bullis is achieving the balance! (Just know that whatever you all are telling yourself out there on Falls Road, the rest of the area isn't buying it.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GH's father went to Landon and I think his grandfather did as well. They were long time donors to the school.

...and Holton ties for Huguely girls.

[Anonymous]

Nobody cares Sisyphus, move on.

You stand alone in your opinion.

Anonymous wrote:Wrong. There was no balance at Bullis under Farquhar. Lots of families interested in a balance between academics and athletics left under his tenure. Farquhar apparently believed a strong academic school and a strong athletic program were mutually exclusive, and sought to de-emphasize sports at Bullis.

Well, if "strong academic school" is synonymous with a school that doesn't require the SSAT for athletic admits, redshirts players during high school, and takes senior sports transfers (one of whom only stayed the three months of the football season), then yes, the new regime at Bullis is achieving the balance! (Just know that whatever you all are telling yourself out there on Falls Road, the rest of the area isn't buying it.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody cares Sisyphus, move on.

You stand alone in your opinion.

Anonymous wrote:Wrong. There was no balance at Bullis under Farquhar. Lots of families interested in a balance between academics and athletics left under his tenure. Farquhar apparently believed a strong academic school and a strong athletic program were mutually exclusive, and sought to de-emphasize sports at Bullis.

Well, if "strong academic school" is synonymous with a school that doesn't require the SSAT for athletic admits, redshirts players during high school, and takes senior sports transfers (one of whom only stayed the three months of the football season), then yes, the new regime at Bullis is achieving the balance! (Just know that whatever you all are telling yourself out there on Falls Road, the rest of the area isn't buying it.)

Nope, everyone's laughing at Bullis. Joke's on you, Jocasta.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis is in no mans land. Always has been... may always be...

Its root were as a Naval Prep school
Then an all boys semi reform school
Then co-ed for average students
Then hired current Head of Sidwell - tried to compete academically with the big boys - failed
Now trying to compete with big boys athletically - we shall see

On academics, they will throw a lot of terms out to you. STEM, nice campus, balance blah blah blah. Facts are facts.
1. almost no HYPMS. Maybe 1 per year at most.
2. almost no National Merit Scholars
3. almost no distinguished alums - very little relative to a similar size of Landon, Holton, STA, GP, Sidwell etc

Serious students do not choose to go here. Serious students are here because mommy and daddy dont want to drive them far away from their 20814 McMansion.

This is a public school you pay for.

Bullis does not have the academic reputation of an STA, etc. But your snarky "this is a public school you pay for" is a bit harsh. Under Farquhar, academics were emphasized to the point where athletics were marginalized, which led to a lot of defections. From what I can see, Bullis is trying for a balance of top academics/athletics. Not sure if they will get there, but the facilities are in place. In terms of academic successes, we'll see if those numbers improve. But many parents don't necessarily see "HYP or bust" as the end game.

Actually, Farquhar established a balance among academics, athletics and the arts -- a winning strategy if Boarman hadn't come in. Now the emphasis is on football, basketball and boys' lacrosse. Other sports, including nearly all girls' sports, are being neglected in comparison to just a few years ago.

Wrong. There was no balance at Bullis under Farquhar. Lots of families interested in a balance between academics and athletics left under his tenure. Farquhar apparently believed a strong academic school and a strong athletic program were mutually exclusive, and sought to de-emphasize sports at Bullis.

Yes, to place less emphasis on sports-- which had been pre-eminent -- and more emphasis on academics and the arts -- which had been neglected; in other words, to create balance.

[Anonymous]

My impression is that Farquar didn't want to be seen as "using" kids they way the current administration does. If grades and SAT scores don't qualify a kid for the NCAA clearinghouse, then ultimately, that kid will likely fail. If you want a credible academic institution, then you also need student athletes who can make the grade (and the Clearinghouse). Otherwise, everyone loses. That is the direction of the new regime at Bullis.