Landon Admissions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was anyone's DC admitted to Landon, and you're choosing another option? If so, what most influenced your decision?

We too were accepted at Landon, as well as three other schools. We likely will not enroll at Landon. It is nothing to do with Landon itself. We believe it is an excellent school overall. You will see a fair amount of negative press on this and other threads regarding the school. With its past and its male dominated environment, it is a place that is often deemed contraversial. I have done alot of homework here. Frankly, and I know there is a set of people that are going to sneer at this, I believe some of that negativity comes from jealousy and resentment toward athletic. alpha boys.

We are not attending Landon simply because we have a preferred top choice. We would be very happy to have our son attend there. This is one of those schools that you really need to assess if your kid would fit into the culture there. It is not for the faint hearted. However, if there is a match, it is unsurpassed in leadership development and growing your son into being able to flourish in the real world.

For those who plan to turn down Landon, please share what grade. Waitlisted parent here.

[Anonymous]

I know one family that's turning down 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
to 09:22
I have noticed your point that Landon "is not for the faint hearted" and would really like to understand it. Can you please give an example or explain?

First off, I should say that this question is best answered by someone with kids there. My perspective is of someone who has multiple acceptances for our sons there, and we did alot of research well before then.

Again, I wil tell you as a preface that we think very highly of Landon. We believe it is overall an excellent school. As you know, it is a male dominated culture with athletics highly esteemed. Being good at athletics is a form of currency at the school, even for just participating on teams. Competitiveness is fostered at the school, both internally and externally. I believe this is done in a healthy manner, and prepares the boys for the real world and also for leadership positions. Alpha males and all of the other things that go with a testosterone laden environment.
And the question is, can a non-athlete flourish there? I am familiar of accounts where this can happen. Certainly, the schools has the richness and diversity of academic and other programs to enable. I believe this can be the case. But as to if a non-athletic, gentler boy can find his way there, I believe it depends on the kid. And I also think it would be valuable for a Landon parent to weigh in here. It is not an issue we have to deal with as each of our boys are athletic (lacrosse, football, basketball) and pretty aggressive. Yet we work hard to make them gentlemen.
The school seems to have done a good job over the last few years correcting the problems that we created though the cheating scandal. Sometimes, an event like that causes the school to be ever vigilant.

[Anonymous]

Landon 4th grade is great, 3rd grade is a disaster. The famous Ms. L is a killer on homework and "structure" go for 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

Why is 3rd a disaster?

[Anonymous]

And, how many third graders are there

[Anonymous]

There are 2 classes, 15 boys in each class.

[Anonymous]

When applying to a private school, I think one of the most important sets of information is the most difficult to collect. That is, what is the make-up of the particular grade you are applying to. For instance, Landon Class of 2011, may have a fantastic bunch of kids and parents. However, the class of 2012 has a three or four rotten apples. Believe me, the kids yours kids will be going to school with are just as big an influence on your experience as the school itself. This is true for every school.

[Anonymous]

Better to go with a school that has a great reputations. Admissions are tighter.

[Anonymous]

I agree with how sensibly 14:39 has analyzed the situation. Peers often have more influence than parents.

[Anonymous]

And that's where good Admissions followed up with good
administration come in.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

I did not mean to disparage any class at Landon, just trying to set up a hypothetical that could be true at any school.

[Anonymous]

Each year, one of the 6th grade teacher/coaches at Landon pronounces the 6th grade class to be the 'worst class ever'.
This teacher is one of the best at the school and he seems genuinely dismayed at some of the behavior. Parents complain incessantly about him. He's one of the very few
faculty members who will try to stop bad behavior. So, don't worry about people thinking you might be singling out the Class of 2012. 2013 is worse. There's not enough time to single them all out.

[Anonymous]

Interesting -- please expound pp