Holton Arms v Stone Ridge

[Anonymous]

Know kids at both schools. The lower and middle school at SR is a disaster. Can get a better education at a free public in MoCo and a better social scene. The high school at SR is better because they dilute the dysfunctional girls from the middle school with the normal kids from public schools.
Holton is better academically without a doubt but there is social dysfunction there too. But at least you get a decent education.
Depending on the sport, both Holton and SR have an advantage over the MoCo publics…SR more so than Holton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton has an issue with parents complaining about liberal indoctrination, and the new HOS is taking the side of the crazy parents. It's insane. They are upset even about vocabulary lessons being too woke.

It's the reason why I made that post about avoiding anti-woke book-banning parents. I don't have time to deal with that kinda crazy.

So you’re calling the “crazy parents” the ones who want a more classic traditional progressive education for their children over the new SJW themed progressive education? Lol.

Good for Holton ceasing to go down the misguided woke rabbit hole, hook, line and sinker.

I was always impressed with the number of service academy grads they’ve had in the past too. Them and SJC. That’s diversity of thought, independence and opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Know kids at both schools. The lower and middle school at SR is a disaster. Can get a better education at a free public in MoCo and a better social scene. The high school at SR is better because they dilute the dysfunctional girls from the middle school with the normal kids from public schools.
Holton is better academically without a doubt but there is social dysfunction there too. But at least you get a decent education.
Depending on the sport, both Holton and SR have an advantage over the MoCo publics…SR more so than Holton

Wow, this is not at all our experience with lower or middle school at SR. Our girls loved their time there and the academics were strong. I really have no idea what you mean about the dysfunctional girls and I don’t know that I would have put my girls in a public school in lower or middle for the social scene.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton has an issue with parents complaining about liberal indoctrination, and the new HOS is taking the side of the crazy parents. It's insane. They are upset even about vocabulary lessons being too woke.

It's the reason why I made that post about avoiding anti-woke book-banning parents. I don't have time to deal with that kinda crazy.

Then why did you include Holton in your list of schools you are looking at?

[Anonymous]

Post up the vocab spelling list and let families decide for themselves if that’s how they want their children spending their 6 hours a day at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Post up the vocab spelling list and let families decide for themselves if that’s how they want their children spending their 6 hours a day at school.

What school spends 6 hours a day on vocabulary lists?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Know kids at both schools. The lower and middle school at SR is a disaster. Can get a better education at a free public in MoCo and a better social scene. The high school at SR is better because they dilute the dysfunctional girls from the middle school with the normal kids from public schools.
Holton is better academically without a doubt but there is social dysfunction there too. But at least you get a decent education.
Depending on the sport, both Holton and SR have an advantage over the MoCo publics…SR more so than Holton

So you don’t have a student at either school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton has an issue with parents complaining about liberal indoctrination, and the new HOS is taking the side of the crazy parents. It's insane. They are upset even about vocabulary lessons being too woke.

It's the reason why I made that post about avoiding anti-woke book-banning parents. I don't have time to deal with that kinda crazy.

I don’t understand what you are trying to say.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Actually that’s not correct at SR currently. A lot of fluidity there.

Not much. The cool girls are mostly pretty, skinny and athletic. Deviance is not celebrated.

SR parent here ... I truly hope all kinds of girls are 'cool'. To each their own.

That's not the real world...some people are wealthy and some poor, some are athletic and some not, some are high IQ and some are not...not everyone is cool.

From what I have seen, the benefit of an all girls school is that all kinds of girls feel seen, supported and loved, and can find friendship and fulfillment. I certainly hope that is the message being imparted at Holton and SR.

I think Holton has a more diverse across the board community. SR is very tied up in the country club crowd. Holton has a mix of girls.

Exactly why mine is at SR.

I actually know two parents at Stoneridge that speak openly like this. One admittedly says she did not choose two other well known all girls schools because they are too “diverse.” Her family only associates with other country club and social club families or those that are very very wealthy.

I can tell you that I'm wealthy and mostly hang out with wealthy people. I have no problem with that for my kids.

Wow you really are following the Christian ideology aren't you? Hmm how about judging people based on their character and heart and being inclusive? I wonder how hubby's colleagues would feel about your views? How sad for your kids that you are raising them to be so shallow and unkind.

[Anonymous]

For families that applied to both, did the admissions process deter you one way or another? Was it the right choice? How much is the admissions process a reflection of the school? We are currently looking at both and the experiences have been night and day. Stone Ridge has been way more welcoming, personal, engaging, and responsive.

[Anonymous]

We found Holton’s admissions to be very welcoming when we applied 3 years ago. The lead for that team is a seasoned pro and incredibly thoughtful. She continues to keep up with our daughter’s progress. I also liked that the school seemed so secure in its identity as a school that offered a global education with an eye towards inclusivity. In that regard, it felt warm and welcoming since that was what we were looking for for our DD. The Lower School exceeded our expectations!

Our new Head of School had a rough first year and there has been a lot of turnover at the leadership level as a result. Maybe they are still working out the kinks from that transition? I’m holding my breath a bit to see if/when the chaos she’s rumored to cause impacts my DD’s experience.

Good luck with the search!

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP! How is the interim LS head? Will she likely stay on?

[Anonymous]

I haven’t had interaction with the interim LS head. I’ve only heard good things so far though! The previous LS head was amazing and GDS is lucky to have her. Big shoes to fill.

Truthfully, our family is growing a bit disillusioned with how Holton has been handling this new Head of School transition— too many great teachers and administrators leaving Holton. Today I learned from a friend that the head of upper school is leaving too. Not for a new job. Just leaving to find other opportunities after 30+ years. So that makes all 3 division directors, the DEI director, 2 comms directors, a college counselor, an assortment of advancement staff, at least 2 chorus directors and several beloved teachers and coaches gone since she took the reins. I never thought a new Head would matter so much. I just wish someone would acknowledge the exodus and tell us how they are addressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t had interaction with the interim LS head. I’ve only heard good things so far though! The previous LS head was amazing and GDS is lucky to have her. Big shoes to fill.

Truthfully, our family is growing a bit disillusioned with how Holton has been handling this new Head of School transition— too many great teachers and administrators leaving Holton. Today I learned from a friend that the head of upper school is leaving too. Not for a new job. Just leaving to find other opportunities after 30+ years. So that makes all 3 division directors, the DEI director, 2 comms directors, a college counselor, an assortment of advancement staff, at least 2 chorus directors and several beloved teachers and coaches gone since she took the reins. I never thought a new Head would matter so much. I just wish someone would acknowledge the exodus and tell us how they are addressing.

UGH. This is sad and disappointing. Hoping the board didn't make a bad call with this Head choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t had interaction with the interim LS head. I’ve only heard good things so far though! The previous LS head was amazing and GDS is lucky to have her. Big shoes to fill.

Truthfully, our family is growing a bit disillusioned with how Holton has been handling this new Head of School transition— too many great teachers and administrators leaving Holton. Today I learned from a friend that the head of upper school is leaving too. Not for a new job. Just leaving to find other opportunities after 30+ years. So that makes all 3 division directors, the DEI director, 2 comms directors, a college counselor, an assortment of advancement staff, at least 2 chorus directors and several beloved teachers and coaches gone since she took the reins. I never thought a new Head would matter so much. I just wish someone would acknowledge the exodus and tell us how they are addressing.

UGH. This is sad and disappointing. Hoping the board didn't make a bad call with this Head choice.

When you lose three division heads in less than 12 months, it’s pretty clear it’s a bad decision.