T.M. Landry College Preparatory (also known simply as T.M. Landry) was an unaccredited, co-educational private college-preparatory school in Lafayette, Louisiana for grades K–12. The school initially made headlines for its 100% acceptance rate into 4-year colleges, but received negative attention in 2018 as the subject of an investigative report by The New York Times, detailing allegations of abuse of students and fabrication of transcripts and college applications. In 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation on the school. Following the controversy, the school's co-founders, Michael and Tracey Landry, stepped down from the school board but continued to serve as teachers at the school. As of 2022, the school has been closed.
History
T.M. Landry was originally established as a homeschool for five children in 2005. The founders of the school are Michael Landry, a former salesman and a certified teacher since 2002, and his wife Tracey Landry, who worked as a nurse prior to establishing the school and currently serves as the school's Principal. The school became an unaccredited private school for grades K–12. The state of Louisiana did not recognize the school's diploma but the school followed Louisiana state standards.
T.M. Landry moved into a former factory building in 2017. According to the school website, 142 students were enrolled in 2018, and the average class size was six students in primary school and 12 students in middle and high school. Tuition cost up to $675 a month. The school did not use textbooks, issue homework, or assign specific class schedules.
Following college enrollment, most Landry alumni have experienced mental health crises and struggled academically.
Media
T.M. Landry has been the subject of many national news features. Local television news outlets in Breaux Bridge and Louisiana have profiled the school. The school became the focus of national media attention in December 2016 after one high school senior was accepted into Cornell University. T.M. Landry students have been accepted into other prestigious schools, including: Harvard University, Boston University, Tulane University, Brown University, and New York University. In October 2018, NBC's show Today reported that T.M. Landry boasts a 100% college acceptance rate. T.M Landry students have been profiled on the Today show, Ellen, and CBS Morning News.
In November 2018, The New York Times published an investigative report that accused T.M. Landry of doctoring transcripts and college applications that, in turn, would get a student accepted into Ivy League schools. These tactics worked, and videos of students viewing acceptance letters went viral. The Times article alleged student abuse by the founder and principal, Michael Landry, who reportedly would choke students and force them to kneel before him for hours. According to 2013 court documents obtained by the reporters, Landry pleaded guilty to a count of simple battery and was sentenced to probation and a court-ordered anger management program. Students said that Landry told them he would ruin their chances of acceptance to college if they spoke of the abuse. In an interview with The New York Times, Landry denied the allegations of abuse.
In June 2019, The New York Times reported that FBI was investigating the college applications submitted by students at T. M. Landry.
Allegations of abuse and transcript falsifications
In a New York Times article published in November 2018, authors Erica L. Green and Katie Benner reported evidence that the school falsified transcripts, academic achievements, and community service on its students' applications to Ivy League schools. The article detailed accusations that the Landrys ran their school through fear and physical and emotional abuse. Numerous students and teachers support these allegations. Some of them reported that "students were forced to kneel on rice, rocks and hot pavement, and were choked, yelled at and berated." Accusations against Michael Landry including striking students and making one student eat rat feces. Landry admitted that he hit students, and he goaded white and black students to compete against each other. In December 2018, Louisiana State Police began an investigation into the abuse allegations.