Landon School

As a parent, I have direct knowledge. This is school for one type of boy, one of very average intellect, that follows direction with no question, and limited creativity. There is THE Landon way for your boy else your boy will require "improvement". The teaching staff is very inconsistent. A few teachers are outstanding, most are not, do not work very hard, and have been there way too long. You will spend way too much time doing Landon's job. Count how many teachers are in the classroom (not the weight room) after 2 PM. If your son is an athlete or the family contributes there is special treatment. There are dramatic changes still required even after recent wholesale changes in leadership at all of the schools. I moved my son out and would absolutely not recommend the school. Many parents there are not in touch with reality. Landon does not know most boys and has shown to be locked in the 1950s. Arts and sciences are pathetic. Ask to see the sad science labs and old outdated programs. Landon has no vision and is lost. Most placements show the limited success. Too many good school choices, do not be fooled into supporting the few "stars" with your son. Tradition is no excuse.
--Submitted by a parent

If your son is motivated by challenge, this is an absolutely top notch school. I have 2 sons here, one who is wonderfully compassionate, bright and a natural leader, and the other is a highly gifted learner and incredibly athletic yet reserved and quiet. Both boys are thriving in their academics. One has become an amazing artist and the other a wonderful musician. Both made seamless transitions due to a very committed and caring faculty. The teachers are very committed and involved in the lives of the students and reach out to parents with thoughts and suggestions for success! There is something very unique and special about this place, and you can feel it when you are part of the community!
--Submitted by a parent

I decided not to register my son at Landon after many visits to all schools in the area and the reason is this: the campus is fantastic, the curriculum is ok and so are the teachers. What I dislike are HOW things are taught. The hyper competitive "edge" and the absolute knowledge that one is the best in all things for having attended Landon is over the top. The fact that kids makes friends should be a natural part of life and who they are, not of their "to do" lists... their v alues are dangerously skewed IMHO and I would shy away from such hyper elective crowds (espcially if your child has any kind of special need, this is definately NOT the place for them!) that disregard values such as compassion (which becomes pity) and openess in favor of getting on the "who's who" agenda.
--Submitted by a parent

Undoubtedly a top tier school school. Landon is not for everyone. It is academically rigorous, and a competitive environment. But its also very supportive and inclusive, especially if your child is motivated. It creates strong bonds and loyalties among students and faculty. For those who can cope with the high expectations of the program, it will bring out a better academic and artistic performance and, what is more, it will help your boy develop into a well rounded gentleman.
--Submitted by a parent

Landon is a very special place that combines phenomenal athletics with rigorous academics. We have a very quiet, mild-mannered humble son who is an amazing artist and a gifted learner. He was new to the high school and had a seamless transition. The school is very proactive and responsive to any problems. It is an amazing place! Despite the publicity last year, the received 120 applicants and only had 18 spots!
--Submitted by a parent

I have had 15 yrs of involvement with Landon having two sons attend there. I am a tough critic and can say without reservation that this is an excellent school inside and outside of the classroom. My sons have made friendships that will last a lifetime, both with their peers and their teachers. Landon has been a partner in my parenting efforts to teach my sons right from wrong, to be respectful of others and to always give their best effort in any endeavor. It is disturbing to hear the media and other individuals try to undermine an 80-yr old institution where so many students have thrived and so many adults have given their life's work to effectively teach and mentor. Stereotyping the Landon commununity as spoiled, wealthy, and morally lax is also incorrect and myopic.
--Submitted by a parent

I have seen Landon kids and graduates in recent years. I have also seen the school's tradition and culture and I can tell you that it is something special. The media and publicity which Landon is receiving recently has been out of control. Do you actually believe that all the boys at Landon are actually that careless? At every school, you will find a batch of boys/girls who choose to conduct in a immature or unacceptable manner, thus we come to certain boys who came up in the news recently. Therefore, these little news columns are blowing up these stories to damage a school's high reputation. Think for a second. It's the families' responsibilities sometimes to nurture their children not always the school. These recent stories do not reflect on Landon's quality of students. Opinion wise, Landon still ranks near the best with Georgetown Prep and Sidwell Friends.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the review posted May 3, 2010. I am a parent of a former Landon School boy who attended the school for 4 years. Although my son never complained at the time, he also encountered an atmosphere of mean-spirited kids who had very little supervision outside of the immediate classroom. The school had a philosophy of letting boys be boys. On the surface that would seem to be ideal. However, the school turns a blind eye towards constant bullying and unacceptable behavior. Many of the kids who attend Landon are the type of kids you might encounter outside the school as being unruly, disrespectful and could care less about how their actions affect others. In the Bethesda area, the Landon kids have developed a bad reputation as the kids you don't want around. Sorry my boy attended the school.
--Submitted by a parent

Landon is a school that produces boys who learn more about unhealthy competition and unsupervised harshness between its students. Our son attended Landon for 6 years and had I known how unruly and mean spirited the students really are, I would have taken my son out long ago. My son is a fairly smart, tough kid who played a number of sports, yet he found himself involved in, or witnessed seemingly endless entanglements and infighting amongst the students. Landon advertises its focus on ethics and honesty, and yet there have been stories of Landon graduates finding themselves in serious legal trouble each and every year, including the most recent news out of Charlottesville, VA. Do your sons a favor and avoid a school like Landon. The school is filled with mean-spirited, spoiled kids and a leadership philosophy that caters to the wealthier, abrasive parents. So many other better choices.
--Submitted by a parent

Outstanding School, with great leadership form all ends. Academics are amazing along with top notch athletic teams. This is the place to send your child, I have been so pleased with Landon and all they have done with my family!
--Submitted by a parent