Grades 9-12
Grades 9-12
Holistic challenge in the Upper School yields the resilience, independence, and character that help boys become good men.
At Landon, we believe in the capabilities of every young man in our charge—his thoughtful questions in calculus, his skilled artistry in ceramics, his extra reps after practice, and his kind words at Special Olympics.
And we believe that welcoming challenge as an opportunity to grow is the first step to him achieving his vast potential.
Thomas '23
Student
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Tom DiChiara
Upper School English Teacher
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Zach '24
Student
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The Upper School experience is intentionally designed to help boys develop into self-sufficient, confident, and responsible young men. What is fundamental to this work is a caring and inclusive environment where every boy feels a sense of belonging and a wealth of support to thrive. - ehren Federowicz, head of upper school
14
Average Class Size
64%
of Class of 2021 Attend College where Applied Early
41%
Students of Color
Academics
Our curriculum in Forms III–VI (Grades 9–12) prepares boys for success in college and in their lives after college graduation. As always, our teacher-coach-mentors guide boys in their endeavors. In fact, every boy has a faculty advisor to listen and offer advice throughout the duration of his Upper School career.
Boys grapple with complex ideas in humanities, build mousetrap-powered cars, and create films of classic literary works. Boys learn to think, solve, and innovate so they gain confidence in their strengths and clarity in the paths their future could hold.
Honors Classes
Landon offers 32 accelerated and honors classes in the Upper School that include multivariable calculus, environmental science, economics, and psychology. You can also take accelerated language, math, and history courses.
STEM
STEM is featured throughout Landon's curriculum. We also have classes in computer science, robotics, and engineering, which focus on hands-on learning to explain fundamental principles through collaborative projects.
Humanities
This interdisciplinary course is designed to promote inquiry into the foundations of Western intellectual and artistic culture. Students study major ideas that shaped human conversation through history, literature, art, and music.
43
Clubs
60
Electives
6
Science Labs
Teacher-Coach-Mentor
Boys work harder and achieve more when they respect and connect with their teachers.
Landon faculty members are experts in boys’ education and know that boys will only fully open themselves to intellectual challenges and inspirational ideas when they trust that their teachers genuinely care about their well-being and success.
This is the basis of our entire educational approach—what we call teacher-coach-mentor. Our teachers will get to know your son not only in the classroom, but also in the chorus room, on the playing field, and in ethics discussions.
Daily Schedule
Grounded in our holistic approach, the Upper School schedule offers breaks for boys to meet teachers for extra help, collaborate with peers on a project, meet with one of 44 clubs, or attend singing rehearsals for an upcoming performance.
Perhaps more importantly, it instills time management skills boys will need in the freedom of college environments. The daily schedule below is one example, and other days could include:
- ethics, service, and leadership
- diversity, equity, and inclusion
- health and wellness
- mentor time with academic advisor
- office hours with teachers
- study halls
Top Row
8:30-8:50 a.m.
Advisory
9:00-9:45 a.m.
English
9:50-10:25 a.m.
Computer Science
10:25-10:45 a.m.
Movement Break
Middle Row
10:40-11:25 a.m.
Chemistry
11:35-12:20 p.m.
Music
12:25-1:30 p.m.
Lunch/Clubs
Bottom Row
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Art
2:25-3:10 p.m.
History
3:30-5:15 p.m.
Athletics
Advisory is a dedicated time when students and faculty can relax, share some laughs, and cultivate an authentic community. I have found that it is during these informal moments that many of the most genuine and profound bonds have been formed.- Thomas Pipoli, Upper School History Department Chair and Student Advisor
Arts
In the Upper School, boys pursue excellence in the arts disciplines of their choice.
Boys are required to complete two years of arts classes before graduation, but many choose to take more. With 22 courses available in music, theater, and studio art, boys find plenty of opportunity to push their talents to the next level.
100%
Of Students Participate in Arts for 2 years+
30
Musicians on Faculty
22
Courses in Music, Studio, and Theater Arts
Arts Offerings
Landon commissioned an original script from local playwright Natalie Ann Valentine for its virtual spring production with Holton-Arms School.
Take a look at how these students demonstrated creativity, collaboration, and connection despite their social distance in The Wayward Inn.
Our Upper School literary arts magazine, Prometheus Unbound, includes original poetry, short stories, and studio art from students, who edit and produce the publication.
Athletics
Every boy participates in athletics during every season because we know boys benefit greatly from the guidance of our teacher-coach-mentors and from the experience of working with their peers toward a shared goal. Our program is designed to help boys appreciate the value of a healthy, active lifestyle.
We offer 22 athletic options, and some with varsity, junior varsity, and freshman teams. Strength and conditioning is also offered all three seasons.
Upper School Sports
Season | Interscholastic Sports |
---|---|
Fall | Cross Country Football Soccer Volleyball Water Polo |
Winter | Basketball Ice Hockey Indoor Track and Field Riflery Squash Swimming and Diving Wrestling |
Spring | Baseball Fencing Golf Lacrosse Outdoor Track and Field Rugby Tennis Ultimate Frisbee |
Athletic Facilities
Landon's 75-acre campus offers state-of-the-art facilities such as our Barton Alumni Athletic Center, which includes two gymnasiums, a wrestling room, and a 5,500-square-foot strength and conditioning area that features almost 9,000 pounds of weights.
Outside, we have a turf field with a track, four grass fields, 10 outdoor tennis courts, two baseball fields, an outdoor swimming pool, two miles of cross country trails, and a riflery range. Our ice hockey team skates at the Bears’ Den at Rockville Ice Arena.
Championship Tradition
Varsity teams at Landon have won more than 200 Interstate Athletic Conference (IAC) championships. Since claiming our first IAC title in 1939, Landon has won at least one in every year since except for three.
Many of our student-athletes compete at the collegiate level across all divisions; since 2010, more than 160 Landon graduates have played NCAA athletics. Sixteen from the Class of 2021 will join them.
Two full-time certified athletic trainers manage the overall health and wellness of our student-athletes, while two certified strength and conditioning coaches teach boys how to safely increase their physical fitness.
Health, Wellness & Fitness
Our work with boys around their well-being is found in every facet of the Upper School experience.
Using the teacher-coach-mentor model, our teachers develop deep and meaningful relationships with the boys and address larger issues like empathy, self-esteem, sportsmanship, and humility in a one-on-one capacity and in small groups. We also instill in students that being active isn't only about athletics. It can be simply fun, and still good for you, such as this game of spikeball!
Our health and wellness classes provide boys with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions and healthy choices for themselves and help others. In our life skills class, for example, boys learn about stress and anxiety, mindfulness, alcohol and drugs, digital footprint and internet safety, and more. They also learn about relationships, communication, and consent.
Landon boys also have plenty of time during the day to stay active. From movement breaks throughout the day to daily athletics, every student learns to enjoy and prioritize physical fitness no matter his level of athletic ability.
Ethics, Service & Leadership
Character Pledge
Character development is central to all we do.
Our ability to advance this goal is dependent on the willingness of individual community members to agree to and embrace the principles of good character outlined in our Character Pledge. This Pledge serves as an overarching standard for daily ethical conduct and includes three parts: an Honor Code, a Civility Code, and our Core Values. Each year all Landon students, teachers, and staff are asked to read and sign a document pledging themselves to these principles.
Honor Code
I will not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate others doing so.
Civility Code
I will regard and treat all people – whether in word or deed – with respect and dignity. I will treat my relationships, school, surroundings, and myself similarly. I will not tolerate behaviors by others that run counter to the principles of respectful behavior and decency.
Core Values
Respect – Honesty – Teamwork – Responsibility – Perseverance – Kindness – Inclusivity – Courage – Gratitude – Humility – Service
Ethics
At least twice a month, Upper School students attend ethics assemblies led by their peers in which a member of the community, either students, faculty or staff, delivers an impactful speech about one of Landon's core values.
Advisory
Boys express their thoughts, views, and emotions with peers and a trusted faculty advisor in small-group advisory sessions, where boys discuss ethical dilemmas, evaluate lessons learned, and bond with classmates.
Leadership
On the Student Council, as a Prefect (Senior ethics leaders), and in our Admissions Student Ambassador program, boys are chosen by their peers and faculty members to lead the Upper School and represent Landon.
Service
Students feel empowered to address community needs through hands-on experience helping others by participating in service activities with organizations like Special Olympics, Rise Against Hunger, and A Wider Circle.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Respect is a core value of a Landon School education. And respecting others means respecting and celebrating their different journeys, backgrounds, and identities. Landon is committed to promoting supportive and welcoming traits like inclusivity and appreciating diversity and how it enriches the tapestry of the community. We seek to develop in our students the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to value differences, encouraging both speaking and acting with integrity and compassion and developing an informed and respectful worldview.
This work is supported by round table discussions, school assemblies, and events based on cultural celebrations, such as Chinese New Year, and schoolwide events to honor Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. Students are at the center of this work, as they share their own stories and become presenters at these events.
College Counseling
Landon wants every boy to attend the college that will fulfill his academic potential and match his personal aspirations.
Because our college counselors work closely with each student, they can guide him through the college admissions process and ensure he chooses the college that will serve him best. Our team of three college counselors possesses more than 60 years of college admissions experience among them, while our 30:1 student–counselor ratio is far below that of most private and public schools. Landon boys gain the expertise and the personal attention needed to confidently make the right choice.
Portrait of a Graduate
Our ambition is that Landon graduates might be described individually and collectively – and throughout their lives – as persons who:
Class of 2021 Profile
82
Students
61
Different Colleges
52
Attending a School where Applied Early
58% of Class of 2021 attend colleges on U.S. News and World Report Top 50 National Universities or Liberal Arts Colleges lists.
Seniors keep learning after their last exam.
During their final few weeks on campus before graduation, our seniors participate in "25 Things All Bears Should Know." They take short courses and seminars on 25 different subjects that will serve them well in college and beyond including:
- Career planning
- Car repair
- Childcare
- Cooking
- Dining etiquette
- Finance and taxes
- Interviewing
- Ironing and laundry
- Networking
- Presentations
- Woodworking
FAQ
- Who leads the Upper School?
- What is my schedule like?
- What can I expect from academics in the Upper School?
- Does Landon offer Advanced Placement classes?
- Do I get a computer at school?
- What if I need extra help with academics?
- How will I make friends?
- What ethics and leadership programs does Landon offer?
- How will I keep track of my grades?
- What art and music options do I have at Landon?
- What sports does Landon offer?
- Do I have to play sports all three seasons?
- What clubs does Landon offer?
- Is community service required?
- Who can I ask if I have questions?
Who leads the Upper School?
What is my schedule like?
What can I expect from academics in the Upper School?
Does Landon offer Advanced Placement classes?
Do I get a computer at school?
What if I need extra help with academics?
How will I make friends?
What ethics and leadership programs does Landon offer?
How will I keep track of my grades?
What art and music options do I have at Landon?
What sports does Landon offer?
Do I have to play sports all three seasons?
What clubs does Landon offer?
Is community service required?
Who can I ask if I have questions?
News & Calendar
Charlie Bundy ’22 won an individual IAC title in golf. Here is a wrap-up of the spring varsity season for 2022.
Landon’s Upper School 2022 edition of our literary magazine, Prometheus Unbound, is dedicated to retiring English Teacher and Prometheus faculty advisor Matt Dougherty.
Congratulations to the Class of 2022! Although we moved graduation indoors because of the weather, the spirit of the seniors was not dampened one bit. Here are the major award winners recognized at Commencement.
Congratulations to Landon’s Class of 2022! We have 89 seniors who will attend 55 different schools. Three members of the class will enter a post-graduate program or take a gap year.
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