Comparing all boys schools in the area.

[Anonymous]

Interesting. Looks like they are making a real effort to think about whether the status quo needs to change. However, I note no women in senior leadership, and the only women involved at all in the new process are non teaching faculty: admissions, college counseling, and the registrar. But they say they are going to try to identify leadership opportunities, so the jury is out.

Also, they have a problem with Board interference. No overt mention of it, but perhaps if they make some changes to the disciplinary system getting the Board OUT of discipline will happen.

[Anonymous]

It seems they shouldn't have Board Members who have kids currently at the school. There seems to be too much Board interference for the "privileged boys" vs. those who aren't.

[Anonymous]

To Clown who posted this:

I assume you are some father at Landon or some clueless parent who thinks Johnny Boy should be an All star and get more playing time. Anyone who has coached youth sports before, recognizes boys with natural talent and those who work their hardest to improve their game. Not every kid who goes to Landon, Mater Dei or Prep is an athletic super star. Coaching can only a boy so far its what the boy does after practice on his own time. Kids will never become the athletes they want to become if they just think an hour of practice will develop them into stars.

The last time I checked, Landon MS athletics are pretty solid. They seem to beat every local school they play except for Mater Dei. Mater Dei has a different athletic philosophy than Landon, STA and Bullis. MD is clearly the best athletic school in the area for sports at the MS level. Disregard that Mater Dei has a lot of boys who turn 15 in 8th grade, MD has a much longer sports practice than most MS teams do in the area.

Landon MS sports practices typically run from 2:30 to 3:45ish depending on who the coach is.

Why don't you give an example of poor sportsmanship at Landon. I guess Landon is the only school in the area that has bullies.

Whether your son is a starter on the football field or is a bench-warmer, the life lessons boys through competitive team sports are invaluable.

[Anonymous]

Looks like Landon is actually starting to change with its disciplinary routes and hopefully the limit the power of the board in this year to keep a very disciplined school.

[Anonymous]

I like the "respectful treatment of women and girls" and note Landon guys do not have a lock on poor behavior. Each school might have a negative PR situation waiting in the wings[or on the field or bench].

[Anonymous]

I hope there is a way that they increase activities with Holton-Arms to provide the boys with more classes and activities with Holton girls so they can get a little "co-ed feel" because don't joke yourself, it's necessary. There's only so much speakers and adults can do. More interaction with girls through classes, fundraisers, and other educational purposes is necessary.

[Anonymous]

Agree, 7:48. All-boys education is great on many fronts but the lack of socialization with girls can be a real negative.

[Anonymous]

I also agree with 7:48, It is quite necessary for boys(all boys schools) to interact a little with girls through educational activities such as classes, trips, and fundraisers because both develop mutual respect towards each other.

[Anonymous]

How do people think about Landon vs Georgetown Prep? Are they the same academically?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do people think about Landon vs Georgetown Prep? Are they the same academically?

Basically, yes. Prep requires the boys take two years of Latin plus another three years of another foreign language. They also have religion classes at least three years, which are much more philosophy-oriented (i.e., religion classes at Prep are not Bible study).

[Anonymous]

The top five boys schools in the area:

1. St. Alban's
2. Georgetown Prep
3. Woodbury Forest (boarding)
4. Landon
5. Gonzaga

[Anonymous]

Landon and Prep are very different school environments, but nationally Landon is more respected and better known by colleges than Prep. That may not be real or fair, or may be a result of so many more Prep grads funneling into catholic colleges and not being as geographically spread out, but it's true.

Interestingly, Landon and STA are mentioned more in the same breath when people in DC talk about serious academic all boys schools, and the parents at both these schools are often professional colleagues in the same social circles. On the other hand, the Prep and Landon kids, once they put aside the athletic rivalry, actually seem to have more in common and become good friends moving forward than they do with the STA kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The top five boys schools in the area:

1. St. Alban's
2. Georgetown Prep
3. Woodbury Forest (boarding)
4. Landon
5. Gonzaga

Not at all. Take away the boarding school and Landon and GP would swap places. Landon is much more selective than GP in terms of admissions.

[Anonymous]

People like to rank or mention Sta, Prep and Landon in the same breath when discussing all boys schools but the 3 really are different:

You need to first decide if you want a catholic school or not, since this affects the curriculum as well as the general environment. Prep and Gonzaga are the 2 best and each offers semething different. Gonzaga is more urban, diverse and grounded, while Prep is more suburban with better facilities. Both of these are more diverse than either Landon or Sta.

Sta has a more "northwest DC" feel, with families that are connected to the political/lobbying/journalist world, much like Sidwell and Maret. This has its pluses and minuses, including a sense of self importance and entitlement.


Landon is like Sta but has the similar suburban feel as Prep, with a great campus and facilities. It has many wealthy families who come from small businesses/law firms but not the same self important attitude of the political environment of Sta and other NW DC schools. The sense of entitlement is still there, more from living in a small financial minority.

All are great academically, athletically and in extra curriculars. If you know people at the schools, you will find they are passionate and happy. You cannot go wrong between these in terms of your college destination. No school will place your son any better or worse than the others as the playing field is level nowadays. It will be up to your son's own academic performance.

[Anonymous]

PP well said