Bullis vs. Landon

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts on these two schools? We are a VA family so, while we have researched the academic and athletic offerings of both schools, we would value any candid feedback parents may have.

[Anonymous]

Landon superior academically. Bullis co-ed. Both have strong athletics and arts.

[Anonymous]

What grade are you looking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Landon superior academically. Bullis co-ed. Both have strong athletics and arts.

Nonsense, Landon booster.

[Anonymous]

There's a ton of Bullis hate on this board, so bad place to ask. When we were considering Bullis for our kids (and after we accepted) I made the mistak of looking here and almost had a heart attack. This was after loads of schools, research, talking to friends/parents.

Three years later, my kids love it and we are very happy with the quality of the academics and also with the community. All of the stuff you generally read here simply isn't true. Coincidentally my neighbor's sons all go to Landon--we lose a lot of Bullis car magnets mysteriously.

Do you have any specific questions I can try to answer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a ton of Bullis hate on this board, so bad place to ask. When we were considering Bullis for our kids (and after we accepted) I made the mistak of looking here and almost had a heart attack. This was after loads of schools, research, talking to friends/parents.

Three years later, my kids love it and we are very happy with the quality of the academics and also with the community. All of the stuff you generally read here simply isn't true. Coincidentally my neighbor's sons all go to Landon--we lose a lot of Bullis car magnets mysteriously.

Do you have any specific questions I can try to answer?

Forgot to mention we are also in VA. Drive isn't bad at all if you want to do that, and the bus service is pretty handy too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a ton of Bullis hate on this board, so bad place to ask. When we were considering Bullis for our kids (and after we accepted) I made the mistak of looking here and almost had a heart attack. This was after loads of schools, research, talking to friends/parents.

Three years later, my kids love it and we are very happy with the quality of the academics and also with the community. All of the stuff you generally read here simply isn't true. Coincidentally my neighbor's sons all go to Landon--we lose a lot of Bullis car magnets mysteriously.

Do you have any specific questions I can try to answer?

What grades are your kids in?
Have they taken advantage of the new STEM opportunities etc.
My son is very passionate about computers etc and i think Bullis would be great for him for several reasons. However he is not a great athlete- that's my only concern about Bullis. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on these two schools? We are a VA family so, while we have researched the academic and athletic offerings of both schools, we would value any candid feedback parents may have.

What grade? that makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on these two schools? We are a VA family so, while we have researched the academic and athletic offerings of both schools, we would value any candid feedback parents may have.

What grade? that makes a difference.

NP. Same decision. Would be for 9th. Can we get feedback without bashing either school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on these two schools? We are a VA family so, while we have researched the academic and athletic offerings of both schools, we would value any candid feedback parents may have.

What grade? that makes a difference.

NP. Same decision. Would be for 9th. Can we get feedback without bashing either school?

Yes, it is a reasonable question...

1. I wouldn't be so quick to enroll in the middle school. There is a "behavior dean" who seems to enjoy his discretion in making particular boys' lives difficult. I'm starting to think that this may be getting attention by the administration... but the verdict is still out. This would not be a deterrent for the poster asking about 9th. (and I say this as a parent of a boy who does not get in trouble)

2. The academics can be very strong. Some amazing teacher. I think that the new head has made some wonderful hires. There are a few teachers who probably need to move along... but you'd get this at any school.

3. If I were a minority, I'd ask questions about why so many URM boys in middle and upper school left recently. They hired a new directory of diversity. That hire would seem more genuine if they hired someone who has been a successful Director of Diversity at another private. That was not his previous job (according the the Landon Magazine sent to the community).... sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on these two schools? We are a VA family so, while we have researched the academic and athletic offerings of both schools, we would value any candid feedback parents may have.

What grade? that makes a difference.

NP. Same decision. Would be for 9th. Can we get feedback without bashing either school?

Yes, it is a reasonable question...

1. I wouldn't be so quick to enroll in the middle school. There is a "behavior dean" who seems to enjoy his discretion in making particular boys' lives difficult. I'm starting to think that this may be getting attention by the administration... but the verdict is still out. This would not be a deterrent for the poster asking about 9th. (and I say this as a parent of a boy who does not get in trouble)

2. The academics can be very strong. Some amazing teacher. I think that the new head has made some wonderful hires. There are a few teachers who probably need to move along... but you'd get this at any school.

3. If I were a minority, I'd ask questions about why so many URM boys in middle and upper school left recently. They hired a new directory of diversity. That hire would seem more genuine if they hired someone who has been a successful Director of Diversity at another private. That was not his previous job (according the the Landon Magazine sent to the community).... sigh.

Which school are you talking about? I assume Landon, because my DS is AA (attending Bullis) in the Middle School, and I don't know what you mean by "behaviour dean", nor am I familiar with anyone making anyones lives difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a ton of Bullis hate on this board, so bad place to ask. When we were considering Bullis for our kids (and after we accepted) I made the mistak of looking here and almost had a heart attack. This was after loads of schools, research, talking to friends/parents.

Three years later, my kids love it and we are very happy with the quality of the academics and also with the community. All of the stuff you generally read here simply isn't true. Coincidentally my neighbor's sons all go to Landon--we lose a lot of Bullis car magnets mysteriously.

Do you have any specific questions I can try to answer?

What grades are your kids in?
Have they taken advantage of the new STEM opportunities etc.
My son is very passionate about computers etc and i think Bullis would be great for him for several reasons. However he is not a great athlete- that's my only concern about Bullis. Thoughts?

MS, so I can only give you feedback on the US based on close friends' comments via the kids that are currently in upper school. Sorry. That said, there are tons of kids at Bullis who are not athletic AT ALL, including the aforementioned close friend. While they do have to play a sport in US (I think it's for 2 of 3 terms as a freshman) there are options that are not competitive. But by the same token, you also have to do an Art, be it performance, visual, etc. I think that makes for a very well rounded student, and I really like that. So you can be the hotshot soccer player while also being the lead in the spring musical.

The STEM opportunites are great, as is the Capstone program, discovery week in Middle school, etc. While I don't think the day-to-day teaching is overly innovative (but maybe I'm jaded?), I do think they cater to different learning styles, focus on the whole student, and do a good job of teaching the kids to THINK (pet peeve) while providing sound fundamentals.

Is Bullis perfect? No. Is any school?

[Anonymous]

Bullis is more Like Potomac than Landon. Landon, Prep, Holton , Gonzaga, HCA, HC, Prep, NCA, Visi, St Albans, Heights, Dematha are single sex and different than Bullis, Potomac, Good Counsel, St John's, Sidwell, GDS, SSSA, BI, Oconnell, Paul IV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a ton of Bullis hate on this board, so bad place to ask. When we were considering Bullis for our kids (and after we accepted) I made the mistak of looking here and almost had a heart attack. This was after loads of schools, research, talking to friends/parents.

Three years later, my kids love it and we are very happy with the quality of the academics and also with the community. All of the stuff you generally read here simply isn't true. Coincidentally my neighbor's sons all go to Landon--we lose a lot of Bullis car magnets mysteriously.

Do you have any specific questions I can try to answer?

What grades are your kids in?
Have they taken advantage of the new STEM opportunities etc.
My son is very passionate about computers etc and i think Bullis would be great for him for several reasons. However he is not a great athlete- that's my only concern about Bullis. Thoughts?

MS, so I can only give you feedback on the US based on close friends' comments via the kids that are currently in upper school. Sorry. That said, there are tons of kids at Bullis who are not athletic AT ALL, including the aforementioned close friend. While they do have to play a sport in US (I think it's for 2 of 3 terms as a freshman) there are options that are not competitive. But by the same token, you also have to do an Art, be it performance, visual, etc. I think that makes for a very well rounded student, and I really like that. So you can be the hotshot soccer player while also being the lead in the spring musical.

The STEM opportunites are great, as is the Capstone program, discovery week in Middle school, etc. While I don't think the day-to-day teaching is overly innovative (but maybe I'm jaded?), I do think they cater to different learning styles, focus on the whole student, and do a good job of teaching the kids to THINK (pet peeve) while providing sound fundamentals.

Is Bullis perfect? No. Is any school?

Thank you! This is helpful.
I like well - rounded approach.

[Anonymous]

OP - 9th grader. Very strong in math and science. Okay athlete - not college sports material but able to play on a JV HS sports team - maybe make varsity by Junior year.

Thanks for all the posts - all very helpful.

Question about Bullis - heard through the grapevine some teachers leaving / maybe faculty cutbacks due to financial constraints. Any truth to that?

Also, any thoughts on college counseling and admissions - Landon vs. Bullis?