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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

My daughter chose another school, but this is why we wanted private high school. I am a college professor in a science field, and getting to college with solid writing skills is a huge advantage in preparation no matter the field of study.

[Anonymous]

We are facing a similar decision (Holton vs math and science magnet). One thing we do not understand is how the learning specialist is utilized at Holton. Is this for kids that need enrichment? Thanks for any insights.

[Anonymous]

I work in the STEM field and formerly in academia. I beg you, please focus on writing.

[Anonymous]

Don't just look at the curriculum. Are there science fairs and other science competitions such as Chemistry, Biology, and Math Olympiads available at Holton? These things are often not available at privates including Sidwell, unless the kid does them totally on their own. Do they have any connections to summer research internships? Do they have AP classes? All of these things are important for college applications, and all of these things are available at good public schools.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is at Blair SMCS and she told me about a child who came from a private school and is dead weight and cannot keep up at all. I would give it thought.

[Anonymous]

This is what happens when a school offers no acceleration in math in MS. Because everyone takes Algebra I over two years — including the kids who needed more challenge, and the kids for whom Algebra in MS was too much — the kids needing challenge find themselves matched with the kids who need the most help, with the idea that it averages out the learning.

Yes, a high-achieving math kid can play catch up in US. But don’t ignore the damage that two years of boredom in extended Algebra I does to a kid who loves math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are facing a similar decision (Holton vs math and science magnet). One thing we do not understand is how the learning specialist is utilized at Holton. Is this for kids that need enrichment? Thanks for any insights.

Learning specialist offers no enrichment at all. Just for kids who need support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are facing a similar decision (Holton vs math and science magnet). One thing we do not understand is how the learning specialist is utilized at Holton. Is this for kids that need enrichment? Thanks for any insights.

The learning specialist supports students with mild learning disabilities.

[Anonymous]

What is the Holton MS math sequence? -NP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is at Blair SMCS and she told me about a child who came from a private school and is dead weight and cannot keep up at all. I would give it thought.

How is that relevant to OP’s question about Holton?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

OP stated that her DD will be entering in MIDDLE SCHOOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the Holton MS math sequence? -NP

Would love to hear from folks with first hand knowledge of how the Holton MS math sequence works out in practice. Specifically, how are kids that love math met where they are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't just look at the curriculum. Are there science fairs and other science competitions such as Chemistry, Biology, and Math Olympiads available at Holton? These things are often not available at privates including Sidwell, unless the kid does them totally on their own. Do they have any connections to summer research internships? Do they have AP classes? All of these things are important for college applications, and all of these things are available at good public schools.

Holton parent here. My daughter has participated in Math Olympiad since lower school and has regularly attended math meets with other independent schools. Sidwell won the competition because they had the biggest contingent, but Holton had a solid performance

[Anonymous]

I met a recent Holton grad over the weekend at a family event. She is majoring in CS at a good school and most of her friends are in the STEM fields.

We're a current Holton family and chose the school because it is both solid in STEM and writing. The work is challenging for my very bright kid and she has not complained of boredom at school and to be fair, she complains about boredom a lot.

[Anonymous]

For the gifted program in Fairfax public schools, math and science are however your child can handle it. The more he/she is able to comprehend and is able to work or wants to work, he/she can go pretty far by high school. DS started in Fairfax G&T in 5th grade and is now currently in first year AP calculus in junior year of high and taking honors physics. He started out in AP physics his first week of school this year, but decided to take that his senior year once he understand the fundamentals of calculus. The road to get here for him had a lot of speed bumps. We had pushed hard for him to go fast but got to point when he said he really hated math. We eased off and had to let him learn at the right pace to master the material. We have had marvelous science teachers and the math teachers have been patient. Sometimes we should have listened to them more, looking back. We have good after school clubs but only a few go deep with activities (eg. robotics club, environmental club). We want him to pursue a STEM field in college and we're trying to be as encouraging as possible for the remainder of hi time in high.