New Leadership at Landon School

[Anonymous]

Good choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know Landon tends to take a lot of HEAT on this website, I'm actually impressed with the schools facebook page and stories about old and young alums.

And YES we are considering the school for our SON this admissions season.

If you are depending on a school’s website or a Facebook page as important sources of information about a school than good luck. You are going to need it.

If I were you, I’d consider you talk to some real people about the school. Of course, you should talk to the Landon boosters. But you might want to talk to others like parents of current and graduates of the schools that Landon competes with.

Why do you suppose there is so much “HEAT”? Is this based on jealousy? Old grudges? Misperception?

And there is a lot of HEAT locally.

I’m not aware of any school locally that has so many people who harbor negative feelings about it.

The interaction between schools comes primarily in athletics. To me, Landon is Sparta. A place where competing and winning are extraordinarily important. Where the athletes are the warriors and where everyone else is just a voice in the stands. I have always believed the teacher – coach model creates this situation.
I’d shop wisely if I were you. All that smoke suggests at least some fire.

And there's a sense that the school is not as politically correct as some might like it. But, much of that seems to be pouncing on a school that you don't like with any allegation that pops up. The same behavior at other places would be ignored.



+100000. Positioning a school on Facebook and on a website to create a certain image isn't the result of leadership, it's the result of an ad agency.

[Anonymous]

+100000. Positioning a school on Facebook and on a website to create a certain image isn't the result of leadership, it's the result of an ad agency.

[Anonymous]

To the PP who said that Landon represents what life will be like after college: are you kidding me? Please do elaborate.

[Anonymous]

I always hear people speak negatively about Landon and I have to wonder whats really going on.

We applied to Landon's MS a few years ago and during the numerous visits and tours (both to the school campus and to homes of then current families), I never saw the type of "frat boy" behavior that is often described here. There were even times when I was seated out of site while waiting for my son and still never witnessed any behavior that was out of the ordinary.

I'm sure Landon has its problems, but all schools do. My son ultimately chose another DC private, but it was a very difficult choice for us to make as we were both very impressed with Landon.

We are very proud to say we are a part of the NPS family. And yes, Jim's departure was a heartbreaking one, but he was such a cool guy that most at NPS couldn't help but be happy for him and the great opportunity he'd been offered. Jim is smart and progressive leader and if anyone can turn the tide at Landon.....its him.

[Anonymous]

7 years went by, we are wondering how Landon School has been changed? We are interested in applying the middle school next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:7 years went by, we are wondering how Landon School has been changed? We are interested in applying the middle school next year.

Bump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:7 years went by, we are wondering how Landon School has been changed? We are interested in applying the middle school next year.

Bump

?? We are interested in Landon for our kid next year, just not sure if Landon is a good option.

[Anonymous]

We are choosing between Landon, Bullis, and SAES for our DS. After reading this thread, I would
love to hear how the school has changed under Jim Neil’s leadership. Many of these older posts don’t reflect what we’ve seen and heard about Landon through the admissions process, but I’d love to hear from people who have experience with the school.

[Anonymous]

My DS is also trying to decide amongst Bullis, SAES and Landon. I would also like to hear how the school has changed with the new head of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is also trying to decide amongst Bullis, SAES and Landon. I would also like to hear how the school has changed with the new head of school.

What grade? Maybe you two should start a new thread asking for comparisons between Bullis/SAES/ Landon.

[Anonymous]

I am and old Landon grad whose son also graduated in early 2000s. We both loved and love Landon. A good bit of ire against Landon is the result of now distant past misbehavior by a very few Landon students. It may also flow from the fact that Landon’s student body has almost always been composed of active, outgoing, sports minded boys whose energy can sometimes lead them astray. It’s a learning process that most boys go through, and I can’t think of a better place to lead them in the right direction.
Landon’s headmaster, Jim Neal, who arrived less than 10 years ago, has proved just wonderful in turning the school in a better direction in virtually every respect. He’s a Gonzaga grad who went to Harvard, has taught at Visitation and St. Albans, and then led at National Presbyterian before coming to Landon. He currently is in the final stages of a $50 million capital campaign that will greatly improve the school’s already wonderful campus and and improve other aspects of the school. Landon is in a good place now and is headed back to the days when it was widely considered in the same league as St. Albans and Sidwell, albeit with it’s own energetic all boy orientation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am and old Landon grad whose son also graduated in early 2000s. We both loved and love Landon. A good bit of ire against Landon is the result of now distant past misbehavior by a very few Landon students. It may also flow from the fact that Landon’s student body has almost always been composed of active, outgoing, sports minded boys whose energy can sometimes lead them astray. It’s a learning process that most boys go through, and I can’t think of a better place to lead them in the right direction.
Landon’s headmaster, Jim Neal, who arrived less than 10 years ago, has proved just wonderful in turning the school in a better direction in virtually every respect. He’s a Gonzaga grad who went to Harvard, has taught at Visitation and St. Albans, and then led at National Presbyterian before coming to Landon. He currently is in the final stages of a $50 million capital campaign that will greatly improve the school’s already wonderful campus and and improve other aspects of the school. Landon is in a good place now and is headed back to the days when it was widely considered in the same league as St. Albans and Sidwell, albeit with it’s own energetic all boy orientation.

Thanks PP. It is great news! I can see that Landon has been improving, just wonder where it is currently? how competitive it is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am and old Landon grad whose son also graduated in early 2000s. We both loved and love Landon. A good bit of ire against Landon is the result of now distant past misbehavior by a very few Landon students. It may also flow from the fact that Landon’s student body has almost always been composed of active, outgoing, sports minded boys whose energy can sometimes lead them astray. It’s a learning process that most boys go through, and I can’t think of a better place to lead them in the right direction.
Landon’s headmaster, Jim Neal, who arrived less than 10 years ago, has proved just wonderful in turning the school in a better direction in virtually every respect. He’s a Gonzaga grad who went to Harvard, has taught at Visitation and St. Albans, and then led at National Presbyterian before coming to Landon. He currently is in the final stages of a $50 million capital campaign that will greatly improve the school’s already wonderful campus and and improve other aspects of the school. Landon is in a good place now and is headed back to the days when it was widely considered in the same league as St. Albans and Sidwell, albeit with it’s own energetic all boy orientation.

What a shameful laundering attempt. Does that describe organized group efforts to cheat on the SAT? Certainly it doesn’t describe murdering one’s ex-girlfriend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am and old Landon grad whose son also graduated in early 2000s. We both loved and love Landon. A good bit of ire against Landon is the result of now distant past misbehavior by a very few Landon students. It may also flow from the fact that Landon’s student body has almost always been composed of active, outgoing, sports minded boys whose energy can sometimes lead them astray. It’s a learning process that most boys go through, and I can’t think of a better place to lead them in the right direction.
Landon’s headmaster, Jim Neal, who arrived less than 10 years ago, has proved just wonderful in turning the school in a better direction in virtually every respect. He’s a Gonzaga grad who went to Harvard, has taught at Visitation and St. Albans, and then led at National Presbyterian before coming to Landon. He currently is in the final stages of a $50 million capital campaign that will greatly improve the school’s already wonderful campus and and improve other aspects of the school. Landon is in a good place now and is headed back to the days when it was widely considered in the same league as St. Albans and Sidwell, albeit with it’s own energetic all boy orientation.

What a shameful laundering attempt. Does that describe organized group efforts to cheat on the SAT? Certainly it doesn’t describe murdering one’s ex-girlfriend.

Yes, well Old Landon Grads will do what Old Landon Grads have always done, cover each others asses. There was and remains NO excuse for the bullying and "antics" that my two sons witnessed and experienced during their years there, none. It wasn't a growing a phase, it was entitled little monsters whose parents and teachers turned a blind eye even when it was staring them in their face. Landon can never change given its' LEGACY problems. Generational "assholes".