Tell me about Holton's lower school.

[Anonymous]

I have heard that it is not as challenging as the middle and upper school, and that it might be best to wait to get in in grade 6 or 7 where it gets more intense.

[Anonymous]

I think it is just right. Rich and engaging curriculum that pushes girls to stretch and take academic risk, but not so intense that they can't still be kids. It definitely does ramp up in middle school, which seems appropriate to me.

[Anonymous]

My DD is in lower school and seems pretty decent. You are right that it is not "intense" but should 8 - 11 years olds be under "intense" pressure? I hope no parent believes that. (And having had another DC in AAP program in public that was pretty intense, I am pretty sure DD is getting as good of an education without unnecessary homework and pressure ... you can do that with smaller classes and special resources that private like Holton provides children). Also, I hear, but do not know at this point that the students who are there from LS develop a very special bond with each other by the time they graduate. If you are looking for intensity for your child, there are a lot of options ... online courses through JHU-CTY, AMC8 & 10 math competitions, probably even some college classes they could take a stab at right now online. I don't mean to be facetious, but it seems odd to me that someone would be focusing on wanting their child to have an "intense" school experience, particularly when so many kids are stressed out (have you seen "Race to Nowhere"?)

[Anonymous]

I thought the same thing pp. I found it odd someone would want intense pressures for such a young child. My child started Holton in middle school and it was very pressured. Too many years of high pressure isn't good -- don't get why someone wouldn't want their kid to just be a kid and learn at a nicer pace.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I want the school to be asking more of her than the public schools would ask. I want them to ask her to give 100% and realize that she can do well. We avoided Green Acres because of the lack of rigor. I want most of the hard work to be done in school so that I don't have to supplement at home.

[Anonymous]

OP, a child's 100% is not the same as an adult's. Nor should it be. My DD is doing so much better at Holton than she was at public school, it's amazing. And she wasn't doing badly at public school, and it was an AAP center school. She had a lot more homework from public school, but that is a false measure of anything. She has not that much homework from Holton but has a total love of learning that she is getting from there, so she often spends evenings playing math games on the computer or reading whatever totally cool new book the librarian picked personally for her. You simply do not get that much service from a public school. You should see the art they do -- wow, absolutely blows anything from public school lower grades away. The concerts (everyone has to play an instrument) are thoroughly professional productions and the students are quite great. The head of the lower school, Patrick Bane, is so fabulous and smart about LS education. If you want to measure your child's education by hours spent in tedious or rigid tasks, you won't be happy at Holton. If you want your child to be engaged socially, academically, and artistically (the sports don't really start until later -- that is my DD's one complaint - we have to get that outside school for now), I am convinced that young women cannot do better (I haven't looked at NCS, but have looked at many public and private schools).

[Anonymous]

Fifth and sixth grade teachers will blow you away. Third and 4th are great too, but things really step up in the latter part of lower school. Totally agree with PP about Patrick Bane. He and Susanna Jones are doing amazing things for the school. Really moving it forward without losing it's core.

[Anonymous]

OP again, we are already in a private school that was promised to be challenging. She is no stellar student (but not bad), but I don't think that she is being challenged in the right way. We have considered public school. We might apply to Holton, but if we don't get in, we will go to public shool since I am not overly impressed with what I am getting for the money in this private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fifth and sixth grade teachers will blow you away. Third and 4th are great too, but things really step up in the latter part of lower school. Totally agree with PP about Patrick Bane. He and Susanna Jones are doing amazing things for the school. Really moving it forward without losing it's core.

Completely agree.

[Anonymous]

I taught at a "challenging" private school where lots of homework was the norm, even in elementary school. The kids were burned out by high school. Is your DD happy where she is? Does she seem to enjoy learning?

I would explore the reasons why you think she isn't giving 100%. Lack of motivation and interest could be possibilities. I would suggest you look more at a potential school's philosophy and teaching approach than how much they push students to excel. Also, bear in mind that even the best schools can't force a student to be successful. Each student has to be driven by a love of learning, and some internal motivation to succeed.

[Anonymous]

OP, I heard from a 12th grade mom, whose family was well regarded there that she felt that she wasted her money in the early years. Her attitude was that starting in 6th grade or 7th is reasonable. She mentioned lack of challenge and too much nicey nicey everyone is happy. She also said that math stunk, and they were glad when they got into the older grades.

[Anonymous]

PP truthfully I have had conversations with a number of parents at different schools and most report the same thing about lower school. I think it is lust the way private schools educate their younger students. I am pleased it gets progressively harder and it is not a shock to them in middle school.

[Anonymous]

My DD was certainly not ready for academic "intensity" in 3rd and 4th, but she has become a serious, focused and successful student, now that she is finishing the LS. The gradual ramping up of expectations, homework, independence and responsibility have been just right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD was certainly not ready for academic "intensity" in 3rd and 4th, but she has become a serious, focused and successful student, now that she is finishing the LS. The gradual ramping up of expectations, homework, independence and responsibility have been just right.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I heard from a 12th grade mom, whose family was well regarded there that she felt that she wasted her money in the early years. Her attitude was that starting in 6th grade or 7th is reasonable. She mentioned lack of challenge and too much nicey nicey everyone is happy. She also said that math stunk, and they were glad when they got into the older grades.

The LS has changed since your daughter attended. TheJ program is amazing now with fabulous teachers particularly in fifth and sixth grade. There is a lot of new blood, young teachers with energy and experience who connect with the students. My oldest had a terrible LS experience before Susanna Jones but my youngest wonderful. The new fourth grade teacher is cold but fifth is amazing as is (most of) sixth. Two new excellent teachers in sixth.