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Holton v. NCS
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Anonymous
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I love DCUM, but the Private/Independent School forum is insane. With all my lurking, I suppose I've developed into a member of that club.
It's probably too early to be gearing up for the admissions madness for the 2009-2010 school year, but as I said, I'm now certifiable. My DD will be entering 4th grade in 2009-2010. We have found the Montgomery County public school system to be good, but the lure of private schools is a strong one. We live in close-in Bethesda, just as close to NCS as we are to Holton. I've been told that Holton is to NCS as Landon is to St. Albans. I'm really not exactly sure what that's supposed to mean, apart from the fact that they are all single-sex schools and considered to be elite, though at times I do get the sense that the Cathedral schools are considered a notch above. Though I've found it noteworhty that Holton seems to get little mention in this forum, while NCS does seem to take up quite a bit of room in cyberspace, usually not so good, even horrible, press, dwelling on the alleged snobbery and mean spiritedness of the place. So, please, apart from the fact that you will be feeding my mania, and all others out there, compare and contrast Holton and NCS. Thank you (I think). Certifiable Bethesda M |
Anonymous
| Academics at Holton may be a teeny bit better than NCS. |
Anonymous
Do you mean from a rigor stand point, or from a delivery and quality of teaching stand point? |
Anonymous
I can't speak to the rigor issue, but I have heard that Holton is competitive and expects a lot from it's students. It has (probably the best in the DC area) a good college placement history. Lots go onto the best schools. Each school has it's share of social issues. Single gender was not a consideration for us. |
Anonymous
| Do they interact with the Landon boys (a la NCS-St. Albans)? |
Anonymous
| Yes. |
Anonymous
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Holton and NCS are both excellent schools with rigorous academics, very strong athletics, and of course great college acceptance records--the Cathedral schools seem to get a bad rap on this board but really, NCS is a wonderful place. In the early years, Holton is definitely more nurturing--although NCS' Lower School is definitely working on it. Socially, I truly believe that girls are girls and there can be cliques and snobs just about anywhere. Holton is a bit more suburban, more of a "country club" whereas NCS is more urban.
As for interaction with boys, with both schools it doesn't start until around 7th grade. You will get a good feel for each school on the tour. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Interesting.. I have frequently wondered about this. I have a young daughter (4) and we are starting her in a co-ed indep school next year, our first choice school for now. I am a big fan of single sex for later years and have lots of friends who went to both HA and NCS. Both reps are great and so, naturally, I am interested in them both for her. I have always heard the opposite of the above poster - that NCS is slightly better academically - and more of a pressure cooker. I have heard the suburban country club v. in-town comparison before. I have also heard that Holton girls are more clothes and money aware and less intellectual but, if you get a good year, it is wonderful. Obviously its all so subjective and largely gossip. I wish more current parents would post.. |
Anonymous
| I think that Holton gets the best IVY placements of any private school in the DC area (not Sidwell). That is where the academic rep comes from. |
Anonymous
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Really?
Meanwhile, the first batch of National Merit finalists were just announced for this year. Sidwell and NCS and -- a school that is never, ever mentioned here -- Georgetown Visitation were represented heavily. |
Anonymous
CAUTION: Any attempt to compare high schools on the basis of numbers of Merit Scholarship winners will lead to erroneous and unsound conclusions. The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The program does not measure the quality or effectiveness of education within a school, system, or state. The above post comes directly from the National Merit website. |
Anonymous
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True, and the original post is seeking a direct comparison between two schools. And the National Merit people warn that their data ought not be used to compare schools.
However it IS fair to conclude that several really, really bright individuals, namely, National Merit scholars, happen to attend (this year) Sidwell, NCS and Georgetown Visitation. These kids could've sprung from the womb with that innate intellect and the schools could've had nothing to do with polishing that intellect, that is possible. |
Anonymous
| OP, I will say that I do know a number of girls who were not happy at both schools. That said I know some that were happy there. But these two schools have had a greater share of unhappy kids than some others. |
Anonymous
| Actually, I have heard fantastic things about GV. My reservation is that it is Catholic. I would be very unlikely to send any child to a Catholic school. My experience has been that they are usually sub-par both academically and socially (i.e., teaching values I believe in). I know there are exceptions but, I also do not agree with many of the teachings of the Catholic church and fail to see how this would not translate to a school, regardless of how "good" it is. (Full disclosure: I am an ex-Catholic, baptized and confirmed, raised by parents of whom 1 was Catholic but no longer goes to Mass and 1 protestant who has never been an active adult member of any church. I am currently an active member of a protestant church which I was formally "received" into several years ago). So, what do you all know about how GV teaches and informs? How much of a presence does the Catholic church maintain? What percentage of students are Catholic? |
Anonymous
| I went to Visitation and I would say the majority of students were Catholic at that time. As far as academics, I thought they were excellent (and, FWIW I went to an ivy league college). |