Holton v. NCS
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Anonymous
Despite NCS's technical religious affiliation, it's really not at all religious. The girls go to a 50 minute "service" every 7 school days, but the services are not really typical preaching, they're more speeches and personal stories relating to themes of kindness, growth, family, and other broad themes. There is also a 30 minute chapel every 7 school days (not the same day), but those are even less Christian, and are lead sometimes by the Jewish/Muslim/Hindu/other religious affinity groups (so some chapel services have quotes from the Rig Veda, Qur'an, Torah, etc). Most of the students are not very religious, and the students who are are very varied in their traditions. |
Anonymous
| More alike than different. Hilton feels isolated and suburban to me. |
Anonymous
| Neither is a fun school. Unless your kid is Ivy bound, go someplace easier. |
Anonymous
I disagree with this. We have a child at Holton. It’s a fun school with a lot of spirit. Girls go to all different types of colleges and there is a huge range of activities from arts, to sports, to all sorts of academic clubs. |
Anonymous
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We have two daughters at Holton. We live closer to NCS but wanted a truly non-religious experience (we are not Christian and I wasn’t comfortable with any religious affiliation). Our daughters take the bus and it’s very easy. I LOVE never having to deal with drop off. The bus might be one of my favorite parts of Holton.
Like ALL privates, there is a true range of parents — from literal billionaires to girls who take a bus two hours from way out Maryland just to get to school. At least for our daughters, they hang out with a range of kids and we have found some really great parent friends. The campus is gorgeous and the teachers are excellent. We are very happy with our choice. There are tons of Holton/St Albans brother/sister combos. Might be a good idea to talk to some of them as to why they chose Holton over NCS for their daughters. |
Anonymous
There are tons of every school combo at every private school. |
Anonymous
| In our experience, Holton is easier to get into, more suburban and secluded. My child liked being in the city, able to see other schools and having boys in school later. The religious education at NCs is focused on learning about religions. I’m not religious and do not believe but I do think basic knowledge is necessary for academic understanding. I hear good things about HA, but I do think there’s some odd stuff with the culture and the skirts and the whole special thing. It feels more like a rich girl sorority school to me. NCS feels like a more serious school. Just my honest opinion. And I know I know the national merit scholars… |
Anonymous
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Both good schools, we picked Holton over NCS for our child. Kiddo is less competitive and more collaborative and Holton just felt like a perfect fit. We are in our 5th year at the school and are happy. My focus is on how my child is faring as opposed to the changes and perceived turmoil at the school, and she is doing well and thriving.
When I disclosed to our village 5+ years ago that we selected Holton over NCS despite NCS being higher in the "rankings" at the time, both a therapist friend and a SAT tutor friend lauded the decision. The feeling was that NCS had a massive pressure cooker environment. May be perfectly fine and even preferred for some kids, but just not the right place for my girl. |