Landon School - the good, the bad? Advice please!

[[e-mail]]

We are not from this area, so I am not completely clear about the black and white divided line between families that love or hate Landon. But, we were very impressed when we went to visit the school, and now our son has been offered a spot in the 5th grade. I have been reading the past posts, but I don't see specifics explaining why people hate this school. My husband is worried about its reputation of being a jock school (our son is not a jock, but does like to play sports and is good at music) and thinks maybe our son may not fit in. I thnk that he may be happy there as it does not seem like sports is it's only strength. Any insight would be very helpful and much appreciated!! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who has a new 3rd grader there this year. He's very bright and not sporty and is thriving. Go with your gut OP. If you liked it during the tour go for it.

[Anonymous]

They have both an excellent music and athletics program. The few I know who attend are and have been quite happy.

[Anonymous]

Would "specifics" from an anonymous forum where many posts aren't even real and where there are haters for every school, Potomac & STA included, make a difference in your choice? Your choice should be based on the fit between child and school, commute, your own experience during interview and real research. I know families at FCPS, STA, Landon, Sidwell, Potomac and everyone is mostly happy with their choice. No school is 100% perfect.

[Anonymous]

This is our third year and we love it! Why don't you drive over to campus some afternoon and just observe... Sounds like a boy that likes sports and enjoys music would love Landon... I think you will see engaged boys at work and play and teachers doing the same... I wish I could go to Landon!!!!!

[Anonymous]

From our perspective, while the school may have good arts and music programs that the boys take advantage of, sports are still the focus of extracurricular life. When meeting a current student or teacher, after name and current school the next question from them is nearly always "what sports do you play." What is your winter sport? What is your spring sport? Personally, I think team sports are great for kids for reasons of health, leadership, time-management, and making friends, etc. The school offers a variety of sports too. However, from our experience, at GDS, Maret, or Sidwell, for example, sports is not the first question applicants get asked about. Perhaps at Landon the boys who participate in the applicant-visit/welcome activities are generally the more sports-focused boys? Perhaps, but that impression carries over to the rest of the school.

[Anonymous]

[e-mail] wrote:We are not from this area, so I am not completely clear about the black and white divided line between families that love or hate Landon. But, we were very impressed when we went to visit the school, and now our son has been offered a spot in the 5th grade. I have been reading the past posts, but I don't see specifics explaining why people hate this school. My husband is worried about its reputation of being a jock school (our son is not a jock, but does like to play sports and is good at music) and thinks maybe our son may not fit in. I thnk that he may be happy there as it does not seem like sports is it's only strength. Any insight would be very helpful and much appreciated!! Thanks!

3rd grade parent here. Very happy with the lower school to date -- as is my son. My son's friends are a mix, some sporty, some not. I'd ask admissions to put you in touch with a family that has a 5th grader that just started this year. You might also want to ask for a shadow day for your boy. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

The good? Every single person I know in real life attending is happy. The bad? Many I don't know (anonymous boards) aren't. Advise? If you're a logical person, do your research and make a decision. If you go off of instincts, go with your gut.

[Anonymous]

I think it's a beautiful campus and the boys look happy for the most part. The one area that was a deciding factor for us when we declined our son's spot for upper school was the code of character: it was a document to memorize but few students/parents/faculty could explain why and how one follows the code-- just that it existed, you memorize it, and that the boys protect their Landon "brothers". That to me is when things can go wrong. I would want my son to follow the ethical path even if it meant turning his back on his "brothers".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a beautiful campus and the boys look happy for the most part. The one area that was a deciding factor for us when we declined our son's spot for upper school was the code of character: it was a document to memorize but few students/parents/faculty could explain why and how one follows the code-- just that it existed, you memorize it, and that the boys protect their Landon "brothers". That to me is when things can go wrong. I would want my son to follow the ethical path even if it meant turning his back on his "brothers".

+1. This is called a false idol.

[Anonymous]

Current MS parent here -- I will say that the head of MS is amazing and I have been very impressed with how the grade deans and the advisers really take the time to get to know the boys - truly care about them.

[Anonymous]

DS is currently in middle school. He is not sporty, and does not play sports outside of school. He is a quiet, more contemplative kid who loves reading. He has had a fabulous year, and we love his friends and teachers.

[Anonymous]

The head of the MS is an amazing, thoughtful woman and the new head of school is a terrific person. My son is very happy and has started to pursue a passion for art (something he had not shown much interest in!). Lots of room to explore new interests and lot of encouragement to try new things.

As far as the honor code and civility code, those were big positives for us. I really like the idea that making tough decisions to do the "right thing" - even when it is tough - is something that is emphasized and discussed. Individual students - and teachers too - present speeches to the school about a difficult moral decision or situation (and how they handled it/learned from it). I have listened to some of these speeches and they are very moving. I don't believe the message is to protect "brothers" but rather to learn from the difficult decisions other students have made…and to strive to be an honorable person. All good things in my opinion.

Whatever your decision on school: good luck! If you chose Landon: welcome!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The head of the MS is an amazing, thoughtful woman and the new head of school is a terrific person. My son is very happy and has started to pursue a passion for art (something he had not shown much interest in!). Lots of room to explore new interests and lot of encouragement to try new things.

As far as the honor code and civility code, those were big positives for us. I really like the idea that making tough decisions to do the "right thing" - even when it is tough - is something that is emphasized and discussed. Individual students - and teachers too - present speeches to the school about a difficult moral decision or situation (and how they handled it/learned from it). I have listened to some of these speeches and they are very moving. I don't believe the message is to protect "brothers" but rather to learn from the difficult decisions other students have made…and to strive to be an honorable person. All good things in my opinion.

Whatever your decision on school: good luck! If you chose Landon: welcome!

PP above. If what you say is true, please tell the admissions team that this message is not what is conveyed. We purposely attended every single Landon event to get as complete a picture as we could and "protect your brothers" is a direct quote from multiple sources. Frankly, it was disconcerting even if not intended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The head of the MS is an amazing, thoughtful woman and the new head of school is a terrific person. My son is very happy and has started to pursue a passion for art (something he had not shown much interest in!). Lots of room to explore new interests and lot of encouragement to try new things.

As far as the honor code and civility code, those were big positives for us. I really like the idea that making tough decisions to do the "right thing" - even when it is tough - is something that is emphasized and discussed. Individual students - and teachers too - present speeches to the school about a difficult moral decision or situation (and how they handled it/learned from it). I have listened to some of these speeches and they are very moving. I don't believe the message is to protect "brothers" but rather to learn from the difficult decisions other students have made…and to strive to be an honorable person. All good things in my opinion.

Whatever your decision on school: good luck! If you chose Landon: welcome!

I like this philosophy. To each is own, I guess. Good luck, OP.