What is going on at Holton?

[Anonymous]

23:04 - you say on the one hand that the accusations are specific and not vague, and on the other the school doesn’t share details. I disagree, but since you think they are specific, please share from the post what is specific and not vague about claimed “poor financial decisions”? Likewise, “annual fund is so sad” - both inaccurate on its face, but again, explain the specifics of what is sad about it, since participation and $$ are up? How is this statement not vague and supported by specific information? Final, would love the “specific” details on the “reputation overhaul” that you read that clearly have gone over my head. We look forward to your response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Offered spots at NCS and Holton. Very good schools either way. Holton’s campus and stellar Administration sealed the deal. HoS listens at Holton.

This made me laugh! The administration at Holton does not listen at all. And the HoS is so cold and fake. We once loved this school but don’t anymore. It makes me sad to write that but I have to be honest.

😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So.. most of this argument is about whether kids are allowed to take Geometry in 8th grade or not?

Yes, and only 9 girls were in geometry in 8th grade this year. Nowhere close to the 25% claimed by some on this thread.

What's the big deal? NCS had zero in geometry in 8th. These schools do not accelerate kids in math like the public's do. If you want acceleration, public is the way to go.

That is a false statement. Many of the independent schools, as well as the religious schools do this. Landon does as well. They may have 5-8 kids in a classroom. Why do you suggest public school when parents are looking to get a better education by paying $50k for private school?

Maybe because most public schools are better LOL

We did both, math and science no question. Public rocks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:23:04 - you say on the one hand that the accusations are specific and not vague, and on the other the school doesn’t share details. I disagree, but since you think they are specific, please share from the post what is specific and not vague about claimed “poor financial decisions”? Likewise, “annual fund is so sad” - both inaccurate on its face, but again, explain the specifics of what is sad about it, since participation and $$ are up? How is this statement not vague and supported by specific information? Final, would love the “specific” details on the “reputation overhaul” that you read that clearly have gone over my head. We look forward to your response.

Take a look at the schools Annual Report, CPA certified statements, and other public filings and docs. You will be very upset when you see where $$ are spent. And if you can't find them, you will realize just how un-transparent the school is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:23:04 - you say on the one hand that the accusations are specific and not vague, and on the other the school doesn’t share details. I disagree, but since you think they are specific, please share from the post what is specific and not vague about claimed “poor financial decisions”? Likewise, “annual fund is so sad” - both inaccurate on its face, but again, explain the specifics of what is sad about it, since participation and $$ are up? How is this statement not vague and supported by specific information? Final, would love the “specific” details on the “reputation overhaul” that you read that clearly have gone over my head. We look forward to your response.

Take a look at the schools Annual Report, CPA certified statements, and other public filings and docs. You will be very upset when you see where $$ are spent. And if you can't find them, you will realize just how un-transparent the school is.

How does this address the other questions in the prior post regarding ambiguity? Also, publishing these facts where they can be read is sort of the opposite of not transparent, no? And I have read the report and don’t have the same view. So, onto the other questions that you ignored?

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of boosters on here but there are some real concerns that need to be addressed for those of us who are investing a lot of money in an education that is perceived to be incredible but in reality is just not. Nothing can be done because parents are afraid to speak up and the division heads won’t make any changes. We have two DD at Holton and will be looking elsewhere in the fall. It’s a sad state.

[Anonymous]

You hope that someone reads this from Holton admin and takes a look at what is going on. Many don’t want to leave but want things to change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:23:04 - you say on the one hand that the accusations are specific and not vague, and on the other the school doesn’t share details. I disagree, but since you think they are specific, please share from the post what is specific and not vague about claimed “poor financial decisions”? Likewise, “annual fund is so sad” - both inaccurate on its face, but again, explain the specifics of what is sad about it, since participation and $$ are up? How is this statement not vague and supported by specific information? Final, would love the “specific” details on the “reputation overhaul” that you read that clearly have gone over my head. We look forward to your response.

Take a look at the schools Annual Report, CPA certified statements, and other public filings and docs. You will be very upset when you see where $$ are spent. And if you can't find them, you will realize just how un-transparent the school is.

Since they are a non-profit, their IRS form 990's are public. I have their 990 in front of me. What "smoking gun" should I be looking for? The only ones that stick out to me is on Schedule F they have $11mln invested in Central America/Carribean (my guess is an alum based there gave them a big donation, like upon death); and they issued a revenue bon in 2015 for $21mln to pay for capital projects (Schedule K).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of boosters on here but there are some real concerns that need to be addressed for those of us who are investing a lot of money in an education that is perceived to be incredible but in reality is just not. Nothing can be done because parents are afraid to speak up and the division heads won’t make any changes. We have two DD at Holton and will be looking elsewhere in the fall. It’s a sad state.

I don't have a dog in this fight (DD is at another private) but speaking up is always a good idea. Did you try that and how did it go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So.. most of this argument is about whether kids are allowed to take Geometry in 8th grade or not?

Yes, and only 9 girls were in geometry in 8th grade this year. Nowhere close to the 25% claimed by some on this thread.

What's the big deal? NCS had zero in geometry in 8th. These schools do not accelerate kids in math like the public's do. If you want acceleration, public is the way to go.

That is a false statement. Many of the independent schools, as well as the religious schools do this. Landon does as well. They may have 5-8 kids in a classroom. Why do you suggest public school when parents are looking to get a better education by paying $50k for private school?

Maybe because most public schools are better LOL

We did both, math and science no question. Public rocks.

You are delusional. Your public school kids are a year behind private school kids now. Stop coming into the public school forum to make yourself feel adequate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of boosters on here but there are some real concerns that need to be addressed for those of us who are investing a lot of money in an education that is perceived to be incredible but in reality is just not. Nothing can be done because parents are afraid to speak up and the division heads won’t make any changes. We have two DD at Holton and will be looking elsewhere in the fall. It’s a sad state.

+1000

Same situation and this is exactly how I feel. The bottom line is that I know the school doesn’t care.

I have raised questions about the MS math curriculum changes (one size fits all approach) and just got back talking points that amounted to “we know what we are doing.”

[Anonymous]

Is anyone going to explain why 8th graders are not allowed to take Geometry??? What is the reasoning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone going to explain why 8th graders are not allowed to take Geometry??? What is the reasoning?

Starting this year, all girls (who are now rising 8 graders) are required to take Algebra 1 over two years (7 and 8 grade). The logic is that the two-year course is going to prepare them better for high school.

[Anonymous]

Look, all. There are kids who are truly mathy kids and are able to move quickly with retention and depth of understanding. Those kids are quite rare. Then there are kids who have gone to outside classes like RSM or Dr Li etc, who may know what to do with a certain equation but so t know why, or don’t always remember what they were taught. So algebra at RSM doesn’t necessarily mean they are ready for Geometry then Alg 2 in 9th grade. What is the rush? I suspect Holton knows who the first group is, and handles it accordingly, without the public announcements of “why isn’t MY kid in that class”. And I don’t blame them.

[Anonymous]

^don’t