Is Holton still a good option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why these threads always get derailed, but we are a current Holton family in the lower school. We have really loved our experience and our social, quirky, nerdy DD really found her people and feels comfortable at Holton. She gets lots of individualized attention and is challenged in both math and reading. The teachers are amazing and the entire place feels very calm and inclusive. I was a bit skeptical of all the Holton traditions, but they do a good job of building community.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton is an incredible school with top notch teachers and staff dedicated to girls’ education. My DD has had wonderful classroom and extracurricular experiences there. Holton is still a good option. There has been a palpable cultural shift in the last few years however. What was once a warm and almost family like atmosphere has shifted and now feels more corporate and cold. Many traditions have changed and my DD and her friends are truly saddened by it. They don’t feel like they are getting the experience they anticipated when they enrolled. I’m hopeful that this administration will move on and let the community rebuild. Happy Birthday Holton is a telling example of a beloved, fun and student focused tradition that was abandoned for what felt to my DD and her friends like a cash grab. My understanding is that the Board is blindly loyal to Ms Evins so it’s unclear if they will ever act on what is clearly problematic leadership

+1

[Anonymous]

“My understanding is that the Board is blindly loyal to Ms Evins so it’s unclear if they will ever act on what is clearly problematic leadership”

This is 100% correct. Great school, and Penny is beyond horrible. Let’s all cross our fingers that the senior class doesn’t come up with a way to get Evins fired (they already call her yanking on a student’s arm “grab-gate”).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interested in insights from parents of current Holton kids or very recent grads.

My girl is at Norwood. We’re a few years away from HS applications, but I’ve always thought Holton could be great for her.

She’s artsy but also loves math. Social and a little quirky. Good student.

But now I’m seeing all these posts about there being issues.

Is Holton still a good option?

Does anyone know if Holton is expanding and will admit more students? If so, starting from when?

[Anonymous]

Current Holton family. We understand that they are working to expand the school by about two hundred students, but the paperwork wasn't done correctly this year so it should be another year before they can push that through.

The school has not communicated anything with current families about these plans, but the zoning hearing materials are public: https://noholtonexpansion.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current Holton family. We understand that they are working to expand the school by about two hundred students, but the paperwork wasn't done correctly this year so it should be another year before they can push that through.

The school has not communicated anything with current families about these plans, but the zoning hearing materials are public: https://noholtonexpansion.com/

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

As far as I can tell, they are not trying to increase school enrollment. The focus seems to be the summer camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As far as I can tell, they are not trying to increase school enrollment. The focus seems to be the summer camp.

I hope this is true because I don’t really see where an additional 200 students would fit during the school year.

[Anonymous]

The proposal specifically calls for an increase in
enrollment cap from 665 to 870 students.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OZAH/Resources/Files/pdf/2025/Hearings/CBA1174E/Exhibit-45-Holton-Arms-School-staff-report(1).pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The proposal specifically calls for an increase in
enrollment cap from 665 to 870 students.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OZAH/Resources/Files/pdf/2025/Hearings/CBA1174E/Exhibit-45-Holton-Arms-School-staff-report(1).pdf

Yes, it is also in the previous link.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As far as I can tell, they are not trying to increase school enrollment. The focus seems to be the summer camp.

Both: school and camp, PLUS rentals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As far as I can tell, they are not trying to increase school enrollment. The focus seems to be the summer camp.

It’s both:
https://www.holton-arms.edu/about/specialexception

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As far as I can tell, they are not trying to increase school enrollment. The focus seems to be the summer camp.

It’s both:
https://www.holton-arms.edu/about/specialexception

How will it change the school culture and student and faculty experience?

[Anonymous]

Holton is an amazing school, but the wrong leadership will sink it. Do listen to what is happening. Getting rid of every administrator and as many tenured teachers as possible so there is no institutional history is dangerous. Holton continues to be an amazing school not because of its leadership but in spite of it. Beware. Pay attention and protect our school. Once reputation is lost it is very hard to get it back.