Why is everyone at Holton-Arms leaving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s 10 high school teachers plus some in other divisions

That’s insanely high. Would assume that’s close to 20% of the upper school faculty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3 are reported leaving... that is hardly a "record number" Calm down. The school is amazing.

It’s 3 in the middle school. US has a lot leaving. My daughter absolutely loves Holton but the number of teachers leaving did feel high this year.

[Anonymous]

People. Just remember that it’s just a school. It’s not like in Harvard the star professors are leaving.

There are enough talented people in dc to fill positions. Plus the people leaving might have very good reasons to leave. Smart teachers move to other jobs because simply they pay more.

[Anonymous]

Some of the departures are retirements. Some, frankly, are teachers families had been complaining about.

Maybe it’s the HOS, maybe it’s not, but DD had a fantastic year despite all the dramatic speculation online.

What’s especially amusing is that one of the teachers leaving is someone many parents previously demanded be “fired.” Back then the outrage was loud and nonstop. Now that the departure no longer supports the anti-HOS narrative, suddenly it’s crickets.

[Anonymous]

I teach at another private and have heard nothing but horror stories about the admin there from friends who teach there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People. Just remember that it’s just a school. It’s not like in Harvard the star professors are leaving.

There are enough talented people in dc to fill positions. Plus the people leaving might have very good reasons to leave. Smart teachers move to other jobs because simply they pay more.

You don't understand private school culture, specifically around teachers. Many private schools have an average faculty tenure of 20 years or more. A generation ago it was double that. Average tenure has declined but it's still quite high in thriving private schools. High faculty turnover/low average length of tenure is the #1 sign of an unhealthy private school.

[Anonymous]

It is sad to see the dismantling of so many great programs at this institution. No question that the HoS is overwhelmed by the task of running the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher at a different private school here - that is major and something is definitely up and the answer always lies with the HOS.

Not always. Sometimes it’s the teachers. Sometimes it’s the parents. Sometimes it’s the board. Sometimes it’s just time to leave.

And “legendary” teachers sometimes come in around the same years, are there a long time, and leave around the same years. It’s called a cycle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher at a different private school here - that is major and something is definitely up and the answer always lies with the HOS.

Not always. Sometimes it’s the teachers. Sometimes it’s the parents. Sometimes it’s the board. Sometimes it’s just time to leave.

And “legendary” teachers sometimes come in around the same years, are there a long time, and leave around the same years. It’s called a cycle.

Haha. No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher at a different private school here - that is major and something is definitely up and the answer always lies with the HOS.

Not always. Sometimes it’s the teachers. Sometimes it’s the parents. Sometimes it’s the board. Sometimes it’s just time to leave.

And “legendary” teachers sometimes come in around the same years, are there a long time, and leave around the same years. It’s called a cycle.

3 years of record-breaking departures, including every division head, head of DEI, academic dean, director of admissions, FOUR directors of communications, and numerous faculty and staff.

Yeah, just a normal cycle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher at a different private school here - that is major and something is definitely up and the answer always lies with the HOS.

Not always. Sometimes it’s the teachers. Sometimes it’s the parents. Sometimes it’s the board. Sometimes it’s just time to leave.

And “legendary” teachers sometimes come in around the same years, are there a long time, and leave around the same years. It’s called a cycle.

3 years of record-breaking departures, including every division head, head of DEI, academic dean, director of admissions, FOUR directors of communications, and numerous faculty and staff.

Yeah, just a normal cycle.

It actually is normal. Statistics show it is common for about 15-25% of people to leave within 3 years of a new head. She came in 2023.

Yeah, just a normal cycle.

[Anonymous]

What statistics? Cite your source.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What statistics? Cite your source.

You might want to do your research with NAIS who keeps these stats.

Tell me, other than yourself and your opinions, what your source is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People. Just remember that it’s just a school. It’s not like in Harvard the star professors are leaving.

There are enough talented people in dc to fill positions. Plus the people leaving might have very good reasons to leave. Smart teachers move to other jobs because simply they pay more.

You don't understand private school culture, specifically around teachers. Many private schools have an average faculty tenure of 20 years or more. A generation ago it was double that. Average tenure has declined but it's still quite high in thriving private schools. High faculty turnover/low average length of tenure is the #1 sign of an unhealthy private school.

That’s not true today. Average tenure is not that high.

https://www.nais.org/careers/teaching-in-independent-schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People. Just remember that it’s just a school. It’s not like in Harvard the star professors are leaving.

There are enough talented people in dc to fill positions. Plus the people leaving might have very good reasons to leave. Smart teachers move to other jobs because simply they pay more.

You don't understand private school culture, specifically around teachers. Many private schools have an average faculty tenure of 20 years or more. A generation ago it was double that. Average tenure has declined but it's still quite high in thriving private schools. High faculty turnover/low average length of tenure is the #1 sign of an unhealthy private school.

That’s not true today. Average tenure is not that high.

https://www.nais.org/careers/teaching-in-independent-schools

This link doesn't prove your point.