The Langley School Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary

On Friday, September 22, The Langley School marked its 75^th anniversary, celebrating three-quarters of a
century of building lifelong foundations and life-changing relationships in
Northern Virginia. In honor of this significant milestone, students took part in
a variety of 75-themed activities by grade that encouraged them to reflect on
the school’s historic roots and its bright future.

In the Primary School division,
Langley’s 3- to 5-year-olds created a 75^th birthday crown using
their fingerprints and made handprint candles on a birthday cake banner.
First-graders discovered how many words they could spell using 75 letter tiles
and what they could build using 75 blocks, while second-graders used Google
Maps to locate cities 75 miles away from Langley’s campus in McLean.

As they designed their own footprints, third-graders
reflected on the impact former generations had on the school and the footprint
they will leave behind. Fourth-grade students made a giant birthday card
highlighting what the school was like in 1942 and what it will be like 75 years
from now. Looking 75 years into the future, fifth-graders completed a writing
project to describe the school in the year 2092 and a math project in which
they designed a futuristic classroom.

Middle School language arts students
wrote limericks in tribute to the school, studied poems with a “75” theme, and
wrote a class poem about Langley’s 75 years. In social studies, students in
grades 6 and 7 interviewed a family member who was alive in 1942, giving them
an understanding of what life was like then and how family history helps
connect us to the past. Langley’s Middle School world language students
identified 75 cities where French, Chinese, or Spanish is spoken and 75 words
in their target language that described The Langley School. As part of their
study of plate tectonics, sixth-grade science students used the world seismic
monitor to plot the location and magnitude of the last 75 earthquakes recorded
around the world.

“Our teachers looked for
age-appropriate, meaningful ways to celebrate The Langley School’s 75^th
birthday,” says Head of School Dr. Elinor Scully. “These activities not only
taught our students about the importance of this special anniversary year, but
also gave them an understanding of the time period in which Langley was
founded, the generations before them who helped build the school into what it
is today, and the impact they, too, can have on the future success of The
Langley School.”

The spirited activities on September 22
were only part of a year-long celebration at Langley. The school kicked off the
festivities when students returned on September 5 with a retro theme featuring
games, music, and vintage photos from the 1940s. Parent volunteers helped bring
Langley’s past 75 years in McLean to life by creating a museum walk and
historical timeline which will be on display on campus throughout the year. In
addition, the school has invited generations of its parents, alumni, and
leaders to return to campus for various events.

The
Langley School was founded in McLean in 1942 with an enrollment of just 19
children. A pioneer in early childhood education from its beginnings as a
modest cooperative school, The Langley School has
evolved into one of the premier independent elementary schools in Virginia,
enrolling 480 students in preschool through eighth grade. Grounded in a deep
respect for childhood, The Langley School offers an exceptional
community and an inquiry-based academic curriculum paired with a unique
social-emotional program. Since 1942, The Langley School has shaped confident,
kind, self-aware learners who are prepared to thrive in the nation’s top high
schools and beyond.