Langley [lang·ley] – A popular term thrown around in Hollywood spy movies, especially in reference to the CIA.

Everyone wants to see his/her name in lights. And if you go to Langley High School, you’re in luck – countless movies, TV shows, songs, and books refer to Langley, Virginia. Although we like to think of ourselves as the main priority of the town, more importantly is the CIA, located about two miles away from the school.

While the location of our school is irrelevant to Hollywood directors, people agree it’s the coolest to see the name of your high school in movies and shows like Quantum of Solace, The Bourne Identity, and even in an episode of The Office.

 “I think it’s awesome when Langley is mentioned in the movies,” says freshman McKenzie Malpede. “It makes me so proud that I go here.”

While a representative of the CIA assures that movies depicting the CIA “do not reflect the reality of the Central Intelligence Agency,” action movies like James Bond are fun to watch, especially when you hear references like “buried deep in the Langley facility,” in The Borne Identity, or see at the bottom of the screen “Langley, Virginia,” in Quantum of Solace.

Even television shows have connected Langley with the CIA. A popular animated show, American Dad, takes place in a fictional town called “Langley Falls”, an obvious combination of Great Falls and Langley. In the show, the main character, Stan, works at the CIA. 

The band, As Box Car Racer has a reference in their song called Watch the World as well – “I saw Virginia, get rid of Langley, and its secrets too”.

Other movies, TV shows, and books referring to Langley include Burn After Reading, Get Smart, Shooter, Transformers 2, and the book I’d Tell you I Love You, but then I’d Have to Kill You.

 Even if we are “lacking in school pride” at school, in the movie theater, you can bet we draw attention to our high school’s name.