Holton Arms v Stone Ridge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! These are very helpful answers! We’re not Catholic, but I was worried about Holton’s elitist culture (which, to be fair, I have mainly heard about on DCUrbanMom).

Stone Ridge also can be described as having an "elitist culture," just a different flavor. If I had a non-wealthy, non-Catholic DD, Holton would be my choice.

I respectfully disagree. We are non-wealthy and non-catholic, and my DD is a first generation American. She joined SR from a public school two years ago. It's been a fantastic experience for her. Its a great community with a strong sense of value; not the phony value progressive schools preach and lecture you all day long, but rather a strong sense of whole person and true inclusive heart. We considered Holton and visi and eventually landed at SR. I am sure HA and Visi are both great schools, but I respectfully disagree with the quoted statement.

Especially as an immigrant family, we are sensitive to true inclusion vs. inclusion-veneer. Stone Ridge gave us the strongest sense of an inclusive community. From admissions office to teachers to fellow students, everyone has been the most pleasant to her and to our family. She has regained her confidence and she is excelling academically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, some people admitted already know by now -- they made calls this morning.

We've had daughters at both schools. You can't go wrong with either. SR is Catholic and a bit more traditional (but religion is not as strong as at a typical parochial school). For example, the lower school had father-daughter dance a few weeks ago, and the school has father-daughter field day in June. They also have mother-daughter events.

Holton would never have such a "traditional role" type of event. They do have a field day in the fall, for all parents.

Campus-wise, I like the layout of SR better (post renovation with the new Mater Center), as Holton feels more "in the woods" but that's really a preference. Do note that due to SR's size, they don't have tennis courts or track and field on campus, while Holton does. If your DD is into those sports, it may be a consideration. Both have swimming pools and the usual fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey.

Actually- until Covid hit Holton had a Daddy/Daughter ski trip (6th grade).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great choices to have. Neither is a bad choice. But, I did find Holton to have a more one dimensional aspect. It was more of a glorified public school with beautiful attributes. Whereas, SR at least has the required community service that you do weekly that made the girls seem more oriented towards the world vs being so insular. The sense of values at SR seem stronger.

Glorified public school? Holton is the farthest thing from it.

Holton recognizes the importance of service. 80 hours in HS and many opportunities in LS and MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! These are very helpful answers! We’re not Catholic, but I was worried about Holton’s elitist culture (which, to be fair, I have mainly heard about on DCUrbanMom).

We are in our 6th year at Holton and I really don’t think you need to worry about the elitist culture. Of course there are super wealthy families but also plenty of other families like us who just prioritize education and give up big houses/vacations etc to make tuition payments. I have experience at other privates and I wouldn’t call Holton elitist compared to others I’ve sent my kids to.

THIS IS CORRECT!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too had different impression and thought Holton felt more well-rounded and classrooms/sports facilities were nicer than SR (though the new cafeteria at SR is awesome).

I also love the “find a way or make one” ideal. But understand how girls could be drawn to the sacred heart tradition at SR.

Just goes to show, to each their own.

Honestly, what is the sacred heart tradition? I am a Catholic and should probably know...
I get that it's a consortium of schools, but what traditions would be a draw??

Sacred Heart is a global network of schools started by a young Catholic French girl, Sophie Barat, in the early 19th century. Sacred Heart schools educated women, regardless of class, long before it was socially acceptable to do so. There is a lot of tradition surrounding Saint Sophie Barat (you can visit a shrine in Paris) and many girls feel connected to the empowerment of women and the pioneering nature of her teaching.

Very random question but it is a Sacred Heart thing to have the girls curtsey to the Head of School/Principle in greeting every morning or just a Sacred Heart NYC thing?

I would like to know more about the 'culture' + traditions as well. I posted an earlier question about clubs--I saw someone describe them as something like sororities, which I was curious about. Also, are there exchange programs with other Sacred Hearts or schools in general?

NP. our DD goes to SR. Can't speak to the "sorority-ness" of clubs since DD never indicated that is a thing. The only clique that DD talks about is the "blonde squad," which seems to be a group of lacrosse players who cannibalize themselves with girl drama. And apparently the lacrosse girls (according to DD) get special treatment - pizza parties after practice, lacross gear and clothing with an SR logo that is different than the universal logo that the school and the other sports use, etc. The asst. AD is the lacrosse coach and there seems to be some favoritism. But that's the only downside I've heard of (or seen).

There is an exchange program though. This is the first academic year since Covid that the school is participating again. While the program is not back to full strength where girls can exchange with schools all over the world, there are options to exchange with 3 schools in Spain (Madrid, Sevilla and Barcelona, I think) and 2 in France (not sure where). DD says the non-US students who have come through have been great, and has SR friends who have hosted and who will travel abroad. I think the SR girl will stay with the family of the counterpart SR student who stayed in the US with her family.

Super happy with SR. Our other daughter was just accepted for 9th grade and will also attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great choices to have. Neither is a bad choice. But, I did find Holton to have a more one dimensional aspect. It was more of a glorified public school with beautiful attributes. Whereas, SR at least has the required community service that you do weekly that made the girls seem more oriented towards the world vs being so insular. The sense of values at SR seem stronger.

Glorified public school? Holton is the farthest thing from it.

Holton recognizes the importance of service. 80 hours in HS and many opportunities in LS and MS.

The community service at SR is integrated into the curriculum...i.e. part of the school schedule is designated for service. I don't think Holton has anything like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great choices to have. Neither is a bad choice. But, I did find Holton to have a more one dimensional aspect. It was more of a glorified public school with beautiful attributes. Whereas, SR at least has the required community service that you do weekly that made the girls seem more oriented towards the world vs being so insular. The sense of values at SR seem stronger.

Glorified public school? Holton is the farthest thing from it.

Holton recognizes the importance of service. 80 hours in HS and many opportunities in LS and MS.

The community service at SR is integrated into the curriculum...i.e. part of the school schedule is designated for service. I don't think Holton has anything like this.

That's correct. SR's commitment to community service is at a whole other admirable level.

--Holton family

[Anonymous]

2 daughters at SR and 1 at NCS. If we had a 4th, we would send her to SR without a question. Amazing school that centers mission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HA is MUCH stronger academically.

How do you quantify that statement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too had different impression and thought Holton felt more well-rounded and classrooms/sports facilities were nicer than SR (though the new cafeteria at SR is awesome).

I also love the “find a way or make one” ideal. But understand how girls could be drawn to the sacred heart tradition at SR.

Just goes to show, to each their own.

Honestly, what is the sacred heart tradition? I am a Catholic and should probably know...
I get that it's a consortium of schools, but what traditions would be a draw??

Sacred Heart is a global network of schools started by a young Catholic French girl, Sophie Barat, in the early 19th century. Sacred Heart schools educated women, regardless of class, long before it was socially acceptable to do so. There is a lot of tradition surrounding Saint Sophie Barat (you can visit a shrine in Paris) and many girls feel connected to the empowerment of women and the pioneering nature of her teaching.

Very random question but it is a Sacred Heart thing to have the girls curtsey to the Head of School/Principle in greeting every morning or just a Sacred Heart NYC thing?

I asked DD who is at SR and she got a good laugh at that. She said they just say "Hello Ms. Karrels" when the HOS walks by.

I'm OR and I figured... the UES is a whole different ball game. Glad to give your DD a laugh

[Anonymous]

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but how are the lessons at SR? My child liked when she visited, but only sat in in a few classes.. is the overall program engaging and interesting or does it sort of depend on which teacher you get?

[Anonymous]

My daughter was recently accepted to both schools. We ended up choosing SR. You will know which one you prefer once you start touring. (The acceptance ceremony at Holton was very “Stepfordish). One thing that I wanted to note for clarification is that SR is an independent Catholic school, so it does not have the “old school” traditions that some have mentioned. In fact, more than half of my daughter’s class is not Catholic. The curriculum at both schools is about the same (high level); however, Holton is known to be a pressure cooker. Most girls do not need such an approach to succeed. SR focuses on the whole student, which is very easy to see when you observe the students at both schools. There are many SR moms who graduated from Holton, but are sending their daughters to SR. That should tell you plenty. For the most part, the sense of entitlement and elitism does not exist at SR- even though the parents are successful. Furthermore, hands down, SR’s campus and facilities are better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HA is MUCH stronger academically.

How do you quantify that statement?

Np.
Our kid found it very easy in the earlier grades, but once tracking and electives start in middle school it was more academically challenging.

I don’t know how HA lower school, grades 3-6, are challenge-wise.

All of these schools are taking girls from different intake schools across the area so have to spend some time integrating into one class and one math, reading, etc curriculum. That’s not super easy to do anywhere, when kids are constantly coming in.

[Anonymous]

They are both in MoCo but not the same locations, if that matters.
We would have literally had to drive past one to get to another so we went with which one was closer, Holton, for our sporty daughter.
I don’t want to know how the 3 or 4 or 5pm traffics would have been to do it differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great choices to have. Neither is a bad choice. But, I did find Holton to have a more one dimensional aspect. It was more of a glorified public school with beautiful attributes. Whereas, SR at least has the required community service that you do weekly that made the girls seem more oriented towards the world vs being so insular. The sense of values at SR seem stronger.

Glorified public school? Holton is the farthest thing from it.

Holton recognizes the importance of service. 80 hours in HS and many opportunities in LS and MS.

The community service at SR is integrated into the curriculum...i.e. part of the school schedule is designated for service. I don't think Holton has anything like this.

That's correct. SR's commitment to community service is at a whole other admirable level.

--Holton family

As a Catholic family at Holton, yes I agree. It is formalized and in sacred heart pedagogy. But looks like it takes a secular approach to its volunteering, service projects.