Landon School

this is the worst school ever terrible people academics and just plain down old terrible i hate landon

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 Ask to see the sad science labs and old outdated programs.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

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

I am a recent alumni of Landon and I cannot begin to explain how much the school means to me. The camaraderie fostered throughout the schoolday was one of the hallmarks of the experience. I am still very close friends with my buddies from Landon, and I considered them much closer friends than any of my friends in college. Academics were superb- I am now at a highly-regarded college where my core classes were quite easy thanks to the preparation I got at Landon. Athletic program was a point of pride. Before sending your son here, make sure he will be able to handle it. It is NOT a touchy-feely school, and boys who do not live up to expectations will not be coddled by their peers. Ability to succeed either in the classroom, on the field, or socially- or all 3- is crucial. Confidence, sense of humor, and assertiveness are important.
—Submitted by a student

We are parents of a 4th year student. Landon's all boy programs are some of the best in the U.S. The school's cornerstone built on its civility code and honor code is unique among secondary schools. The foundation the faculty works from has already proved to be highly successful in developing well rounded, smart, motivated young men. Landon counts 100% of its recent graduates as new college freshman at some of the finest colleges in the country. Early admission to the top schools including the Military Academy at West Point and Ivy League is common.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is top rate. The Arts and music programs at the school are exceptional. The academics are rigorous, and the boys enjoy a wide variety of sports opportunities. Above all there is a wonderful cameraderie among the boys. And perhaps most importantly, I observe that the boys seem very happy and comfortable with themselves. The school aims to produce well rounded gentlemen, and it does a good job.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended landon for 10 years (a lifer) and graduated in 2004. I loved every minute of it. I was molded into a great person. I am friends with all my other alumni both in my class as well as many other classes. Alumni play a big role in landon and are always coming back to be a part of what is going on. Landon kids are accomplished and become valuable parts of the society. The learning and teaching is incredible. You go to college very well prepared. I hold their history and writing teaching to be the best. There's a reason why landon consistently ranks among the best in the country. This isn't a place that you send your kid to just go somewhere for 8hours a day. He'll come out with relationships, a strong sense of community, and many experiences that drive him to return to campus every day.

I am a student at Landon and have been attending it for 3 years and my experience there has been extremely unique in my opinion. I have read in some of these reviews that Landon does not allow you to express yourselves yet we have several different art programs in the high school. It is true that athletics take a large part in the student body and yet it is only because of the prinipals that these athletics teach, such as teamwork, work ethic, and brotherhood. after going through a sport at landon it is not possible not to know what it is to work. However the accedemics are also extremely important which shows. Disipline is much more instituted then in my old school. here at landon they will not allow you to slack or you simply will not be able to come back, for going to landon is a privlege.
—Submitted by a student

I have two sons who have attended Landon. One is a graduate and the other is currently enrolled in the Upper School. It is a wonderful school with high academic standards. The boys have to work hard, but it teaches them good work ethics. When they go away to college, you will not have to worry if they can handle the college schedule and workload, they are well prepared. What no one else has mentioned in their comments that I think is wonderful, is that Landon boys are friends for life, not just during their days of attendance. It is a most amazing bond, that I wish I had. I have never seen this or heard of it at any other school. A truly great place!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been going there since 3rd grade, and loves it. He is in 10th grade now, and they have really shaped him into a man. The rigorous academics, some of the finest in the metro area, combined with their athletic program. Every boy must participate in a sport, and the lessons he learns on the field will stick with him for the rest of his life.
—Submitted by a parent

Very elistist school, more worried about its own rankings and marketing than providing the kids with a passion and joy for learning.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been in the Upper School at Landon for the last two years and I can't say enough about it! The teachers are very caring and nurturing. They do have high expectations for the boys but the boys seem to rise to exceed them. It has been an amazing experience for our whole family. The leadership of the headmasters is one of pure passion and devotion. Great Role Models!
—Submitted by a parent

My son just finished his first year in Landon's Lower School. He, and our family, had a fantastic year. The teachers are caring yet have high expectations for the boys, and the boys strive to meet those standards. The faculty and administration show great respect for the boys and they in turn show respect their teachers and pride in their school. The boys also learn to respect their peers and their different talents, whether it is in academics, orchestra, sports, or art. Landon provides a unique education for its students because, as we see it, the school seeks to develop the whole boy and help them become responsible and productive men.
—Submitted by a parent