He is why we don’t waver – in our values, our program, or our people. And this commitment to him is why we are a national leader in boys’ college preparatory education.
We want him to bring his energy, goodness, ideas, humor, creativity, curiosity, and intensity to every class, performance, project, and practice. The men and women of Landon who will be his teachers, coaches, mentors, and friends will challenge him to bring his very best.
OUR PROMISE
We challenge and inspire every boy to think deeply and broadly; to embody the values of respect, resilience, and honor; to seek balance and pursue excellence in all endeavors; to become the best version of himself.
A LEADER IN ALL-BOYS EDUCATION
At Landon, boys achieve at one of the finest all-boys college preparatory schools in the nation.
Since 1929, Landon School has prepared generations of boys to become accomplished, responsible, and caring men. For nearly a century, this mission has been made possible by dedicated men and women who have tirelessly shared their talent and expertise, by students eager to engage in the challenges Landon has introduced to them, and by the demanding, high-minded expectations Landon has set before them. Our program develops boys as scholars and servantleaders, as thinkers and creators, as men of character and commitment who are ready for college and life beyond.
SPACE TO EXPLORE
75 acres of fields, labs, studios, and active boys
ENTHUSIASTIC FACULTY
Experienced teachers apply best practices for boys, such as incorporating movement, nontraditional assessments, and healthy competition into their lesson plans.
CHARACTER EDUCATION
800 signatures on the Code of Character pledge – one for every student and faculty and staff member
A DYNAMIC AND CHALLENGING CURRICULUM
Our teachers present key concepts in ways boys find exciting – such as stock market contests, Shark Tank pitches, and geography mystery games.
A DIVERSE COMMUNITY 40% students of color and a student body offering countless perspectives
RELATIONSHIPS CRITICAL FOR LEARNING
Respecting his teachers, coaches, and mentors as experts who genuinely care about him is essential to his willingness to learn.
A BALANCED APPROACH
Every boy in every grade participates in arts and athletics programming.
CONNECTIONS THAT LAST FOR LIFE
5,000+ alumni willing and able to support young Bears in their careers
AN
ACTION-PACKED
SCHEDULE
Our school days move as fast as boys do and provide the breaks they need to remain engaged throughout the day.
LOWER SCHOOL, GRADES 3–6
A happy, healthy, and active environment awaits every Lower School boy.
Our faculty are well versed in what a boy needs to be successful throughout his academic career. it all starts in the Lower School, where we thoughtfully build a foundation of essential critical-thinking skills and social and emotional wellness. Our approach is backed by research and based solely on what’s best for boys.
• Projects like the construction of a life-size egyptian tomb and a spaghetti bridge engage boys’ energy in hands-on learning, problem solving, and competition.
• A developmentally appropriate schedule maximizes students’ most attentive time periods.
• Daily recess rejuvenates boys’ brains, boosting cognitive development and overall health.
• Harvard’s Project Zero pedagogical approaches elevate boys’ critical-thinking capabilities.
• Silent, sustained reading time ends each school day, when students most need calm.
MIDDLE SCHOOL, GRADES 7–8
During this time of transition for boys, teachers are role models whom the boys respect and admire.
The Middle School program focuses on increasing students’ aptitude for challenge, broadening their interests, and spurring social and emotional growth. Teachers know how to get the most out of every boy and vary their instruction accordingly – whether it’s a rotation of 10-minute learning stations in Chinese class or metric Olympic challenges in science.
• Students choose to study either Chinese, French, Latin, or Spanish.
• Students present “This i Believe” speeches before the entire Middle School, learning the value of their voice, speaking in public, and writing persuasively.
• Boys have small-group advisory sessions in which they share their ideas, perspectives, and emotions.
• Faculty emphasize time management, self advocacy, and organization – strengthening the executive functioning skills needed for success in the upper School.
115 movement minutes per day 2 days learning and traveling during spring Mini-Mester trips
UPPER SCHOOL, GRADES 9–12
Holistic challenge yields the intellect, resilience, and independence that help boys become good men.
Adolescent boys must be known, and at Landon, they are –by teachers, coaches, and mentors who see them through multiple perspectives and leverage such relationships to the boys’ benefit. Students grapple with difficult ideas in humanities, build mousetrap-powered cars, create films of classic literary works, and hone the acoustics of paper plate speakers. Along the way, they realize how far their abilities can take them.
• Faculty, staff, and alumni lead seniors through the Senior Capstone experiences to give boys real-world opportunities.
• Senior prefects serve as role models and tutors for Bears in the Lower and Middle schools.
• Science classes employ student-directed laboratory investigations that give boys the opportunity to further develop their criticalthinking and analytical skills as the year progresses.
• More than 40 different clubs are offered, including improv Club, Model uN, it’s Academic Team, Chess Club, Debate Club, and more.
40 honors courses offered every year
COLLEGE MATRICULATION
Three or more Landon students have attended the following colleges over the last four years:
Boston College
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Bucknell University
Claremont McKenna College
College of Charleston
Dartmouth College
Denison University
Dickinson College
Drexel University
Emory University
Georgetown University
Indiana University, Bloomington
Penn State University, University Park
Purdue University, Main Campus
Southern Methodist University
Swarthmore College
Syracuse University
Texas Christian University
The Ohio State University
The University of Texas at Austin
Tulane University of Louisiana
United States Military Academy at West Point
United States Naval Academy
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Chicago
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Mississippi
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Virginia, Main Campus
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Vanderbilt University
Villanova University
Wake Forest University
Washington and Lee University
William & Mary
“Throughout his years at Landon, my son has grown from a shy boy focused on his own interests to a young man always looking for ways to put others before himself. We could not be more proud.”
CURRENT PARENT
MEN OF CHARACTER
The goodness and vast human potential inherent in boys inspire our focus on character development.
We know boys will rise to the expectations set for them. That is why our Code of Character is at the core of what we do every day. We develop caring and thoughtful men who realize that their views and ideas matter, that their words can lift others, and that their actions, guided by respect, empathy, inclusivity, and civility, can effect positive change. it is not just worthy work; it is a moral obligation we owe to our boys, their families, and the world to develop young men who live honorable and ethical lives.
SERVING WITH EMPATHY
Service is voluntary at Landon because a requirement has never been necessary to motivate our boys to share their time and talents with others. Landon boys look out for opportunities to work with different types of people through Special Olympics, A Wider Circle, and iona Senior Services, among others.
Students attend Landon from 98 different ZIP codes around the DMV area.
ACTING WITH HONOR
every student, teacher, and staff member signs our Code of Character at the beginning of every school year, reminding boys that we all must be accountable to each other in modeling the principles of respect and honesty.
LEADING WITH PURPOSE
We believe leadership grows from experience, which is why Landon students earn opportunities to take responsibility for their own actions and those of their peers through positions on our student and honor councils, captaincies on our athletic teams, and more.
All Grade 8 students present
“This I Believe” speeches. Landon collaborates with Holton-Arms School on 21 annual coed events.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are priorities at Landon – and are evident in our student body, our curriculum, and the conversations we have with our boys. Our intentional and thoughtful approach will immerse your son in a community that truly lives out its values. indeed, we believe the wider the variety of boys we welcome into our community, the richer each boy’s experience will be.
Through our Buddies program, Upper School boys meet regularly with our Lower School Bears to serve as role models for our youngest boys.
Students in the Middle and Upper schools attend more than 100 ethics assemblies throughout the year, which include speeches presented by their peers and faculty.
NOTABLE ALUMNI AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
“A Constellation of Vital Phenomena,” written by Anthony Marra ’03, was nominated for the National Book Award.
Austin Bisnow ’06 sings lead vocals for Magic Giant, an alternative rock band whose songs have charted the Billboard Top 30.
Attorney Scott Harris ’84 is the 20th Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Recognized as All-Met Player of the Year in 2011 and the American Hockey Coaches Association Rookie of the Year at Quinnipiac, Sam Anas ’11 now plays professionally.
Dr. Vincent Santillo ’87, a former investment banker, changed careers after his own cancer diagnosis, earning his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Tom Scott ’85 cofounded Nantucket Nectars and is CEO of The Nantucket Project, an annual conference spurring dialogue around world issues.
Connections for Life
Along with the success your son achieves and the type of person he becomes through a Landon education, he will also have lasting friendships and a network of caring individuals throughout his career and his life. Whatever path your son chooses, he will have the support of Bears everywhere because they trust the character, intellect, and work ethic that stem from this shared experience.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TJ Kim ’22 has used his love for aviation and new pilot’s license to fly donated medical supplies every week to rural Virginia hospitals experiencing shortages. TJ’s “Operation SOS,” which stands for “Supplies Over Skies,” was recognized by the White House. He was also named a CNN Young Wonder for his efforts.
“i can see the effort he puts into playing quarterback or point guard, and i know he has the determination, focus, and patience required to improve as an artist.”
RICKY SEARS, STUDIO ART DEPARTMENT CHAIR AND JV HOCKEY COACH
GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT IN ALL AREAS
Boys experience real and lasting personal growth through challenge and balance.
We believe requiring a boy to engage in an array of experiences, while providing him with multiple levels of support and guidance, introduces him to passions and abilities he didn’t know he had. This approach is essential to his emotional, social, physical, and intellectual growth. The abilities to challenge himself, to constructively compete with those around him, to work hard toward a goal, and to learn from mistakes are essential skills for him to develop. That’s why every boy at Landon participates in arts and athletics in addition to our comprehensive and engaging academic program.
Teacher, Coach, Mentor
relationships are the foundation of our educational approach.
Boys work harder and achieve more when they respect and connect with their teachers. As experts in boys’ education, Landon faculty recognize that boys will only fully open themselves to complex intellectual problems and inspirational ideas when they trust that their teachers genuinely care about their well-being and success. The exceptional men and women at Landon treat this responsibility with the seriousness, commitment, and energy it deserves.
The same faculty members will guide your son during times of celebration, stress, adversity, and triumph, helping him navigate his emotions and grow from his experiences. Because teachers also serve as coaches and mentors, they know each boy in multiple areas and can introduce challenge and reinforce character development on an individual level.
Boys have group and one-on-one advisory meetings with faculty mentors every week.
Our teachers are experts in their fields – 57% hold advanced degrees.
The 10-year average tenure of faculty members illustrates their commitment to our boys.
With only 14 students in the average class, teachers are able to challenge each boy to achieve his personal best.
BROWN AND WHITE AND GRASS-STAIN GREEN
Athletic participation at Landon instills resilience, a strong work ethic, teamwork, and leadership. Because we believe so strongly in the importance of developing these qualities, every upper School boy participates in athletics for a minimum of two out of three seasons.
Athletic teams partner with community service organizations throughout the year to lead service projects with Families 4 Families, Wider Circle, Special Olympics, Jumpstart Jubilee, Just Tryan It, Leveling the Playing Field, and more.
70 graduates are currently playing sports at the collegiate level at such institutions as Amherst, Georgetown, Harvard, the Naval Academy, Northwestern, University of Michigan, and Yale.
LANDON SCHOOL
Landon offers 21 athletic options, some with varsity, junior varsity, and freshman teams.
Top coaches, trainers, and state-of-the-art facilities – from a turf field installed in 2019 to our 42,000-square-foot weight room – offer every Landon boy an experience akin to a collegiate student-athlete.
BEARS GO
The Bears have won 33 IAC championships in nine sports since 2018.
“Landon kind of raised me. The school has such a strong sense of brotherhood. It really helped me gain a stronger love for the sport because I felt like I was playing with people who always had my back.”
KRIS FLETCHER ’23, D.C. UNITED FORWARD
SEE HIS TALENT BECOME REMARKABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT.
The Upper School string orchestra earned the highest possible rating in all categories at the 2024 State Large Ensemble Festival.
During “MAD” Days (music, arts, and drama), Middle School students perform for the whole school, allowing them to see themselves as multidimensional and creative.
Exceptional handbells, orchestra, chorus, and band programs encourage award-winning musicians and beginners alike to take their musical ability to the next level.
Boys who participate in Landon’s theater program develop confidence and emotional intelligence, gain public speaking experience, and learn to work as a team.
Our Middle School studio provides noise-cancelling headphones for boys who prefer to work in silence and group tables for boys who prefer to talk while painting.
Landon students were recognized in the 2023 Maryland Region of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Oliver Bourne ’25 earned four Gold Key honors and Dhruv Narang ’24 earned a Silver Key for his artwork.
Lower School students learn empathy and artistic technique as they create portraits of civil rights leaders alongside their inspiring quotes.
Every year, Landon offers 22 courses in music, theater, and studio art to choose from, beginning in Grade 3.
The Best Version of Himself
KEVIN MILLER ’24
FOUNDER OF THE PEER TUTORING CLUB
in his senior year, Kevin was president of student council and cofounded a peer tutoring club. He was an honor roll student and played varsity lacrosse for four years, including two years as team captain. He currently attends Georgetown university.
“My calculus teacher taught me that asking for help is often necessary and courageous. This inspired me to start the club so all students could feel comfortable asking for help. in my pre-Landon days, i was timid and scared to lead, but Landon brought out my best.”
WILLIAM ABRAMSON ’23 RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN CHARACTER
in the upper School, Will was a prefect, team captain, co-chief editor of the Landon newspaper, and class president for three years. He was a varsity lacrosse player and is now on the team at Washington and Lee university.
“everyone succeeds and fails; however, Landon has shown me how to respond after a mistake and continue after a success. Landon instills integrity and morality into all of its boys through the character pledge and lessons in ethics. i enjoyed being a role model for the younger students.”
ART KEYS ’23 HEADMASTER’S AWARD RECIPIENT
Art earned the Headmaster’s Award for overall excellence and citizenship. As a senior, he was president of student council. Through the years, he was also a prefect, played varsity soccer, and was involved in honor council, the Black Student union, and Acting Workshop. He is attending Swarthmore College.
“i can say with confidence that my Landon education was both unique and rigorous, which prepared me to be a competitive student intellectually and morally. i was proud to be part of such a trusting and genuine community.”
Amid today’s challenges, boys excel with our commitment to flexibility, innovation, structure, and valued relationships. You can count on Landon. Nothing diminishes our dedication to providing a safe, healthy, and impactful learning experience for your son.
LANDON SCHOOL
STUDENT–COLLEGE COUNSELOR RATIO
LOCATION
Bethesda, Maryland
After-school programming offered until 6 p.m. for Lower and Middle schools
STUDENTS
700 students
40% students of color
Average class size: 14
TUITION
AND FINANCIAL AID
26%
FACULTY
74% male; 26% female
57% hold advanced degrees
Student–teacher ratio: 6:1
COED OPPORTUNITIES
21 annual collaborations with Holton-Arms School
TEACHERS, COACHES, AND MENTORS
The relationships they build with boys form the cornerstone of our entire approach, and the men and women who lead our students treat this responsibility with the seriousness and the energy it deserves.
COLLEGE PREPARATION
50% of Class of 2024 graduates attending colleges on the U.S. News & World Report Top 50 National universities or Liberal Arts Colleges lists
79% of the Class of 2024 are attending where they filed early applications
