Which School Has the Bigger Perception Problem - Landon or Sidwell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Supporters of Maret/GDS, people who have been rejected by Sidwell and those are resentful of its "liberal elite" status are most likely to revel in Sidwell bashing.

Prep boosters and those who resent Landon's "elite athletic" status are most likely to revel in their bashing.

In both cases, its about jealousy.

Oh please. I think its the opposite actually. People to whom neither school appeals can not understand why some people proclaim that [insert school] is the best thing going and no other school compares. Both schools have narrow focuses and both have major downsides. That said, both have very strong attributes as well. I do think these are two of the most divisive private schools in Washington with some of the most obnoxious student and parent bodies. I suppose THAT is why BOTH have a perception problem.

Perfectly stated.

[Anonymous]

All the area private schools have wealthy and self important Type A families, not just Sidwell and Landon. All of these schools' comunities think that they are the "best". Sidwell and Landon are high profile relative to others for various reasons right now. Soon enough, someplace else will be the center of discussion. But many seem to delight in taking potshots at these schools right now with unfair generalizations. What is interesting is how many of STA's shortcomings/embarassing events have been detailed on this site but never reach the media.

[Anonymous]

i give up on this site. It's become overrun by smarmy, nasty, stupid threads that raise issues totally that blow things completely out of proportionto reality. It has become a virtual playground for teenagers and adults to bash and tear at each with absolutely no basis in facts other the shit they just make up off the top of their heads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the area private schools have wealthy and self important Type A families, not just Sidwell and Landon. All of these schools' comunities think that they are the "best". Sidwell and Landon are high profile relative to others for various reasons right now. Soon enough, someplace else will be the center of discussion. But many seem to delight in taking potshots at these schools right now with unfair generalizations. What is interesting is how many of STA's shortcomings/embarassing events have been detailed on this site but never reach the media.

Is that some kind of joke? Do you not recall all the publicity when Gore's son was expelled/withdrew? Or how the entire drama surrounding the dismissal of Mark Mullin was detailed in the Washingtonian?

[Anonymous]

Is that some kind of joke? Do you not recall all the publicity when Gore's son was expelled/withdrew? Or how the entire drama surrounding the dismissal of Mark Mullin was detailed in the Washingtonian?

I wasn't in the area during that era. But the recent sexual and discpline issues at STA have flown under the radar while other schools get highlighted.

[Anonymous]

The BB gun thing was all over the news. Other than that, the fact that STA expelled/asked kids to withdraw last year over smoking marijuana on school grounds was certainly mentioned on DCUM. I don't know why it would be seen as newsworthy enough to make it into the media--it might be different if a president's child went to STA and then you'd have the CityPaper running mean spirited gloating articles. It appears that Sidwell is under the microscope in the media because of the presence of the First Daughters, and Landon got the fall-out from the Huguely case. (For example, I doubt Maureen Dowd writes her column without the Huguely publicity coming first.). All schools have discipline issues; all one can do is look at how they respond (and hold your breath that the CityPaper doesn't decide to have fun with the incident, whatever it is).

[Anonymous]

It's like comparing apples and oranges, because Sidwell and Landon aren't even in the same orbit. Landon is an all boys school and would be comparable to other well known boys schools like Georgetown Prep, Gonzaga and St. Alban's.

Sidwell is more in line with GDS.

[Anonymous]

I am not a Landon parent, but I see they have released a public midyear report apprising their community on the efforts to address issues surrounding bad behavior. Kudos to them for taking some very necessary steps.

Did Sidwell issue any kind of statement/change in policy regarding the child molester or the misogynistic rant?

http://www.landon.net/page.cfm?p=279&newsid=625

[SAM2]

Baa baaaa baa!

[Anonymous]

"I am not a Landon parent"....yeah right...

Anonymous wrote:I am not a Landon parent, but I see they have released a public midyear report apprising their community on the efforts to address issues surrounding bad behavior. Kudos to them for taking some very necessary steps.

Did Sidwell issue any kind of statement/change in policy regarding the child molester or the misogynistic rant?

http://www.landon.net/page.cfm?p=279&newsid=625

[Anonymous]

So what if it is or isn't. All the Landon haters complain that Landon is doing nothing, putting their heads in the sand, never telling anyone what they are doing etc.

Someone posts a link to a very detailed summary of the current status and you first reaction is "Yeah right"

[Anonymous]

I read it and it is quite impressive. Certainly conveys that the school is taking these issues seriously. (FWIW, I am a Sidwell parent).

[Anonymous]

I am a Sidwell parent as well with familial connections to Landon. The 6 month update is impressive and shows how seriously Landon is taking things. There's not much else one could ask for at this stage in terms of comprehensive and thoughtful approach. Naysayers will say that this is all window dressing, but the school is clearly doing all it can and communicating appropriately with its community.

[Anonymous]

The update from Landon is pretty good. Time will tell whether or not they've enacted TRUE change or if it's business as usual.

What about Sidwell? Did they issue an apology to parents over the poem?

[Anonymous]

The Landon write up looks good. Let's see what they actually do.