Landon Head of School Leaving

[Anonymous]

Lots of turnover everywhere right now, nothing special at Landon

[Anonymous]

Agree. PP what firsthand knowledge do you have of this boy and his family to make such categorical statements about what happened?

[Anonymous]

Mr. Neill was a great asset to Landon, for sure.

When my kids were in elementary school at National Presbyterian School (starting in approximately 2008 or so), Jim Neill was the Head of School. He was such a great leader for NPS. He has had a very positive impact on a lot of kids over the years. Maybe he has decided to retire, although he is young for that (mid 50's I believe).

I am guessing that a Head of School job (in general) is very demanding and perhaps a thankless job at times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Mr. Neill was a great asset to Landon, for sure.

When my kids were in elementary school at National Presbyterian School (starting in approximately 2008 or so), Jim Neill was the Head of School. He was such a great leader for NPS. He has had a very positive impact on a lot of kids over the years. Maybe he has decided to retire, although he is young for that (mid 50's I believe).

I am guessing that a Head of School job (in general) is very demanding and perhaps a thankless job at times.

He turned 50 during his time at NPS, so I would think he's at least 60.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The timing is interesting based on the recent legal settlement; My first thought is that this is related. The delayed departure give me pause.

I just saw the suit was settled and wondered the same thing. This kid had a lot of issues before Landon and Landon wasn't a good fit. This is a kid who needed serious mental health treatment and probably hospitalization. That's something the parents had to do not the school.

You are a nasty piece of work. Disgusting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The timing is interesting based on the recent legal settlement; My first thought is that this is related. The delayed departure give me pause.

I just saw the suit was settled and wondered the same thing. This kid had a lot of issues before Landon and Landon wasn't a good fit. This is a kid who needed serious mental health treatment and probably hospitalization. That's something the parents had to do not the school.

The settlement thinks otherwise. It is related

Yeah, he learned that parents will always blame others for their kid's problems. I can see him being just done with the nonsense.

His parents were standing up for other kids. There is no world where it is right what happened to him. PP if you are an adult and saying this sort of thing you have serious issues.

Agree. That PP is evil saying that about anyone’s child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember when he left NPS and the school had a similar reaction. Was any reason given?

Having worked with him in a different school, he is someone who puts a great deal of effort into school culture. If it's any comfort, he will leave a lot of goodness in place that his successor can launch his/her own initiatives from. Congratulations Jim!

[Anonymous]

I’m sure he’s just tired and done, it’s a tough job, especially in times of high emotion. He has led through a lot, including covid. He is about 58, so I imagine he’ll consult or do something after he takes a breather. It’s a well-deserved break and a chance to assess what he wants, I’d presume.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jim Neill, Landon’s Head of School for the last 10 years, has announced that he will be leaving after the 25-26 school year. No word on what he will do. It’s obviously his idea, not the school’s. He has been a great success, completing a $50 million fundraising campaign, updating the school’s whole physical plant, doubling their (relatively small) endowment, and been widely admired and appreciated by the boys, their parents, and alumni.
He could well be the best headmaster the school has ever had - it’s probably Jim or Paul Banfield, the school’s founder almost 100 years ago. He will be tough to replace.
I speak from the position of being both a Landon alum and a former parent.
What now remains to be done?
There was a time many years ago when Landon was widely regarded academically in the same league as St. Albans and Sidwell Friends with a college admissions record to match. I believe that I am correct in recalling a Landon class in the late 1950s that sent a full half of its graduating class to Yale or Princeton - and these were not athletic admits. It would be great if Landon could bring back some of that academic strength to go with other strengths they now have.

Umm, you want to go back to the 1950s college admissions?!

Are you aware that during that time, at the NE boarding schools, kids would sign up for HYP the way you’d sign up for intramural softball?

I’m not exaggerating. A rep would come to Andover, for example, and ask them which boys would be going the next year.

I would never want to go back to those days.

— An Andover alum

[Anonymous]

Just be mindful that someone dug up a nearly year-old thread to call out a previous commenter for being “a nasty piece of work.” Best to ignore the conversation and move on with your life.