Wikipedia

Landon School

Landon School is a private, college preparatory school for boys in grades 3–12, with an enrollment of approximately 710 students, in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.[2]

Landon School
Address
Map
6101 Wilson Lane

Bethesda
,
Maryland
20817

United States
Coordinates38°59′26″N 77°07′31″W / 38.9905°N 77.1254°W / 38.9905; -77.1254
Information
TypePrivate, College-prep
MottoVirtute et non vi
(English: "By virtue, not by force.")
Established1929
HeadmasterJim Neill
Teaching staff85.9 (on a FTE basis)
Grades3–12
GenderBoys
Enrollment690 (2022-2023)
Student to teacher ratio6.1
CampusSuburban
Campus size75 acres (30 ha)
Color(s)Brown and white
  
Athletics22 interscholastic sports
Athletics conferenceInterstate Athletic Conference
NicknameBears
Tuition$49,810 Grades 6-12, $45,170 Grades 3-5
Websitelandon.net
[1]

Background

edit

Paul Landon Banfield and his wife, Mary Lee, founded Landon School in 1929. The school's first location was a former residence in the Sheridan-Kalorama neighborhood of Washington, D.C., now home to the Embassy of Estonia. Banfield moved Landon to its present 75-acre (300,000 m2) campus in Bethesda in 1935. The farmhouse, stables, and barn from the previous use of the Bethesda property still stand on the campus and are used today.[3]

In September 2022, as a part of the Landon School's redesign of its campus, the 100-year-old Andrews House was relocated in order to make space for the new Boehly Upper School building. Moving the 9,000-square-foot, 1,100-ton historic building was a delicate operation that required months of planning.[4]

The school has a reputation for cultivating athletes.[2][5]

 
The school's original location in Washington, D.C. is now the Embassy of Estonia.

Demographics

edit

The demographic breakdown of the 690 boys enrolled for the 2022-2023 school year was:[6][7]

41% of the student body identified as non-Hispanic white.

  • Native American/Alaskan – 0%
  • Asian – 7.7%
  • Latino/Hispanic – 5%
  • Middle Eastern American – 1.9%
  • International students – 2.3%
  • Black – 15.2%
  • Multiracial – 6.4%
  • Caucasian – 59%
  • Other - 3%

Academics

edit

Landon School is a college preparatory school for boys in grades 3-12. The school's daily schedule is from 8:00 a.m. – 3:40 p.m., with flexible and extended hours for before/aftercare and athletics. The school states that the schedule for each division is age-appropriately designed to maximize students' most attentive hours.

The Lower School schedule includes periods for each subject, consisting of language arts, science, social studies, math, music, and ethics classes, broken up by movement opportunities, athletics training, and quiet reading time.[8]

Middle School and Upper School utilize rotating block schedules that are similarly designed to maximize students' attention, with breaks for movement and club meetings in between. In 2023, the School plans to move the sixth grade from the Middle School to the Lower School.[9][10][8]

In 2018, Landon announced it would discontinue AP courses to focus on offering its own set of high-level "advanced" courses that better align with their Mission, Philosophy, and Portrait of a Graduate.[11] 84% of the Class of 2022 is attending a college or university where they applied for early decision or early action.[12]

Funded by its namesake Cary M. Maguire '46, the Maguire Ethics Scholarship Program awards a merit-based scholarship of $10,000 to a student entering Upper School who demonstrates the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and character. Scholarships are available to both new applicants and current eighth-grade students.[13]

Extracurriculars

edit

The school offers 22 athletics options, including varsity interscholastic sports such as swimming, soccer, water polo, football, cross country, ice hockey, wrestling, basketball, baseball, track, tennis, golf, rugby and lacrosse.[14] Landon also offers interscholastic club sports such as riflery, sailing, fencing, squash and ultimate Frisbee, as well as intramural sports and strength and conditioning.[15]

In collaboration with Holton-Arms School, Landon School performs three productions per year, a musical and a non musical.[16] In addition to acting, students can learn lighting, sound and set design. The School offers theatrical class, boys Improv Club and Director's Workshop where students can create and direct their own original play.

Additionally, the school teaches arts such as painting, advanced drawing, architecture, ceramics, digital art, sculpture and photojournalism. Students can submit their work to regional and national competitions or to the school's on campus magazine entitled, Prometheus Unbound.[17]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Landon students used their time outside of the classroom to assist those in need. Upper School student TJ Kim started "Operation Supplies Over Skies," allowing him to use his pilot's license to deliver donated medical supplies to remote hospitals in need.[18] Alex Henderson crafted masks for nurses and first responders.[19]

In 2022, the parents of Landon student Charlie Schnell withdrew their son after he was accused of drawing disturbing images of Black people and shared it with a Black classmate. Schnell was bullied over the incident and disturbed by another student's threat of a school shooting.[20] Less than two weeks later, Schnell committed suicide using a Landon banner, and his parents held the school responsible, saying that their biggest mistake was sending their son to Landon. Lawyers for the school sought unsuccessfully to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the student's parents. [21]

Athletics

edit

Landon competes in the Interstate Athletic Conference (IAC) alongside six other all boys' schools in D.C., MD, and VA. The IAC consists of 12 sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and wrestling.[22]

Lacrosse

edit

In 2017, Landon was in the top 2 of USA Today's Super 25 boys lacrosse rankings.[23]

Wrestling

edit

Landon School wrestler Joel Brown was named All-Met Wrestler of the Year by The Washington Post, after a 32-3 season.[24] In 2023, The Landon School's wrestling team won the Interstate Athletic Conference title, its fourth since 2018. 13 of 14 Landon wrestlers reached the finals, eight of whom won their final matches.[25]

Hockey

edit

The Landon School's hockey team won the Interstate Athletic Conference title in February 2023. The team defeated Bullis to claim the win after a tied score forced a shootout.[26] The Hershey Bears hockey team signed Landon School alumnus Sam Anas to play in the 2022-2023 season.[27] In 2011, Anas led the Landon Bears in a 25-0-1 season.

Soccer

edit

In 2022, The Landon School's soccer team beat St. Albans to win the Interstate Athletic Conference championship.[28] Landon School alumnus Kristian Fletcher signed a contract in 2022 to play professional soccer for D.C. United. While playing for Landon School, Fletcher was named the All-Met Player of the Year in boys' soccer by The Washington Post.[29]

Baseball

edit

In 2016, The Landon baseball team won its first Interstate Athletic Conference title since 2011, beating Bullis by a score of 8-4.[30]

Heads of School

edit

Since its founding in 1929, Landon School has had six headmasters.[31]

Paul Landon Banfield (1929-1970)

Hugh C. Riddleberger (1970-1981)

Malcolm Coates (1981-1990)

Damon F. Bradley (1990-2004)

David M. Armstrong (2004-2015)

Jim Neill (2015-)

Controversies

edit

In spring 2010, it was revealed that students allegedly planned a fantasy football-like "draft" in which female students at other local schools were chosen for each "team," and "points" were to be scored on the basis of sexual encounters with those students.[32] The revelations came in the wake of the news about George Huguely V—a former Landon lacrosse player and football quarterback[33]—who was charged in the murder of his girlfriend Yeardley Love.[34]

In September 2022, several Landon School students were seen in a viral video singing a racial slur while riding the Washington Metro. The school issued a statement that it was aware of the incident and "deeply concerned".[35]

In the fall of the 2002-2003 school year, ten Landon students were caught cheating on their SAT exams. Among these students were eight who admitted to the offense one month later after rumors had spread throughout the school.[36] Those eight students were suspended for the remaining month of the fall semester, though they were allowed to take their fall semester exams. Two other students were pressed to withdraw from Landon or face expulsion.[36]

Notable alumni

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Search for Private Schools – School Detail for Landon School". National Center for Education Statistics. United States Department of Education. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Landon School". Niche. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  3. ^ "Paul Banfield, Founder, Head of Landon School". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  4. ^ Morris, Walter (September 3, 2022). "Historic Bethesda School Building Being Moved". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  5. ^ Jaffe, Harry (October 1, 2003). "From the Archives: 'Our Sons Have Something To Say'". Washingtonian. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  6. ^ "Landon at a Glance: FACTS + FIGURES". Landon School.
  7. ^ "Landon School". www.bestplaces.net. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Landon Private Elementary School | Bethesda MD | D.C. Area". www.landon.net. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  9. ^ "Landon Private Boys Middle School | Bethesda, MD | Near D.C." www.landon.net. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  10. ^ "Landon Private High School | Bethesda, MD | D.C. Area". www.landon.net. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  11. ^ Dean, Louise (July 2, 2018). "Courses need development focus". Early Years Educator. 20 (3): 6. doi:10.12968/eyed.2018.20.3.6. ISSN 1465-931X. S2CID 56963331.
  12. ^ "Achievements - Landon 2021". www.landon.net. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  13. ^ "2015 Landon Spring Magazine by Landon School - Issuu". issuu.com. May 13, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  14. ^ "Landon School (Md.) up to No. 2 in Super 25 boys lacrosse rankings". USA Today. April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  15. ^ "Landon School". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  16. ^ "Landon Magazine Summer 2019 by Landon School". Issuu. August 12, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  17. ^ "Prometheus Unbound 2022 by Landon School". Issuu. May 20, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  18. ^ "Meet the 16-year-old pilot flying medical supplies to rural areas". CNN. December 10, 2020.
  19. ^ Uliano, Dick (April 23, 2020). "Md. the sixth grader helps create 1,000 masks for nurses, and first responders". WTOP-FM. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  20. ^ "Wrongful-death suit against prep school over teen's suicide moves forward". The Washington Post. July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  21. ^ "'Landon failed Charlie': Parents sue school after 16-year-old son's death by suicide". News4. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  22. ^ "Interstate Athletic Conference". Interstate Athletic Conference. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  23. ^ "Landon School (Md.) up to No. 2 in Super 25 boys lacrosse rankings". USA TODAY High School Sports. April 6, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  24. ^ "Winter 2022-23 All-Met Players of the Year". Washington Post. March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  25. ^ "Landon wrestling leaves no doubt who rules the IAC". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  26. ^ "Landon rallies to beat Bullis in shootout, claim IAC hockey crown". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  27. ^ Pr, Ahl (August 15, 2022). "Bears sign Anas to deal for 2022-23". theahl.com. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  28. ^ "Landon makes adjustments, tops St. Albans for a share of the IAC title". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  29. ^ "Kristian Fletcher Signs With D.C. United | Club Soccer | Youth Soccer". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  30. ^ Eilerson, Nick (May 20, 2016). "Landon rallies late, then holds off Bullis for IAC baseball title". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  31. ^ "Landon School History: Founding, Timeline, and Milestones - Zippia". www.zippia.com. August 27, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  32. ^ Dowd, Maureen (June 9, 2010). "Their Dangerous Swagger". The New York Times. p. A21. Archived from the original on June 10, 2010.
  33. ^ Nakamura, David; Yanda, Steve; de Vise, Daniel (May 23, 2010). "The Complex Life of Murder Suspect George Huguely". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  34. ^ Reyes, Elaine (June 10, 2010). "Students Allegedly Tab Girls for "Fantasy Sex Draft"". WRC-TV. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  35. ^ Umana, Jose (September 3, 2022). "Landon School 'deeply concerned' after video shows students using racial slur on Metro". WTOP-FM. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  36. ^ a b Schulte, Brigid (November 23, 2002). "Eight at Landon School Admit Cheating on SAT". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  37. ^ Mullan, Dillon (January 28, 2016). "Quinnipiac hockey standout Sam Anas tries to blaze a trail from Maryland to the NHL". The Washington Post.
  38. ^ Joseph, Remi (May 17, 2021). "Eighth-grade Teacher Jaye Andrews' Global Life Before Greenhill". The Evergreen Online. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  39. ^ "Darion Atkins". Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site. April 28, 2020.
  40. ^ "Ned Bittinger". Grand Valley State University Art.
  41. ^ Olley, James. "Chelsea bid expected by L.A. Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly - sources". ESPN. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  42. ^ Caplan, Callie (May 15, 2018). "Boys' lacrosse Top 10: After more than 40 years, Rob Bordley coaches final Landon game". The Washington Post.
  43. ^ "Alan Brinkley, historian of liberalism, dies at 70". The Washington Post. June 17, 2019.
  44. ^ Lorge, Barry (September 4, 1977). "Donald Dell: All Over the Tennis Court". The Washington Post.
  45. ^ "austria.usembassy.gov".[permanent dead link]
  46. ^ Clark, Charlie (March 2, 2016). "Our Man in Arlington". Falls Church News Press.
  47. ^ Weingus, Leigh (December 5, 2013). "This Is What Happened To The Original 'Sound Of Music' Cast". Huffpost.
  48. ^ Parker, Ryan (November 8, 2021). "'Spider-Man' TV Star Nicholas Hammond Wasn't Approached for 'No Way Home' — But He Sure Wanted to Be". The Hollywood Reporter.
  49. ^ Bijan C. Bayne (July 7, 2010). "Landon's Fred Hetzel Named to Southern Conference Hall of Fame". DC Basketball Blog. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  50. ^ Strauss, Robert (November 15, 2011). "Rush Holt, The Lone Physicist in the U.S. Congress, Has Become New Jersey's Voice For Innovation and Education-www.njmonthly.com". New Jersey Monthly.
  51. ^ Timanus, Eddie; Brady, Erik (May 4, 2010). "Lawyer calls Virginia lacrosse murder case an 'accident'". USA Today. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  52. ^ "Ken Jenkins Career Statistics". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  53. ^ Superior Court of the District of Columbia. "The Honorable Rufus G. King, III, Chief Judge, Superior Court of the District of Columbia" (PDF). (Official Biography). Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  54. ^ Levey, Bob (December 30, 1979). "Ann S. Miller Is Married to Knight Kiplinger". The New York Times.
  55. ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1985–1986,' Biographical Sketch of Bronson C. La Follette, pg. 6
  56. ^ "General Greg Martin '66". Landon School. Archived from the original on June 21, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  57. ^ "General Gregory S. Martin". (Official Biography). U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  58. ^ "When and How to Scale: DC Startup at a CrossRoads". Forbes. May 27, 2014. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  59. ^ Free, Bill (May 18, 1992). "In a splash, Olympics disappear for paddlers – Final U.S. berths won on Savage River". Baltimore Sun.
  60. ^ Carmody, John (December 26, 1989). "The TV Column". Washington Post.
  61. ^ "Junior USTA Interscholastic Championships". USTA Yearbook. United States Tennis Association. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  62. ^ "Best 300 Professors Press Release". princetonreview.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  63. ^ Glover, Mary Clare (November 12, 2009). "New Neighbors: Povich and Chung Are Moving Back to Washington". Washingtonian.
  64. ^ Giannotto, Mark (February 4, 2011). "Danny Rubin goes from Landon to Boston College walk-on to ACC starter". Washington Post.
  65. ^ Dichiara, Tom. "No Trial Too Daunting". Landon Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  66. ^ "Breaking down the walls that divide us". Landon. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  67. ^ Lowell Davis (August 19, 2008). "Summer '08 – Lowell in the Big City". Lowell's Blog. Landon School. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  68. ^ Katherine Thurston (October 2002). "Teddy Sears". About One Life to Live Fans Guide. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  69. ^ "Topper Shutt". WUSA9. February 8, 2018.
  70. ^ "US Civil Liberties". historycommons.org. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  71. ^ "Thomas Wadden – Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania". Landon Magazine. Fall 2012.
  72. ^ University of Virginia Athletics Men's Lacrosse. "Player Bio: Matt Ward". UVA Athletics. University of Virginia. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  73. ^ "Spring 2002 All-Met Lacrosse". The Washington Post.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Landon_School&oldid=1253435513"