Grades 9-12

Students watch an experiment in biology

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 work in engineering, 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.

Kali

Upper School Science Teacher

Loading from Vimeo...
Theodore '24

student

Loading from Vimeo...
Kendall

student

Loading from Vimeo...
Administrator speaks to students in garden

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

79%

of Class of 2023 Attending College where Applied Early or Priority

41%

Students of Color

Anchor

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 learn to think, solve, and innovate so they gain confidence in their strengths and clarity in the paths their future could hold. 

Teacher explains experiment to chemistry students

 

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.

Students work on circuit board

 

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.

40

Clubs

60

Electives

6

Science Labs

Upper School Academics

The varsity hockey team poses for a photo after winning the IAC championship.

Ice hockey and wrestling claimed the IAC championships, while the squash team won its first league championship in school history. Between wrestling and diving, Landon student-athletes earned multiple individual championship titles. Here is a wrap-up of the 2023-24 winter varsity season.

A modern twist on an ancient text

Grade 9 English students use creativity and critical thinking skills to understand the play, Oedipus Rex. Find out how a rap project helped them connect to the centuries-old text.

Building bridges to hands-on learning

Upper School engineering students test their understanding of bridge design and efficiency. Find out how their balsa wood assignment helped Grade 5 students prepare for their next hands-on STEM challenge.

Zak Oehlerking '22 poses for a photo with Dr. Wu. 

Zak Oehlerking ’22 returned to campus with his a cappella group, The Dartmouth Aires, and shared the joy of singing with the Upper School.

Stossel gives presentation to MS and US students about social media and technology

Max Stossel, a Youth & Education Advisor for the Center for Humane Technology, spoke with Landon students, faculty, and our parent community about the impact social media and technology have on our lives and society.

Varsity football team photo

Sixteen student-athletes earned all-IAC honors, the varsity football team was named IAC Co-Champion, and Nathan Furgeson ’24 was selected IAC Player of the Year for football.

Upper School students compete in a math meet against other schools. 

Upper School students grab their calculators and pencils to compete as a team against other schools in math meets. Find out how this academic competition builds their skills and camaraderie.

Students pose with Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng

Chinese language students visited the Chinese Embassy for a documentary premiere and cultural immersion. Find out how this experience strengthened boys’ passion for language learning.

Nathan '24 throwing football 

In a world of increasing athletic specialization, Landon holds fostering multisport athletes as a central tenet of our philosophy. Learn more about how the football program has benefited this season.

Seniors from different Bear teams gather for a group photo.

New Bears find out which one of eight Bear teams they will be joining at an all-school sorting event. Find out how juniors and seniors led the way to welcome them and build excitement for Bear Games.

Teacher explains chemistry concept

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.

Chris Ros, for example, is the head of our science department and our head varsity swim and dive coach. He also works as an environmental science and chemistry teacher as well as an advisor.

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. See how below!

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 our 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

Students walk with teacher

8:15-8:30 a.m.

Arrival

Teacher explains assignment in garden

8:30-9:20 a.m.

English

Students practice Chinese with teacher

9:25-10:10 a.m.

Chinese

Student and teacher talk in library

10:15-10:45 a.m.

Break

Middle Row

Students race cars in engineering class

10:50-11:25 a.m.

Science

Students ring handbells at a concert

11:35-12:20 p.m.

Music

Students and teacher talk at lunch

12:25-1:30 p.m.

Lunch/Clubs/Meetings

Bottom Row

Student paints while teacher looks on

1:35-2:20 p.m.

Art

Students talk in garden

2:25-3:15 p.m.

History

Student swings raquet

3:30-5:15 p.m.

Athletics

Upper School Clubs

  • American Heroes
  • Animanga Club
  • Architecture Club
  • Asian Student Society
  • Automotive Culture Club
  • Basketball Club
  • Bear Broadcasting
  • Bear Club
  • Black Student Union
  • Chess Club
  • Chinese Club
  • Christian Student Association
  • Clef Dwellers (A Capella)
  • Conflict and Resolution Club
  • Current Events Club
  • Debate Club
  • Ethics Club
  • EV Grand Prix Team
  • It's Academic
  • Japanese Film Club
  • Jewish Student Alliance
  • Latino-Hispanic Student Syndicate 
  • Martial Arts Club
  • Math Club
  • Meaningful Conversations Club
  • Mindfulness Club
  • Model UN
  • Multicultural Understanding Club
  • Pride at Landon
  • Probability-based Games Club
  • The Real Word Club
  • Scholarly Bears Club
  • Scuba/Marine Science Club
  • STEM Club
  • STEP (Students to End Poverty) Club
  • Soccer Club
  • Sports Analytics Club
  • Tennis Club
  • Young Democrats 
  • Young Republicans

Portrait of a Graduate 

Landon students are offered a unique experience. Our goal is that they will do something with it, that they will make a positive difference in their communities and the larger world, in ways big and small.  

Our goal is that they will become virtuous and well-rounded men who contribute and give back to the common good out of both a sense of personal responsibility and an awareness that much has been given to them. Our ambition is that Landon graduates might be described individually and collectively – and throughout their lives – as persons who live into these characteristics and mindsets.

Anchor

Arts

Teacher works with student on painting

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.

Student plays guitar

 

Music

Boys learning from Landon’s 30 full-time and adjunct music faculty gain from the expertise of some of the best musicians in the Washington, D.C. area.  Academic credit is available for students who participate in the Chamber Singers, the Bearitones (a capella group), handbells, symphonic band, jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble, and strings ensemble.

Students make pottery in ceramics class

 

Studio Art

The studio art track at Landon begins with a course in drawing before opening to electives in painting, architecture, ceramics, digital art, advanced drawing, sculpture, and photojournalism. Our studio teachers are celebrated artists who have a passion for helping young artists refine their skills. Landon boys often earn awards for work submitted to regional and national competitions. 

Student performs song from Shrek the musical

 

Theater

Landon and Holton-Arms School have three co-ed productions each year under the direction of trained theater professionals who also serve as faculty at the schools. Past productions include PuffsChicago,  and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Boys can take acting classes, join the Improv Club, or write and direct an original play in our annual Director’s Workshop.  

100%

Of Students Participate in Arts for 2 years+

30

Musicians on Faculty

22

Courses in Music, Studio, and Theater Arts

    Anchor

    Athletics

    Student plays lacrosse

    Every boy participates in athletics during every season.

    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: whether it's scoring a goal for our lacrosse team, participating in strength and conditioning workouts, or playing for fun in one of our club sports.

    We offer 21 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
    Crew
    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. 

    Bordley Stadium

    Turf field, track, and stadium

    Armstrong Field

    Armstrong Field 

    Jacoby Tennis Courts

    Jacoby Tennis Courts

    Barton Alumni Athletic Center

    Barton Alumni Athletic Center

    Riddleberger Gym

    Riddleberger Gym

    Perkins Gym

    Perkins Gym

    Landon School's state of the art gymnasium facilities and strength and conditioning room

    Weight Room

    Goddard Field

    Goddard Field

    Landon students wrestle

    Boehly Wrestling Room

    Student playing water polo

    Dixon Pool

    Landon students playing street hockey

    Sport Court

    Prindle Field

    Prindle Field

    student playing ice hockey

    Bears' Den, Rockville Ice Arena

    Landon Bear

    Go Bears!

    Signing day student athletes 2023

    College-Bound Athletes

    Many of our student-athletes compete at the collegiate level across all divisions; since 2010, more than 195 Landon graduates have played NCAA athletics. Read more about the 19 who will play college athletics from Landon's Class of 2023!

    Anchor

    Health, Wellness & Fitness

    Student throws ball

    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!

    Our wellness classes provide boys with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions and healthy choices for themselves and to help others. In our life skills class, boys learn about stress, mindfulness, illegal substances, internet safety, as well as relationships, communication, and consent.

    Anchor

    Ethics, Service & Leadership

    Students sign 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

    100%

    Seniors Complete Ethics or Service Capstone Project

    800

    Code of Character Signatures

    10000

    Meals Packed for Rise Against Hunger

    Andreas '23 poses for a photo in front of the BAC

    Lead for Change

    Andreas ’23 took his passion for representative government and turned it into action within his community. His push to get 16 and 17-year-olds to vote proved successful when he persuaded the town of Chevy Chase to amend its charter. 

    read more

    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.

    Anchor

    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.

    They include Lunar New Year, and schoolwide events to honor Black History Month, Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage 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. 

    Anchor

    College Counseling

    Landon College Counselor, sitting at a table with an Upper $school student talking and smiling

    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.

    Class of 2023 Profile

     

    Landon Class of 2023

     

    90

    Students 

    58

    Different Colleges

    79%

    of Class of 2023 Attend College where Applied Early or Priority

    College Matriculation List 2023

    Bates College
    Boston College (2)
    Bowdoin College
    Brown University
    Bucknell University (2)
    California Institute of Technology
    Carnegie Mellon University
    Catholic University of America
    Clemson University
    Colgate University (2)
    Columbia University
    Dartmouth College (2)
    Davidson College
    Denison University
    Dickinson College
    Emory University (2)
    George Mason University
    Georgetown University (3)
    High Point University
    Indiana University Bloomington
    James Madison University (2)
    Kenyon College
    Louisiana State University
    Northeastern University
    Northwestern University
    Ohio Wesleyan University
    Penn State University (4)
    Providence College
    Rhodes College
    Robert Morris University
    Santa Clara University

    Skidmore College
    Southern Methodist University (3)
    Swarthmore College
    Syracuse University
    The University of Alabama
    Trinity College (CT)
    Tufts University
    Tulane University (4)
    United States Military Academy at West Point
    University of Southern California, Los Angeles
    University of Maryland (6)
    University of Miami
    University of Michigan
    University of Mississippi
    University of North Carolina
    University of Notre Dame
    University of Pennsylvania
    University of South Carolina
    University of Virginia (5)
    University of Wisconsin (2)
    Vanderbilt University (2)
    Villanova University 
    Wake Forest University (2)
    Washington and Lee University (2)
    Wesleyan University 
    Williams College
    Yale University

    *Five students of the Class of 2023 will either play professional soccer, participate in required military service in their home country, or take a postgraduate year.

    Anchor

    FAQ

    Course of Study guide
    Landon admissions viewbook

    Anchor

    News & Calendar

    The varsity hockey team poses for a photo after winning the IAC championship.

    Ice hockey and wrestling claimed the IAC championships, while the squash team won its first league championship in school history. Between wrestling and diving, Landon student-athletes earned multiple individual championship titles. Here is a wrap-up of the 2023-24 winter varsity season.

    A modern twist on an ancient text

    Grade 9 English students use creativity and critical thinking skills to understand the play, Oedipus Rex. Find out how a rap project helped them connect to the centuries-old text.

    Calendar

    -
    Coates Auditorium

    Continue Exploring