Character Education

Among the most important learning that takes place at Landon is the growth and development of principled young men of character and moral conviction. As a non-sectarian school, Landon does not offer religious education, but we nonetheless offer a rigorous instructional program in ethics, teaching about values every day.

Code of Character

In 2008, Landon adopted a Code of Character which brings together the principles of respect and honesty that are central to the School's Civility and Honor Codes.

Boys in Middle and Upper School live by the Honor Code which was written by students in the mid-1960s and reaffirmed in the early 2000s. In addition, the Landon Civility Code calls on each member of the community to respect the needs and interests of all. Our youngest students have their own Lower School Motto, coined by former Lower School Senior Master James Weiss: "Be honest, do your best and help the other fellow."

Click here to watch the presentation and signing of the Code of Character by the Landon students on September 3, 2008.

Ethics Classes

Headmaster David M. Armstrong teaches an ethics class for Form III boys, and our Prefects meet regularly with Form IV boys for peer-to-peer conversations about ethical issues. Those classes often lead to spirited conversations reflecting the difficulty of "doing the right thing" in today's complicated world.

Paul Banfield Endowed Chair in Ethics

The Class of 1954 has endowed a chair held by Rick Kirschner '83, whose role is to promote teaching about ethics throughout the school. Mr. Kirschner leads the "Ethics and Leadership in Our Schools" conference, scheduled annually in the winter semester, which brings students and faculty from 30-40 regional schools to campus for a day of workshops.

The George Boiardi '00 Memorial Forum for Ethical Reflection

This series of lectures, named in memory of an outstanding Landon alumnus, brings special guest speakers to campus to share their vision with students, faculty and parents.

Click here to watch a presentation by 2008 Boiardi Ethics speaker Michelle D. Freeman speak to students and faculty about philanthropy and the importance of stepping up to make change happen. Read more here about Mrs. Freeman and her presentation.