Holton brain drain?

[Anonymous]

MA head changed but promoted the assistant MS HOS so should be seamless transition.

[Anonymous]

Holton HS family here—we have not seen the upheaval some posters would lead you to believe are happening. I do anticipate a number of HS retirements over the next few years due to the fact there are a number of teachers in their 60s who I assume won’t stay too much longer. Holton is a well-oiled machine for bringing on new teachers—it should be fine.

[Anonymous]

LS and MS parent here.

For MS, it’s a bit of a wait and see. The outgoing Division Director is kind, patient and responsive. She brings a great energy to the school and is always a calming and steady presence according to my DD. Unfortunately, she is leaving to be the MS Director at NCS. Her successor has never worked in an administrative position before, but is the current Director’s protege so I’m hoping for the best (since I don’t have a choice until next application season!).

For anyone entering LS I think you are ultimately fine. The LS Division Director is one of the strongest administrators at Holton. I think that has kept things steady with limited attrition issues for faculty — despite the rocky transition of this HoS.

[Anonymous]

Echoing PP: the Lower School Head at Holton is fantastic and has been in seat for a long time. Great vision, smart, and has a much bigger impact on the division that the HOS.

[Anonymous]

For any independent school, when a new head comes in, turnover increases. This can last just one year or can drag on for three or four. New leadership sets up some changes in culture and procedure, which can mean that the school no longer feels like a good fit to some folks.

[Anonymous]

What are the entry years for Holton? Do they admit in 4th or just 3rd for lower school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Echoing PP: the Lower School Head at Holton is fantastic and has been in seat for a long time. Great vision, smart, and has a much bigger impact on the division that the HOS.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are the entry years for Holton? Do they admit in 4th or just 3rd for lower school?

They admit a handful of girls in 4th. It is considered an entry year.

[Anonymous]

Holton parent here. I believe there has been exactly 1 departure that could be interpreted as a result of HOS changes. There are others that are changing jobs, as would happen in any other year but I wouldn’t read too much into it. For example the MS head has a child in the cathedral schools, so her leaving at the end of the year was not a surprise. The changes that we are seeing in the teaching staff are for the better.

[Anonymous]

Next year will be the true tell about how faculty and staff feel about the new Head. If people have been made unhappy during the course of the year, they’ll spend the summer preparing resumes and putting out feelers so they can hit the job market running and word of people leaving at the end of the 2024-25 year will trickle out throughout the year. And if they’re not unhappy, they won’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS was in public and having good teachers was the luck of the draw. We switched him to private in 4th grade, mainly for smaller classes, balanced curriculum AND the faculty. The difference was night and day. He was engaged, and learning, and happy. Of course smaller classes made a difference but we know it’s mostly because he had some amazing teachers.

To be fair, it’s sometimes the luck of the draw in private schools too. Not as often and there is more a parent can do about it is your kid ends up with a dud, but don’t think it can’t happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Next year will be the true tell about how faculty and staff feel about the new Head. If people have been made unhappy during the course of the year, they’ll spend the summer preparing resumes and putting out feelers so they can hit the job market running and word of people leaving at the end of the 2024-25 year will trickle out throughout the year. And if they’re not unhappy, they won’t.

OP here, PP this is helpful. Not familiar with the independent job market trends but if the 24/25 school year would better reveal the outcomes of the transition that makes sense to me. We would be really unhappy if we have to uproot before high school. So, just trying our best to reduce that possibility.

I do find lots of comfort with the LS head comments. Very much in line with our assessment. Seems to be such an asset.

[Anonymous]

Outside of a few very vocal parents on DCUM the consensus on the new HOS is nowhere near as bad as people would have you believe. There is always an adjustment when a brand new person comes into a job held by a very small handful of people over the 100+ year history of a school. Very few teacher departures overall.

Holton is a well oiled machine with an incredible and vibrant alum base. The girls who go there are bright, engaged, and well-rounded. The average girl and parent really loves the school so try to ignore the DCUM negativity.

[Anonymous]

Lucky day for GDS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lucky day for GDS.

Lower school head is leaving for GDS to be their lower school head. This is a HUGE loss for the school. That’s 2 of 3 division directors (MS and LS). Tell me there isn’t a problem again?