Langley Academic Rigor

[Anonymous]

Langley is a lovely school but not a school for high achievers or over achievers. Langley does not have high expectations for their students but does offer a loving, friendly atmosphere. The school has potential but it has not tapped it as of yet. It is rare anyone goes to TJ or Exeter from Langley after 8th. There's not a lot of challenge or "yes, you can!" At Langley. Children are patted on the back for breathing.

[Anonymous]

You are correct--it is rare that Langley School graduates go on to Exeter or TJ. Only one or two will go on to boarding schools per year. Lately, these have included The Thacher School and Cate in CA, Emma Wilard, Deerfield, Choate, and Mercersburg. Locally, each glass sends kids to NCS, STA, GDS, Maret, Holton, Landon, Potomac, Visitation, Gonzaga, Flint Hill, Madeira, and a variety of others.

[Anonymous]

You are correct--it is rare that Langley School graduates go on to Exeter or TJ. Only one or two will go on to boarding schools per year. Lately, these have included The Thacher School and Cate in CA, Emma Wilard, Deerfield, Choate, and Mercersburg. Locally, each class sends kids to NCS, STA, GDS, Maret, Holton, Landon, Potomac, Visitation, Gonzaga, Flint Hill, Madeira, and a variety of others.

[Anonymous]

Serious question for 09:27 -- Do you know this first-hand? Which other schools in NoVa would you say provide a supportive but challenging atmosphere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Serious question for 09:27 -- Do you know this first-hand? Which other schools in NoVa would you say provide a supportive but challenging atmosphere?

Yes I have first hand knowledge.
I would hope that there are many schools that are nurturing and appropriately challenging out there. But I cannot comment as I don't have first hand knowledge.
Langleys Spanish program is a joke. 1 hr a week is not a "program" and children who already speak fluent Spanish are bored out of their minds and have no other options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are correct--it is rare that Langley School graduates go on to Exeter or TJ. Only one or two will go on to boarding schools per year. Lately, these have included The Thacher School and Cate in CA, Emma Wilard, Deerfield, Choate, and Mercersburg. Locally, each class sends kids to NCS, STA, GDS, Maret, Holton, Landon, Potomac, Visitation, Gonzaga, Flint Hill, Madeira, and a variety of others.

Maybe I am missing something, but what is wrong with the above list (NCS/STA, GDS, Holton, etc)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question for 09:27 -- Do you know this first-hand? Which other schools in NoVa would you say provide a supportive but challenging atmosphere?

Yes I have first hand knowledge.
I would hope that there are many schools that are nurturing and appropriately challenging out there. But I cannot comment as I don't have first hand knowledge.
Langleys Spanish program is a joke. 1 hr a week is not a "program" and children who already speak fluent Spanish are bored out of their minds and have no other options.

I agree that the language program isn't very effective but I personally want more time devoted to the 3 R's in the younger grades so I can't fault them for 2x a week for Spanish (it's twice weekly in the younger grades). There are a lot of kids who speak Spanish at home. I wish they'd pull these kids out during those periods and find something more rewarding for them to do. When they are bored they cause problems for the teachers.

There are many different types of kids at Langley. I know this because I have two very different learners. I think the school is excellent for one and pretty good for the other. My kids will most certainly attend different high schools and I'm fine with that- this is why we chose a k-8.

The writing and science at Langley is excellent. There are some excellent teachers (DD had one in third grade last year who was phenomenal and asked the class to strive for better than his/her best in everything). There are some who are just ok. You will find this at any school.

There are some off the charts kids- some grades have just a sprinkle of them and some have many- and some below the curve kids but I think the majority lie smack in the middle. Some teachers push the middle to do more and some don't.

Langley kids go to high schools that fit them. Whether it's NCS or GDS or Flint Hill, they place them well.

[Anonymous]

The writing is not good in the lower school. And for math there's no emphasis on memorizing facts which is essential. There are also many kids who are clearly ADHD and take more of the teachers' time than others. I've witnessed this myself. The smart, well behaved kids leave and go to Potomac, Holton, Landon and NCs/sta before 8th grade. There are very few girls in the upper math groups. 3rd grade had a mass exodus last year.

[Anonymous]

Our family was just accepted at Langley so some of this is concerning. Has the relatively new administration (head of school and asst head) been responsive to your concerns?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The writing is not good in the lower school. And for math there's no emphasis on memorizing facts which is essential. There are also many kids who are clearly ADHD and take more of the teachers' time than others. I've witnessed this myself. The smart, well behaved kids leave and go to Potomac, Holton, Landon and NCs/sta before 8th grade. There are very few girls in the upper math groups. 3rd grade had a mass exodus last year.

I'm 12:14. I vehemently disagree about the writing. DD has become a very strong writer and this is due to Langley's program. She writes daily on all sorts of subjects using different forms (creative, persuasive, informative, humor etc.). The math program takes getting used to. I was surprised that DD wasn't asked to memorize her multiplication tables the way DH and I did in elementary school. However, while she wasn't drilled her times tables under a clock like I was, she still memorized them by working the problems so often and in so many different ways.

There are some ADD kids. I see this more with DDs grade than DS. As I said, each grade has its own personality.

I have two smart, well behaved kids and we are very happy at Langley. The head of school has been very open to feedback both positive and negative. We do lose kids to various high schools each year but new kids enter and it's been nice socially. I wouldn't say that it's all of the "good kids" leaving but more of a mixture.

For the new family who posted, welcome to the community. It's been a wonderful experience for us.

[Anonymous]

I also think Langley is good at teaching writing. The math program isn't rigorous enough for my child who might have qualified for AAP, but it's ok, and they keep the kids engaged. The school is good for helping kids emotionally and with mild or medicated ADD as long as there aren't behavior problems. Teachers have generally been very good. We've been happy.

[Anonymous]

To the parent who said "there is potential, but it hasn't been tapped yet," what would you like to see done differently?

And is Spanish only taught once a week in grades 1-8? I thought the 2x/week would continue if not expand after K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the parent who said "there is potential, but it hasn't been tapped yet," what would you like to see done differently?

And is Spanish only taught once a week in grades 1-8? I thought the 2x/week would continue if not expand after K.

I'd like to see more comprehensive cross-subject emphasis - engagement between science, art and writing. There's not a lot of connection. The school is multi-cultural so offer Spanish, Chinese and French. Include Latin in the middle school. Allow preschoolers and lower schoolers to see mathematics applied in real life, not just leaving that for the middle schoolers.

Every day math had its place but it's certainly not perfect. Because they're a private school I'd like to see less worksheets and more real world applicable math problems. I see a lot of multiple choice and paper pushing.
For spelling, add in a "word of the week" that truly challenges the kids. Gives them a goal and makes them reach.

[Anonymous]

Langley is a fine school with a number of very smart kids but the reality is that with the tuition and location (Potomac and the DC schools just down the road drawing the 'cream of the crop') they wind up with a number of kids who can pay full freight but need more individualized attention than they could get at more prestigious schools. Langley parents discuss these freely at social events, and I don't think it is an insult to state it openly. There are a few types of parents who exhibit extreme 'Potomac jealously" when a family gets "promoted" but if you are hard-core of that type you would probably send your kids to St. Pat's or something. It is a perfectly nice school--the biggest challenge it likely faces is BASIS, if it ever gets traction.

[Anonymous]

Kids aren't leaving Langley before 8th grade to go to Potomac. Theyre going to Holton/Landon or NCS/St Albans. A few go to Potomac. Many people choose Langley over Potomac. Completely different vibes.