Holton-Arms vs Public School Gifted & Talented - STEM comparison

[Anonymous]

Our DD, who really enjoys and does well in her STEM subjects, got accepted into Holton, and we're trying to understand how STEM oriented Holton's curriculum is.

We know that Holton has an exceptional curriculum in general, and particularly one that emphasizes writing. We have also noticed graduates lean towards a liberal arts field/career (would welcome thoughts on this).

Looking through Holton's website and this forum, for example, posters have shared that Algebra has been split across two years (typically covered in one year in public school), and the potentially limited STEM course offerings due to class size.

We also know that her local Public School's Gifted & Talented program has a stellar STEM curriculum, but public school tend to have a much weaker writing curriculum.

Can anyone with actual experience in both schools/systems share their insights on the STEM differences (particularly at the HS level)? Perhaps you used to be at public and moved to Holton, or vice versa? And any thoughts on the pursuit of STEM in college/career (should that be her interest) after Holton?

[Anonymous]

One thing I can say is that Holton has ben/used to be the best STEM private school in the area, but not better than the MoCo magnets or the top public schools.

[Anonymous]

What district and grade level - ES, MS or HS? Can't compare otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Our DD is starting MS next year and we had similar questions. We were concerned that she would have to spend two years on Algebra, but after closer research, we learned that she can take a math focused path that gets her to Multi-Variate Calculus or beyond should she desire. The STEM curriculum is robust and rigorous. It's not comparable to TJ and other STEM-focused publics; however, she'll have smaller class sizes and more intimate faculty support that will help her excel in these classes. We also hope that being in an all-girl setting will build her confidence.

For us, we like that our DD can get a great well-rounded experience that includes Arts, Humanities, Athletics, and STEM.

[Anonymous]

Holton messed up the math curriculum in its Middle School. But that should not affect your daughter, who would be coming into HS. The new girls coming into 9th grade can be placed into Algebra 2 honors or Precalc Honors.

More generally, the STEM curriculum is solid for a private school, but it won’t compare with TJ, Blair, etc. Holton has a STEM scholar program during junior and senior years, which includes an internship at a local university during the summer. The girls are well supported and gain a lot of confidence.

My daughter, who is interested in STEM, came from a public school in Fairfax county and is thriving at Holton. No regrets about the transition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What district and grade level - ES, MS or HS? Can't compare otherwise.

OP here, we would like to understand the MS and HS perspective for MOCO and even FCPS. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton messed up the math curriculum in its Middle School. But that should not affect your daughter, who would be coming into HS. The new girls coming into 9th grade can be placed into Algebra 2 honors or Precalc Honors.

More generally, the STEM curriculum is solid for a private school, but it won’t compare with TJ, Blair, etc. Holton has a STEM scholar program during junior and senior years, which includes an internship at a local university during the summer. The girls are well supported and gain a lot of confidence.

My daughter, who is interested in STEM, came from a public school in Fairfax county and is thriving at Holton. No regrets about the transition.

OP here, really appreciate your sharing this perspective! Did your DD join Holton at HS or MS? Our DD will be joining MS and have been reading about the MS math curriculum changes you mentioned. And do you mind sharing the reason for shifting from FCPS to Holton?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DD is starting MS next year and we had similar questions. We were concerned that she would have to spend two years on Algebra, but after closer research, we learned that she can take a math focused path that gets her to Multi-Variate Calculus or beyond should she desire. The STEM curriculum is robust and rigorous. It's not comparable to TJ and other STEM-focused publics; however, she'll have smaller class sizes and more intimate faculty support that will help her excel in these classes. We also hope that being in an all-girl setting will build her confidence.

For us, we like that our DD can get a great well-rounded experience that includes Arts, Humanities, Athletics, and STEM.

OP here. Thanks for sharing this! It's comforting to know we're not the only ones with these questions, and that there is a potential path (if DD were to pursue). The balanced learning experience is one of the main drivers for our consideration of Holton. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holton messed up the math curriculum in its Middle School. But that should not affect your daughter, who would be coming into HS. The new girls coming into 9th grade can be placed into Algebra 2 honors or Precalc Honors.

More generally, the STEM curriculum is solid for a private school, but it won’t compare with TJ, Blair, etc. Holton has a STEM scholar program during junior and senior years, which includes an internship at a local university during the summer. The girls are well supported and gain a lot of confidence.

My daughter, who is interested in STEM, came from a public school in Fairfax county and is thriving at Holton. No regrets about the transition.

OP here, really appreciate your sharing this perspective! Did your DD join Holton at HS or MS? Our DD will be joining MS and have been reading about the MS math curriculum changes you mentioned. And do you mind sharing the reason for shifting from FCPS to Holton?

Class size in FCPS was the main reason we switched to private (in Lower School). My daughter has become much more confident and outspoken at Holton. She was in a GT program in public, but the level of individualized attention does not compare. Also, her writing skills have improved tremendously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton messed up the math curriculum in its Middle School. But that should not affect your daughter, who would be coming into HS. The new girls coming into 9th grade can be placed into Algebra 2 honors or Precalc Honors.

PP with DD starting MS. We were concerned with this as well but upon digging in further and really thinking about it, we came around to Holton's position. Expanding the Algebra curriculum across two years provides students with a solid foundation for more advance math courses later in HS. Holton added more depth to the Algebra courses so it's not like they took a one-year Algebra curriculum and spread it across two years. For the advance math students, this may be a disadvantage during MS but they will accelerate during HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holton messed up the math curriculum in its Middle School. But that should not affect your daughter, who would be coming into HS. The new girls coming into 9th grade can be placed into Algebra 2 honors or Precalc Honors.

PP with DD starting MS. We were concerned with this as well but upon digging in further and really thinking about it, we came around to Holton's position. Expanding the Algebra curriculum across two years provides students with a solid foundation for more advance math courses later in HS. Holton added more depth to the Algebra courses so it's not like they took a one-year Algebra curriculum and spread it across two years. For the advance math students, this may be a disadvantage during MS but they will accelerate during HS.

Glad that you have done the research. The narrative sounds very good. However, this is still an experiment. The other side of it is that geometry, algebra 2 and Precalc get compressed into 2 years (instead of 3) in the integrated math class. The verdict is still out whether the whole approach makes sense. My daughter was incredibly bored in the two algebra 1 classes in MS.

[Anonymous]

Agree that Holton made the wrong move with MS math, but as a previous poster said, your DD should be fine since she’ll enter in HS. My daughter graduated several years ago and majored in engineering in college. She was so well-prepared from her Holton science and math classes. Chemistry, physics and math are particularly strong, and at least several years ago, the girls typically placed very well at the annual chemathon with other local schools. My DD was able to take multivariable calculus senior year - they offered it before school as a joint class with Landon.

[Anonymous]

Most public schools have Algebra for two years. Algebra I for one year and Algebra II for two years.

Which public STEM program? I'm an MCPS parents with kids in STEM programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holton messed up the math curriculum in its Middle School. But that should not affect your daughter, who would be coming into HS. The new girls coming into 9th grade can be placed into Algebra 2 honors or Precalc Honors.

PP with DD starting MS. We were concerned with this as well but upon digging in further and really thinking about it, we came around to Holton's position. Expanding the Algebra curriculum across two years provides students with a solid foundation for more advance math courses later in HS. Holton added more depth to the Algebra courses so it's not like they took a one-year Algebra curriculum and spread it across two years. For the advance math students, this may be a disadvantage during MS but they will accelerate during HS.

Glad that you have done the research. The narrative sounds very good. However, this is still an experiment. The other side of it is that geometry, algebra 2 and Precalc get compressed into 2 years (instead of 3) in the integrated math class. The verdict is still out whether the whole approach makes sense. My daughter was incredibly bored in the two algebra 1 classes in MS.

OP here. This is helpful insight, thank you. Was there an option for your DD to do Algebra (part 2) simultaneously with another math class if she chose to do so? (e.g. Precalc or one of the IM options)?

[Anonymous]

PP here. Algebra 2 cannot be taken simultaneously with another math class (geometry, Precalc).

The more advanced girls who have gone through the MS math curriculum have two main options: 1) take Integrated Math in 9th and 10th grade; 2) place out of geometry, take Algebra 2 honors in 9th grade and Precalc honors in 10th grade. The two tracks “meet” again in 11th grade for Calc honors.

The new girls (who join HS) can get placed into Algebra 2 honors or even Precalc honors in 9th grade.