Langley Academic Rigor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a Langley family that came from public a couple of years ago. Two kids in lower school. I think many think grass is always greener-I think that the behavior issues were much worse in public with larger classes and kids who just didn't care about others. I have found most of the children in my kids classes at Langley to be polite and good kids. Yes, there are always troublemakers but to think that you'll find less of that at another school is naive. Children are children-they are not all the same and Langley is a place that suits many.

To the poster sending your DC to Langley-welcome. I think you'll be pleased and find it a great environment for your kid. School is a place for your child to flourish and learn-not just a bumper sticker and an ego boost for the parent.

With all due respect, this is just not true. I know you are putting the best spin on Langley because you have kids there, but please do not give misleading information.

As a Langley parent I agree!!

Your experience isn't everyone's experience! I don't know what grades your kids are in but we are happy with our experience. Not putting a spin on it-both my kids are thriving there. In my experience, the ones who complain the most are usually the biggest problem--and don't realize their own children may be part of it.

[Anonymous]

Former Langley parent and we left LS because the behavior was appalling. Constant, disruptive behavior in classroom and nothing effective was done to address it. The misconduct was pervasive and prevented a "joy of learning" atmosphere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a Langley family that came from public a couple of years ago. Two kids in lower school. I think many think grass is always greener-I think that the behavior issues were much worse in public with larger classes and kids who just didn't care about others. I have found most of the children in my kids classes at Langley to be polite and good kids. Yes, there are always troublemakers but to think that you'll find less of that at another school is naive. Children are children-they are not all the same and Langley is a place that suits many.

To the poster sending your DC to Langley-welcome. I think you'll be pleased and find it a great environment for your kid. School is a place for your child to flourish and learn-not just a bumper sticker and an ego boost for the parent.

With all due respect, this is just not true. I know you are putting the best spin on Langley because you have kids there, but please do not give misleading information.

As a Langley parent I agree!!

Your experience isn't everyone's experience! I don't know what grades your kids are in but we are happy with our experience. Not putting a spin on it-both my kids are thriving there. In my experience, the ones who complain the most are usually the biggest problem--and don't realize their own children may be part of it.

Hi, this is the pp who said that we are leaving Langley due to both behavior issues, with many of the boys in our child's class, and the desire for a more rigorous math curriculum. I also pointed out that Langley had a great community and that while our experience has led us to applying out (and some other families), this doesn't mean that everyone is unhappy. I don't think we are a big problem. The teachers' have been very kind to my child, and likes the teachers (including the ones in specials) very much. What is not working for our kid is the amount of disruptions. Not every child is going to handle that as well as another. Where one child may be able to ignore or move on quickly after a major behavior issue of another, my child feels sad, distracted and feels aggrieved after having to have a lesson interrupted. That said, I am guessing that not every class is having the same issue.

I think it is unkind, and frankly 'un-Langleylike' to infer that those of us leaving are the one's with 'the biggest problem and don't realize that their own children are a part of it'. I trust that the feedback that we've received in parent/teacher conferences and on report cards that our child is very interested in learning, is well behaved and is productive member of the class is correct. And I appreciated that the Langley lower school head was sympathetic and helpful when we decided to apply out. Again, she said she was sorry that our child would be leaving and thought that things could be worked out, but respected our decision. We believe we are leaving on very good terms.

I don't think it is helpful to make blanket statements that all of Langley is 'bad' because of behavior issues. And I don't think throwing stones back at those of us who are leaving is helpful to anyone either. To any new families, I think you will find as a whole, that the community at Langley is warm and welcoming. My child loves the friendships, and truly cares for the teachers. You will find that the teachers will really take an interest in your child. And, if you find your child is in a very happy class, or have a child who doesn't internalize the stress of the behavior issues of others it will work very well. We don't regret our time at Langley, but it is time to move on. We're lucky to have so many choices in this area so we can find the right fit.

[Anonymous]

To those that applied out, was it difficult to get into other private schools later on? I realize it depends upon which school you are applying to and what your child's grades/test scores are like, but generally speaking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To those that applied out, was it difficult to get into other private schools later on? I realize it depends upon which school you are applying to and what your child's grades/test scores are like, but generally speaking.

As you said, it depends on grades and which school. Potomac, Holton, etc tends to be harder obviously. Another K-8 in VA a lot easier (Congressional, Westminster, etc). Flint Hill will role out a red carpet for you and would be even easier than the aforementioned K-8s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those that applied out, was it difficult to get into other private schools later on? I realize it depends upon which school you are applying to and what your child's grades/test scores are like, but generally speaking.

As you said, it depends on grades and which school. Potomac, Holton, etc tends to be harder obviously. Another K-8 in VA a lot easier (Congressional, Westminster, etc). Flint Hill will role out a red carpet for you and would be even easier than the aforementioned K-8s.

It also depends on whether it is an expansion year at the school to which you are applying. That said, Langley forwarded transcripts and had teacher recommendations completed in a very timely manner.

[Anonymous]

My child is at Langley and has fabulous teachers this year, involved and caring. That said, I am not a big fan of the social scene - a bit too cliquish for my taste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is at Langley and has fabulous teachers this year, involved and caring. That said, I am not a big fan of the social scene - a bit too cliquish for my taste.

The point is not the teachers' academic quality but the inability to control out of control children. Rest assured Nysmith has some of this as well and Congressional is probably as bad as Langley in that regard. Westminster the kids are well-behaved but that comes at a price--discipline there is often considered over the top. Pick your poison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is at Langley and has fabulous teachers this year, involved and caring. That said, I am not a big fan of the social scene - a bit too cliquish for my taste.

Really? I truly think if you take the time to get involved you'll think otherwise. Yes there's a group that is super involved, but they have o my ever been generous and kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is at Langley and has fabulous teachers this year, involved and caring. That said, I am not a big fan of the social scene - a bit too cliquish for my taste.

Really? I truly think if you take the time to get involved you'll think otherwise. Yes there's a group that is super involved, but they have o my ever been generous and kind.

One of us is quite involved. But our child is still routinely not invited to birthday parties, etc. And I can't count the number of times when the topic of conversation among involved moms is plastic surgery or something equally vapid. It doesn't make me want to put lots of effort in making conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is at Langley and has fabulous teachers this year, involved and caring. That said, I am not a big fan of the social scene - a bit too cliquish for my taste.

Really? I truly think if you take the time to get involved you'll think otherwise. Yes there's a group that is super involved, but they have o my ever been generous and kind.

One of us is quite involved. But our child is still routinely not invited to birthday parties, etc. And I can't count the number of times when the topic of conversation among involved moms is plastic surgery or something equally vapid. It doesn't make me want to put lots of effort in making conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is at Langley and has fabulous teachers this year, involved and caring. That said, I am not a big fan of the social scene - a bit too cliquish for my taste.

Really? I truly think if you take the time to get involved you'll think otherwise. Yes there's a group that is super involved, but they have o my ever been generous and kind.

One of us is quite involved. But our child is still routinely not invited to birthday parties, etc. And I can't count the number of times when the topic of conversation among involved moms is plastic surgery or something equally vapid. It doesn't make me want to put lots of effort in making conversation.

Oh gosh. Ok that's not the crowd I know. My guess is you have a 4th grader.
There are many other people there. You'll find you niche!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is at Langley and has fabulous teachers this year, involved and caring. That said, I am not a big fan of the social scene - a bit too cliquish for my taste.

Really? I truly think if you take the time to get involved you'll think otherwise. Yes there's a group that is super involved, but they have o my ever been generous and kind.

One of us is quite involved. But our child is still routinely not invited to birthday parties, etc. And I can't count the number of times when the topic of conversation among involved moms is plastic surgery or something equally vapid. It doesn't make me want to put lots of effort in making conversation.

You must be hanging with the wrong parents. We have been there 3+ years and I have to say I have never heard a conversation about plastic surgery (outside of it being somebodys occupation). I find the parents pretty 'normal' (we are your average suburban family--can comfortably afford private given two working parents).

I dont doubt your experience--Any private is going to have some superficial parents who talk about superficial things--but Langley has plenty of parents with smarts and substance....I guess its about finding you 'niche' (true at any school)...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is at Langley and has fabulous teachers this year, involved and caring. That said, I am not a big fan of the social scene - a bit too cliquish for my taste.

Really? I truly think if you take the time to get involved you'll think otherwise. Yes there's a group that is super involved, but they have o my ever been generous and kind.

One of us is quite involved. But our child is still routinely not invited to birthday parties, etc. And I can't count the number of times when the topic of conversation among involved moms is plastic surgery or something equally vapid. It doesn't make me want to put lots of effort in making conversation.

Whaaaaat? Never heard this. Find a new crowd. While I'm all about Botox, I'm an Ivy leaguer and it's never been the "topic" of conversation. If you are as smart and interesting as you seem to want to come across, you will find the same. Dummies are attracted to dummies.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice to find a new crowd. Frankly, I have enough interesting friends and colleagues outside of Langley, so I don't feel the need to make an extra effort. The only thing that bugs me is that my (well-behaved and sweet) kid is occasionally excluded from parties. But I guess I should use that as a teaching moment.