Not OP but will any current families give their opinion on academics. Is it challenging??

I will be totally honest here. I am a Landon parent. I knew boys from Landon, lacrosse players at my college and was not impressed. I am not from the area. My son wanted to go there, and we agreed to try it out. For many reasons, too numerous to go into. I can only tell you that we are having a great experience. I worried about the "frat boy" reputation but I am so thrilled with the friends my son has made, the teaching he is receiving, the interest his advisor and others show in his life, the thought provoking emphasis on ethics, I am very pleased. Is it perfect? Of course not, and I have children at other private schools and so I can tell you no school is perfect. But I am moved from a critic to a convert and I am not easily swayed. It's a great place, that you should check out on your own. I continue to be very impressed by the vast majority of boys and families I meet and that doesn't mean there aren't a few yahoos here or there, as there are at most DC area private schools.

OP - you say you are not from the area. If so, then you do need to know about the history of scandals at the school. Google Landon School scandals and you will see the cheating and sex party problems. I think that is why since 2008 Ethics has become a core requirments Some of the allegations are unfair - like former Landon students who were caught up in the Duke Lacrosse case, but the students have had more character issues than usual in the area and you should know about it. Beyond that, go ahead and enjoy, it's a fine school. Those that criticize it say it's because there is no religious core to the school, but that's true at many other fine institutions. Here are some of the scandals. https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=landon+scandal

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love that Landon students take an Ethics course, and that the honor code is taken so seriously there. The lockers have no locks on them, and I have not heard of a single theft. As a small example of how ethics is woven into the Landon experience, the Headmaster sent out an email during snowzilla, asking every Landon boy to identify an elderly person in their neighborhood, and shovel out their walk "because it is the right think to do."

That sounds like something Jim Neill would say!

I loved that message from he Headmaster, Jim Neill during the snowstorm. Better yet, I loved that when my son read it, without any additional prompting of any kind, he got dressed, got the shovel and asked if we could go out and do something good for someone.

To the other PP who did not get a good message from the admissions process. All I can say is that I am genuinely sorry to hear that. Really. That is not a message that I would have been receptive to either(!). I can say that the message you describe is definitely not something that I have experienced as a new family/new 6th grade student this year. The closest I have heard is that there are no "cliques" like at his old school "because everyone looks out for each other." When I asked my son what it meant to "look out for each other" he told me it meant "you know, mom, if a guy doesn't have anyone to sit with at lunch, you and a friend go over and talk to him." Yeah, I loved that. If that's looking out, I'll take it any day!

The reality is that the school still has a mixed reputation (unless you go there, and then you love it.) you have to get used to the fact that people immediately assume things about your son when they hear he goes there. Sorry, but very true.

In reality, scandals like these happen at many local private and public schools. I don't think that the boys at Landon are worse than anywhere else.

The above is true (edited "much" out).

Most of the haters of Landon (I am sometimes one, too) are responding to a series of unfortunate events that have happened as a result of poor choices by individuals and groups of students. There is a feeling that Landon boys feel entitled and do not abide by a traditional sense of values. There have been scandals involving cheating and or some unfortunate treatment of women via contests regarding sexual conquests.

In reality, scandals like these happen at many local private and public schools. I don't think that the boys at Landon are much worse than anywhere else. People in this area do love to single Landon out and attack the school's values, etc.

I have met several graduates of Landon who live in my neighborhood and seem like really great fathers and husbands. I've met a few others who are complete douchebags (a word often used to describe Landon parents at sporting events). I would suggest that you get your information from current parents. The school seems to be moving further away from it's former emphasis on sports. They are trying to attract and appeal to a broader type of student.

Most of the Landon haters are not affiliated with the school and are responding to a lot of local gossip (like I said, I have been known to do that myself). It seems like any bad eggs from the Landon crowd attract more attention than those from other schools.

If you liked it, send your kid there without any worry. It's all a bit of an overblown/old rumor mill.

After snowzilla, Jim Neill visited my son's lower school class room and asked for a show of hands how many boys sholved snow and followed up with how many did it for no pay. I thought this was a great way to follow-up on his email message. Jim Neill is a wonderful Headmaster and we are lucky to have him.

I can't speak about MS or US (though I have only heard good things so far) but the LS head has also been great about focusing on helping the boys understand the importance of doing the right thing, even if the right thing is hard or not popular.

Our son is extremely happy at Landon and we have been impressed by the academics as well as the focus on strong character building. Good luck on your decision.

Anonymous wrote:I love that Landon students take an Ethics course, and that the honor code is taken so seriously there. The lockers have no locks on them, and I have not heard of a single theft. As a small example of how ethics is woven into the Landon experience, the Headmaster sent out an email during snowzilla, asking every Landon boy to identify an elderly person in their neighborhood, and shovel out their walk "because it is the right think to do."

That sounds like something Jim Neill would say!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:9:29.... You sound angry. Brotherhood=Family. Would you be ok with the girls at say ,NCS calling themselves a sisterhood?
It means you have your brothers back ,while at Landon and AFTER Landon. Family. Look out for your brother...on and off the field, out in the world...if a Landon grad looking for work help him out. This happens a lot.
In terms of the Honor Code the boys absolutely know what it means and what they sign...and what the ramifications are for violating it. On this anonymous board I would say if my son saw a violation...his first line should be to the boy who violated it and ask him to turn himself in. So that his brother does not have to be the one to do it. The boys know what it means and you clearly did not speak to my boy who frequently hosts shadow days.... Landon is a wonderful school and the school encourages the boys to do their best and do the right thing....and to "look out for the other fellow" also, a direct quote.

I'm definitely not angry. If anything, especially for the sake of the new head who is a great person, I hope the reputation of Landon continues to improve. However, the message we received from the admissions process was not similar to what you are describing. So I'm simply highlighting the disconnect we experienced.

Look out for your brother should be code for fellow human fwiw

Anonymous wrote:9:29.... You sound angry. Brotherhood=Family. Would you be ok with the girls at say ,NCS calling themselves a sisterhood?
It means you have your brothers back ,while at Landon and AFTER Landon. Family. Look out for your brother...on and off the field, out in the world...if a Landon grad looking for work help him out. This happens a lot.
In terms of the Honor Code the boys absolutely know what it means and what they sign...and what the ramifications are for violating it. On this anonymous board I would say if my son saw a violation...his first line should be to the boy who violated it and ask him to turn himself in. So that his brother does not have to be the one to do it. The boys know what it means and you clearly did not speak to my boy who frequently hosts shadow days.... Landon is a wonderful school and the school encourages the boys to do their best and do the right thing....and to "look out for the other fellow" also, a direct quote.

I'm definitely not angry. If anything, especially for the sake of the new head who is a great person, I hope the reputation of Landon continues to improve. However, the message we received from the admissions process was not similar to what you are describing. So I'm simply highlighting the disconnect we experienced.

Anonymous wrote:I love that Landon students take an Ethics course, and that the honor code is taken so seriously there. The lockers have no locks on them, and I have not heard of a single theft. As a small example of how ethics is woven into the Landon experience, the Headmaster sent out an email during snowzilla, asking every Landon boy to identify an elderly person in their neighborhood, and shovel out their walk "because it is the right think to do."

Agree!

I'm not a Landon booster or friend, but am heartened and moved that the new Headmaster wrote that. Landon to me was a pillar of hypocrisy under Armstrong. Cheating meant one consequence for one boy but a lesser or no consequence of another boy based on legacy or sports silly exceptions. It starts at the top and it sure sounds like Landon's new leader isn't the old boy Armstrong type. Any school needs a culture that adds for all and it sounds like Landon is getting on that bus.

I love that Landon students take an Ethics course, and that the honor code is taken so seriously there. The lockers have no locks on them, and I have not heard of a single theft. As a small example of how ethics is woven into the Landon experience, the Headmaster sent out an email during snowzilla, asking every Landon boy to identify an elderly person in their neighborhood, and shovel out their walk "because it is the right think to do."

9:29.... You sound angry. Brotherhood=Family. Would you be ok with the girls at say ,NCS calling themselves a sisterhood?
It means you have your brothers back ,while at Landon and AFTER Landon. Family. Look out for your brother...on and off the field, out in the world...if a Landon grad looking for work help him out. This happens a lot.
In terms of the Honor Code the boys absolutely know what it means and what they sign...and what the ramifications are for violating it. On this anonymous board I would say if my son saw a violation...his first line should be to the boy who violated it and ask him to turn himself in. So that his brother does not have to be the one to do it. The boys know what it means and you clearly did not speak to my boy who frequently hosts shadow days.... Landon is a wonderful school and the school encourages the boys to do their best and do the right thing....and to "look out for the other fellow" also, a direct quote.