Anonymous
Post 04/23/2012 08:37     Subject: If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups?
Landon is a great sports school--not so much on academics.
The Bethesda magazine feature illustrates several HS seniors and is a nice piece, but Landon just doesn't have the academics.
Anonymous
Post 04/23/2012 05:21     Subject: If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups?
Anonymous wrote:Former Landon parent here--agree with Landon comment. Simply not a robust academic experience. Much to commend there, but intellectual prowess not on the list. My DS moved on for high school.


HS is a much different experience. The Junior year humanities course is comparable to a college level course. As many AP or Honors courses available for any wanting to be challenged. Look at Bethesda Teen's latest issue to see what a current Landon Senior has done with his academic experience.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 22:01     Subject: Re:If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups
Anonymous wrote:It doesn't have the same level of academic challenge, I think, but for my bright, athletic social child who likes a slightly more formal learning environment, I thought Bullis might be a fit.


Bullis is taking a sharp turn away from academics with its new Head of School -- he has said he wants Bullis to compete with the likes of Good Counsel in football (which would mean USA Today Top 25, that sort of thing). Your description might have been true 5 years ago but the place is really changing.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 21:42     Subject: If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups?
Former Landon parent here--agree with Landon comment. Simply not a robust academic experience. Much to commend there, but intellectual prowess not on the list. My DS moved on for high school.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 21:41     Subject: Re:If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups
It doesn't have the same level of academic challenge, I think, but for my bright, athletic social child who likes a slightly more formal learning environment, I thought Bullis might be a fit.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 20:59     Subject: If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups?
Anonymous wrote:Maybe he isn't as smart as you say. You sound more like a publicist than anything else.


this is an unprovoked attack ; why so nasty? OP, I think the most demanding academic schools are STA and Sidwell. You might also like Potomac or BCC.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 18:59     Subject: If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups?
Anonymous wrote:Maybe he isn't as smart as you say. You sound more like a publicist than anything else.


Geez, OP's question Was reasonable and politely phrased. Sorry that someone always has to be gratuitously nasty.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 18:53     Subject: If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups?
Maybe he isn't as smart as you say. You sound more like a publicist than anything else.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 17:50     Subject: If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups?
Anonymous wrote:DS is sharp, athletic, social, and rises to meet high expectations. St. Albans feels like a great fit all the way around. But, of course, he might not get in. The other schools we looked at this year -- Sidwell, GDS & Maret -- don't feel as right (to him or to us). We're trying to figure out which schools we should be sure to see in the fall as we work through where else he should apply. Many thanks in advance for any thoughts from those who have been here before.

OP, you may want to look at St. Anselm's Abbey as well.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 17:10     Subject: If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups?
Landon is not a substitute for STA at all. Two completely different schools. The only things the two school have in common are single-sex education and a jacket-and-tie dress code. Very different ethos.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 16:06     Subject: Re:If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups
Anonymous wrote:Did he look at Landon?


Agree with this. Also, did he look at GT Prep? It seems like those two schools would have much more in common with STA than GDS, Sidwell or Maret. And I mean in a conservative outlook sort of way, not in the fact they are all boys schools.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 16:03     Subject: Re:If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups
Did he look at Landon?
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 11:15     Subject: Re:If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups
Public school (MCPS). DS did not like any of the other private schools enough to make it worth $35k. Was W/L at St. Albans for 9th. If you are Catholic Georgetown Prep is good alternative, my DS liked it (although did not apply).
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 11:11     Subject: If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups?
Where is he now? It might help us to know...
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2012 11:03     Subject: If you thought St. Albans was the perfect fit for your rising 9th grader, what were your back-ups?
DS is sharp, athletic, social, and rises to meet high expectations. St. Albans feels like a great fit all the way around. But, of course, he might not get in. The other schools we looked at this year -- Sidwell, GDS & Maret -- don't feel as right (to him or to us). We're trying to figure out which schools we should be sure to see in the fall as we work through where else he should apply. Many thanks in advance for any thoughts from those who have been here before.