Holton Arms v Stone Ridge

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks all! These are very helpful answers! We’re not Catholic, but I was worried about Holton’s elitist culture (which, to be fair, I have mainly heard about on DCUrbanMom).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD was accepted to both Holton and SR, but chose a different all girls school. Holton was her favorite of the two and her second choice out of five schools. She liked that you could “minor” in art there and take art everyday, if you wanted to. We liked the “vibe of the school” when we visited - all the girls seemed really happy and lively. The admissions team was great and it just felt right. My DD didn’t enjoy her SR shadow day. She felt like the girls she was paired up with were disinterested and not very welcoming. That being said, we know lovely families at both schools. I really think it comes down to how your DD feels at her revisit days. Holton can be more academically demanding/more homework, so that should be a consideration. Good luck!

I'm curious how you know this if your child doesn't go to either school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! These are very helpful answers! We’re not Catholic, but I was worried about Holton’s elitist culture (which, to be fair, I have mainly heard about on DCUrbanMom).

Stone Ridge also can be described as having an "elitist culture," just a different flavor. If I had a non-wealthy, non-Catholic DD, Holton would be my choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I too had different impression and thought Holton felt more well-rounded and classrooms/sports facilities were nicer than SR (though the new cafeteria at SR is awesome).

I also love the “find a way or make one” ideal. But understand how girls could be drawn to the sacred heart tradition at SR.

Just goes to show, to each their own.

Honestly, what is the sacred heart tradition? I am a Catholic and should probably know...
I get that it's a consortium of schools, but what traditions would be a draw??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! These are very helpful answers! We’re not Catholic, but I was worried about Holton’s elitist culture (which, to be fair, I have mainly heard about on DCUrbanMom).

We are in our 6th year at Holton and I really don’t think you need to worry about the elitist culture. Of course there are super wealthy families but also plenty of other families like us who just prioritize education and give up big houses/vacations etc to make tuition payments. I have experience at other privates and I wouldn’t call Holton elitist compared to others I’ve sent my kids to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD was accepted to both Holton and SR, but chose a different all girls school. Holton was her favorite of the two and her second choice out of five schools. She liked that you could “minor” in art there and take art everyday, if you wanted to. We liked the “vibe of the school” when we visited - all the girls seemed really happy and lively. The admissions team was great and it just felt right. My DD didn’t enjoy her SR shadow day. She felt like the girls she was paired up with were disinterested and not very welcoming. That being said, we know lovely families at both schools. I really think it comes down to how your DD feels at her revisit days. Holton can be more academically demanding/more homework, so that should be a consideration. Good luck!

Your daughter sounds discerning. What was her first choice? Good on you for supporting her. The same things happened to our son on a visiting day and it really put him off. My sense is it was just who he happened to be paired with, so we could have done a revisit but he'd already moved on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too had different impression and thought Holton felt more well-rounded and classrooms/sports facilities were nicer than SR (though the new cafeteria at SR is awesome).

I also love the “find a way or make one” ideal. But understand how girls could be drawn to the sacred heart tradition at SR.

Just goes to show, to each their own.

Honestly, what is the sacred heart tradition? I am a Catholic and should probably know...
I get that it's a consortium of schools, but what traditions would be a draw??

Sacred Heart is a global network of schools started by a young Catholic French girl, Sophie Barat, in the early 19th century. Sacred Heart schools educated women, regardless of class, long before it was socially acceptable to do so. There is a lot of tradition surrounding Saint Sophie Barat (you can visit a shrine in Paris) and many girls feel connected to the empowerment of women and the pioneering nature of her teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too had different impression and thought Holton felt more well-rounded and classrooms/sports facilities were nicer than SR (though the new cafeteria at SR is awesome).

I also love the “find a way or make one” ideal. But understand how girls could be drawn to the sacred heart tradition at SR.

Just goes to show, to each their own.

Honestly, what is the sacred heart tradition? I am a Catholic and should probably know...
I get that it's a consortium of schools, but what traditions would be a draw??

Sacred Heart is a global network of schools started by a young Catholic French girl, Sophie Barat, in the early 19th century. Sacred Heart schools educated women, regardless of class, long before it was socially acceptable to do so. There is a lot of tradition surrounding Saint Sophie Barat (you can visit a shrine in Paris) and many girls feel connected to the empowerment of women and the pioneering nature of her teaching.

Thank you for explaining that!

[Anonymous]

First, some people admitted already know by now -- they made calls this morning.

We've had daughters at both schools. You can't go wrong with either. SR is Catholic and a bit more traditional (but religion is not as strong as at a typical parochial school). For example, the lower school had father-daughter dance a few weeks ago, and the school has father-daughter field day in June. They also have mother-daughter events.

Holton would never have such a "traditional role" type of event. They do have a field day in the fall, for all parents.

Campus-wise, I like the layout of SR better (post renovation with the new Mater Center), as Holton feels more "in the woods" but that's really a preference. Do note that due to SR's size, they don't have tennis courts or track and field on campus, while Holton does. If your DD is into those sports, it may be a consideration. Both have swimming pools and the usual fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey.

[Anonymous]

Our daughter goes to Holton and we are not on FA, but definitely not in the uber wealthy set either. My daughter has made a very nice group of friends who are pretty down to earth. They will socialize by hanging out at someones house, walking around the mall, going to movies, etc. Having a uniform definitely keeps school attire more equalized which is nice. Free dress days are super casual (sweatpants and t-shirts). Also nice that food (breakfast and lunch) are included in tuition. Everyone eats in the cafeteria--no one goes out to lunch until Senior year.

With that said, there are some very very wealthy families that do a lot of extensive traveling, drive expensive cars, have huge homes, etc. Definitely not everyone is like that, but it's definitely there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD was accepted to both Holton and SR, but chose a different all girls school. Holton was her favorite of the two and her second choice out of five schools. She liked that you could “minor” in art there and take art everyday, if you wanted to. We liked the “vibe of the school” when we visited - all the girls seemed really happy and lively. The admissions team was great and it just felt right. My DD didn’t enjoy her SR shadow day. She felt like the girls she was paired up with were disinterested and not very welcoming. That being said, we know lovely families at both schools. I really think it comes down to how your DD feels at her revisit days. Holton can be more academically demanding/more homework, so that should be a consideration. Good luck!

I'm curious how you know this if your child doesn't go to either school?

Because we have friends at both schools.

[Anonymous]

Just to correct a previous post, Holton has significant community service requirements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too had different impression and thought Holton felt more well-rounded and classrooms/sports facilities were nicer than SR (though the new cafeteria at SR is awesome).

I also love the “find a way or make one” ideal. But understand how girls could be drawn to the sacred heart tradition at SR.

Just goes to show, to each their own.

Honestly, what is the sacred heart tradition? I am a Catholic and should probably know...
I get that it's a consortium of schools, but what traditions would be a draw??

Sacred Heart is a global network of schools started by a young Catholic French girl, Sophie Barat, in the early 19th century. Sacred Heart schools educated women, regardless of class, long before it was socially acceptable to do so. There is a lot of tradition surrounding Saint Sophie Barat (you can visit a shrine in Paris) and many girls feel connected to the empowerment of women and the pioneering nature of her teaching.

Very random question but it is a Sacred Heart thing to have the girls curtsey to the Head of School/Principle in greeting every morning or just a Sacred Heart NYC thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too had different impression and thought Holton felt more well-rounded and classrooms/sports facilities were nicer than SR (though the new cafeteria at SR is awesome).

I also love the “find a way or make one” ideal. But understand how girls could be drawn to the sacred heart tradition at SR.

Just goes to show, to each their own.

Honestly, what is the sacred heart tradition? I am a Catholic and should probably know...
I get that it's a consortium of schools, but what traditions would be a draw??

Sacred Heart is a global network of schools started by a young Catholic French girl, Sophie Barat, in the early 19th century. Sacred Heart schools educated women, regardless of class, long before it was socially acceptable to do so. There is a lot of tradition surrounding Saint Sophie Barat (you can visit a shrine in Paris) and many girls feel connected to the empowerment of women and the pioneering nature of her teaching.

Very random question but it is a Sacred Heart thing to have the girls curtsey to the Head of School/Principle in greeting every morning or just a Sacred Heart NYC thing?

I would like to know more about the 'culture' + traditions as well. I posted an earlier question about clubs--I saw someone describe them as something like sororities, which I was curious about. Also, are there exchange programs with other Sacred Hearts or schools in general?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too had different impression and thought Holton felt more well-rounded and classrooms/sports facilities were nicer than SR (though the new cafeteria at SR is awesome).

I also love the “find a way or make one” ideal. But understand how girls could be drawn to the sacred heart tradition at SR.

Just goes to show, to each their own.

Honestly, what is the sacred heart tradition? I am a Catholic and should probably know...
I get that it's a consortium of schools, but what traditions would be a draw??

Sacred Heart is a global network of schools started by a young Catholic French girl, Sophie Barat, in the early 19th century. Sacred Heart schools educated women, regardless of class, long before it was socially acceptable to do so. There is a lot of tradition surrounding Saint Sophie Barat (you can visit a shrine in Paris) and many girls feel connected to the empowerment of women and the pioneering nature of her teaching.

Very random question but it is a Sacred Heart thing to have the girls curtsey to the Head of School/Principle in greeting every morning or just a Sacred Heart NYC thing?

I asked DD who is at SR and she got a good laugh at that. She said they just say "Hello Ms. Karrels" when the HOS walks by.