Questions about Holton

[Anonymous]

My DD is at one of the feeder schools to Holton, and we plan to apply for third grade next year. We plan to go there from 3-8, then switch to public HS. (I want her in the co-ed environment prior to college, plus we might need the money). We will not be applying to any other private schools, so if we don't get in, it will be public school..
I have a few questions about the school.
First, if she plays an instrument, can instruction be completed during the school day? That way, we don't have run around after school.
If she has a sport that she does well, can she focus on that during PE so again, less time after school on our part.
The meals are apparently included in the tuition, but how much variety is there for people with dietary restrictions?

TIA

[Anonymous]

There is no sports focus in the 3-6 grades, I believe (could find out from website), so your budding Olympian is out of luck there. There are musical instruments played starting in 3d grade, including a private lesson right after school every week, so that fits in the schedule easily. The menu available every day is wide-ranging and would probably accommodate anyone except people with such allergies or preferences that they really need to bring their own food.

[Anonymous]

That pp doesn't have a kid at Holton. While there are no formal teams until 7th grade...there are plenty of sports opportunities for the younger gals.

But, I would say pp to reconsider sending the DC for 3-8 and think of public for those years and then private for high school. Holton has much better college placement than the vast majority of private and public schools in the Greater DC area.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. FWIW, I went to an all girls school and think the high school years are more important than grade school for leadership, etc.

[Anonymous]

The website will give you a good overview of the curriculum requirements and opportunities for athletics and for music.

Holton Middle school starts in 7th grade so any interscholastic team opportunity does not start till then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The website will give you a good overview of the curriculum requirements and opportunities for athletics and for music.

Holton Middle school starts in 7th grade so any interscholastic team opportunity does not start till then.

OP here, Thank you, I could not get all the information I needed from the web site. I preferred not to ask too many silly questions up front to admissions while we are applying.
I am just very much into healthy eating and most cafeteria meals don't work for us. But I thought that the tuition includes food, so if the food is not what I would want, it would be a bit of a waste if there was no way to get a discount if we don't use it.
WRT HS vs elementary school, I am not overly concerned with college placement. I think that we will be fine in the Whitman district, and I would be satisfied with UMD, a fine school. The coed exposure is more important to me in HS, and dd does not appear to have confidence issues.
The sports issue is fine if they let you choose by 7th grade. Sorry to offend the other pp, we do not have a budding Olympian.

[Anonymous]

Not the OP...Does anyone know if Holton serves organic food? I have heard a number of schools have made the switch.

[Anonymous]

No the food was always the sore spot for us. My DC had to bring her own food.

[Anonymous]

Holton is superior for the right girl. I would save your money OP. If you'll be happy with UMD, as you say, most Whitman kids end up there anyway. So don't waste your money on 6 years of private at Holton. Holton is for people with much higher aspirations/ambitions.

[Anonymous]

Wow
Do not expect a school to meet your childs every need

[Anonymous]

Holton Admissions people are really very good at determining which girls will thrive there. OP doesn't sound like the sort of person who is picking a school for the right fit. Maybe her DC however would fit in there...as long as mama doesn't hover too closeby.

[Anonymous]

If you might need the money later on, instead of Holton for grade school and public for high school, do the reverse.

[Anonymous]

yup...several people have written that thanks

[Anonymous]

OP here, the money thing is not the biggest deal, neither is Harvard. I just want coed in HS, no more to explain there. If dd gets into Harvard, that is fine too. I think that dd needs a good academic foundation now.

[Anonymous]

You are quite presumptuous pp to think your kid will necessarily be admitted to Holton. The most difficult entry year is third grade...there are fewer spots. Unless your kid is a legacy or URM...good luck getting in. And not just any legacy...one who has been involved with the school through participation and support.