Holton v. NCS

[Anonymous]

Applying DD for 7th. The schools are similar distances from our home. What are the most significant differences in academics, student well-being, parent community, staff/admin? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Here are my observations:
- Both have excellent academics, with NCS having the edge in liberal arts (especially writing) and Holton the edge in math/science/technology.
- Holton is non-denominational; NCS is not. NCS students attend 2x weekly services in the chapel or cathedral, and MS and US curriculum include at least two theology classes (although these aren't indoctrination; they can be a study of world religions, seminar on the Middle East, etc.).
- Holton is slightly less cut-throat than NCS. Both have a boatload of homework (2-4 hours) in HS.
- Both do a good job with diversity, but NCS has a more diverse student population. Holton is starting to trend whiter and more conservative than NCS under new admin, but numbers are still solid.
- Holton has the edge on athletics in most sports.
- NCS interacts with STA more than Holton interacts with Landon. Depending on your child's interests, 2-3 of her classes may be co-ed junior and senior year.
- Campuses are totally different but both beautiful.
- Both have excellent outplacement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here are my observations:
- Both have excellent academics, with NCS having the edge in liberal arts (especially writing) and Holton the edge in math/science/technology.
- Holton is non-denominational; NCS is not. NCS students attend 2x weekly services in the chapel or cathedral, and MS and US curriculum include at least two theology classes (although these aren't indoctrination; they can be a study of world religions, seminar on the Middle East, etc.).
- Holton is slightly less cut-throat than NCS. Both have a boatload of homework (2-4 hours) in HS.
- Both do a good job with diversity, but NCS has a more diverse student population. Holton is starting to trend whiter and more conservative than NCS under new admin, but numbers are still solid.
- Holton has the edge on athletics in most sports.
- NCS interacts with STA more than Holton interacts with Landon. Depending on your child's interests, 2-3 of her classes may be co-ed junior and senior year.
- Campuses are totally different but both beautiful.
- Both have excellent outplacement.

During the tour, I actually saw more mixed-race asian students in Holton. But maybe it is biased.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here are my observations:
- Both have excellent academics, with NCS having the edge in liberal arts (especially writing) and Holton the edge in math/science/technology.
- Holton is non-denominational; NCS is not. NCS students attend 2x weekly services in the chapel or cathedral, and MS and US curriculum include at least two theology classes (although these aren't indoctrination; they can be a study of world religions, seminar on the Middle East, etc.).
- Holton is slightly less cut-throat than NCS. Both have a boatload of homework (2-4 hours) in HS.
- Both do a good job with diversity, but NCS has a more diverse student population. Holton is starting to trend whiter and more conservative than NCS under new admin, but numbers are still solid.
- Holton has the edge on athletics in most sports.
- NCS interacts with STA more than Holton interacts with Landon. Depending on your child's interests, 2-3 of her classes may be co-ed junior and senior year.
- Campuses are totally different but both beautiful.
- Both have excellent outplacement.

Can anyone describe the difference in family community? Conservative? Warmth? Inclusive?

[Anonymous]

A few more:
- Holton has uniforms all the way through high school; NCS's uniforms stop after MS.
- Parent community is obscenely wealthy at both. Major pressure in MS to start using tutors (not just for remediation but for enrichment) and in HS to use college consultants.
- Holton has bus option; NCS does not. Due to location, NCS HS students leave campus more often for dining/coffee.

One huge factor, and I don't know how this one falls for you: whether your class has bullying/mean girl issues is entirely dependent on the grade. Would love to hear insights into the current state of various LS/MS classes in that regard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are my observations:
- Both have excellent academics, with NCS having the edge in liberal arts (especially writing) and Holton the edge in math/science/technology.
- Holton is non-denominational; NCS is not. NCS students attend 2x weekly services in the chapel or cathedral, and MS and US curriculum include at least two theology classes (although these aren't indoctrination; they can be a study of world religions, seminar on the Middle East, etc.).
- Holton is slightly less cut-throat than NCS. Both have a boatload of homework (2-4 hours) in HS.
- Both do a good job with diversity, but NCS has a more diverse student population. Holton is starting to trend whiter and more conservative than NCS under new admin, but numbers are still solid.
- Holton has the edge on athletics in most sports.
- NCS interacts with STA more than Holton interacts with Landon. Depending on your child's interests, 2-3 of her classes may be co-ed junior and senior year.
- Campuses are totally different but both beautiful.
- Both have excellent outplacement.

During the tour, I actually saw more mixed-race asian students in Holton. But maybe it is biased.

Same. I noticed more asian american students at Holton and more black students at NCS. Not sure which school has the edge on socio-economic diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are my observations:
- Both have excellent academics, with NCS having the edge in liberal arts (especially writing) and Holton the edge in math/science/technology.
- Holton is non-denominational; NCS is not. NCS students attend 2x weekly services in the chapel or cathedral, and MS and US curriculum include at least two theology classes (although these aren't indoctrination; they can be a study of world religions, seminar on the Middle East, etc.).
- Holton is slightly less cut-throat than NCS. Both have a boatload of homework (2-4 hours) in HS.
- Both do a good job with diversity, but NCS has a more diverse student population. Holton is starting to trend whiter and more conservative than NCS under new admin, but numbers are still solid.
- Holton has the edge on athletics in most sports.
- NCS interacts with STA more than Holton interacts with Landon. Depending on your child's interests, 2-3 of her classes may be co-ed junior and senior year.
- Campuses are totally different but both beautiful.
- Both have excellent outplacement.

During the tour, I actually saw more mixed-race asian students in Holton. But maybe it is biased.

Same. I noticed more asian american students at Holton and more black students at NCS. Not sure which school has the edge on socio-economic diversity.

NCS feels more urban fancy for me. The parents who like the cathedral all dressed up religious ceremony make-you-feel-like-an-VIP vibe. Also, in Open City cafe, so many grandparents, au pairs with the kids, no real parents. But I think these are from Beauvoir. I think Beauvoir is the most Bourgeoisie school in DC, full of rich white people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are my observations:
- Both have excellent academics, with NCS having the edge in liberal arts (especially writing) and Holton the edge in math/science/technology.
- Holton is non-denominational; NCS is not. NCS students attend 2x weekly services in the chapel or cathedral, and MS and US curriculum include at least two theology classes (although these aren't indoctrination; they can be a study of world religions, seminar on the Middle East, etc.).
- Holton is slightly less cut-throat than NCS. Both have a boatload of homework (2-4 hours) in HS.
- Both do a good job with diversity, but NCS has a more diverse student population. Holton is starting to trend whiter and more conservative than NCS under new admin, but numbers are still solid.
- Holton has the edge on athletics in most sports.
- NCS interacts with STA more than Holton interacts with Landon. Depending on your child's interests, 2-3 of her classes may be co-ed junior and senior year.
- Campuses are totally different but both beautiful.
- Both have excellent outplacement.

During the tour, I actually saw more mixed-race asian students in Holton. But maybe it is biased.

Same. I noticed more asian american students at Holton and more black students at NCS. Not sure which school has the edge on socio-economic diversity.

It is because many Asian Families live in the Potomac/rockville. The old money part of DC has less of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A few more:
- Holton has uniforms all the way through high school; NCS's uniforms stop after MS.
- Parent community is obscenely wealthy at both. Major pressure in MS to start using tutors (not just for remediation but for enrichment) and in HS to use college consultants.
- Holton has bus option; NCS does not. Due to location, NCS HS students leave campus more often for dining/coffee.

One huge factor, and I don't know how this one falls for you: whether your class has bullying/mean girl issues is entirely dependent on the grade. Would love to hear insights into the current state of various LS/MS classes in that regard.

Is this new? NCS used to only have uniforms for LS (4-6).

[Anonymous]

Both have excellent teachers and excellent college placements. For me, the religious vs. non-religious factor is huge.

[Anonymous]

Holton has more trolls on DCUM than NCS. Not sure if that's a factor, but it just means you'll read it being put down more often on here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton has more trolls on DCUM than NCS. Not sure if that's a factor, but it just means you'll read it being put down more often on here.

Eh, that goes in cycles if you’re here long enough. A couple years ago, NCS bashing was all the rage. I’m sure it will come around again.

[Anonymous]

Our daughter was new to Holton for 9th grade. We have found the community very welcoming, easy and unpretentious. Appreciate how Holton and the parents’ groups hold events regularly and everyone genuinely seems friendly and open to conversation. Often find ourselves engaged in really interesting conversations with the parents of girls that we don’t know - and that probably our daughter doesn’t know - but everyone genuinely seems receptive and friendly.

[Anonymous]

Know a family with twins and one went to NCS and other to Holton. The family chose Hokton for younger sibling...they are a nice family with bright kids and clearly preferred Holton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A few more:
- Holton has uniforms all the way through high school; NCS's uniforms stop after MS.
- Parent community is obscenely wealthy at both. Major pressure in MS to start using tutors (not just for remediation but for enrichment) and in HS to use college consultants.
- Holton has bus option; NCS does not. Due to location, NCS HS students leave campus more often for dining/coffee.

One huge factor, and I don't know how this one falls for you: whether your class has bullying/mean girl issues is entirely dependent on the grade. Would love to hear insights into the current state of various LS/MS classes in that regard.

NCS's uniforms actually stop after 6th grade/lower school, and in HS there are school provided college counselors (who all worked on college admissions boards) so it is rare for the girls to get outside college advisors. NCS students are not allowed off campus until 2nd semester of senior year (provided they've completed their service requirement), so most do not leave campus for dining, although it's not unheard of. (Many girls frequent Open City, but it's considered on-campus).