What is going on at Holton?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:... Parents just don't talk about it because it is a taboo!

This (meaning not talking) is a problem at Holton. I don't have direct experience at other schools, but I get the feeling it's a DC thing to always avoid saying anything critical. In the past, we have tried to address issues with teachers and administrators directly and have been met with shock at our daring to bring up problems or even just suggest improvements could be made. It's stifling, and I think it leads to a climate where no one talks openly, so no one feels heard, and then it all comes out here anonymously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, these seem to be a few disgruntled people. Make your decision by talking to the school and other parents, not anonymous complainers. This has been a hard year for every school. My daughter has be at Holton since ES, and has thrived. The teachers and admin have been very caring, and we aren't big-money donors. The school is challenging academically, no question. Some girls leave for less-demanding schools. But that's why Holton's reputation is stellar.

I am glad to hear your daughter has thrived at Holton since ES. I have nothing against Holton nor am not a disgruntled parent. I am stating the fact when a Holton girl needs support with mental health, Holton isn't there to support. Let me explain more about Holton being a cookie cutter school. Cookie cutter approach is when they always use same approach and not enough attention is paid to individual differences.

Every child is different hence, they should be supported especially when there is a mental health challenge. I think the school is starting to realize their stance and supporting toward the girls with mental health needs.

Now, you are saying some girls are leaving for less-demanding schools and makes Holton's reputation more stellar is very shocking to me and reeks arrogance. I hope you realize that the girls leaving Holton are always for different reasons and lack of support in mental health is definitely one of them. Parents just don't talk about it because it is a taboo!

DP. Our girls go to a different school so we have no experience at all with Holton but I want you to know that I think your expectations are completely off-base. PARENTS are the people primarily responsible for a child's mental health. I think you're wrong for holding Holton's feet to the fire on this. It is your responsibility to be the primary provider of support with the school in a back-up role. If you're waiting for the school to take your kid's problems off your hands then you're going to be in for a long wait because it is not the school's responsibility. It is yours. Step up.

Again, our girls go to a different school, one that is frequently discussed here. I would in no way expect the types of actions from our school that you seem to expect from Holton. I think you need to adjust your expectations and take more ownership of your girl's mental health needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Do most people have that many options anyway these days? We would have loved a spot at Holton or NCS!

Indeed! Some of these parents are so spoiled + braggy . They act as though they are going to school + not their kids. Time to back away mommies. Many of us would be thrilled to have the $$$ and connections to send our girls to either school.

[Anonymous]

Any word on whether Holton wants to continue the bizarre asynchronous day practice? I saw one asynchronous day on the school calendar for October. Please tell me that is it. If you want to give the teachers a day off, be honest about it and make it yet another school holiday. Let’s not pretend that random assignments at home are a real school day.

[Anonymous]

Asynchronous days are popular with students, not teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Asynchronous days are popular with students, not teachers.

Speak for yourself. Not my DD.

[Anonymous]

Same here. My Holton DD wants to go to school!

[Anonymous]

My DD at a school discussed here LOVES asynchronous dats. She catches up, studies for tests, and finishes her work with plenty of time to have a life and/or do her ECs. I love it for her. Makes school so much better for her and us as parents.

[Anonymous]

My DD loves asynchronous days

[Anonymous]

Everyone who goes to Holton knows it is all about the girls and some of the teachers (not all). The girls are the best and the brightest. There is no stellar Administration or an HoS that listens. The HoS is cold, calculating and does not listen to the community at all. She makes decisions for her own enrichment only. It's time for her to go. She is so out of touch. Look at what is going on with Prom!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone who goes to Holton knows it is all about the girls and some of the teachers (not all). The girls are the best and the brightest. There is no stellar Administration or an HoS that listens. The HoS is cold, calculating and does not listen to the community at all. She makes decisions for her own enrichment only. It's time for her to go. She is so out of touch. Look at what is going on with Prom!

We’ve had the opposite experience—I feel like she listens and solicits more feedback from the community than the other heads of school my children have had in the past. The Holton HoS hosts a parent coffee call almost every Friday where she answers parent questions. She seems very in touch with what’s going on, and very willing to answer all parent questions. I have no idea what you think she’s “cold and calculating” about—I think she’s had to make many hard decisions about covid this year and school has successfully kept everyone safe.

[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 bThiut I have to be honest.

This is seriously the MOST HONEST POSTNG I have ever seen on this forum about Holton! People are too scared to say what they really feel and just want to graduate. Most of the positive stories don't even sound like they are written by real Holton parents. No one actually refers to the LS as elementary school or ES. The tuition went way up in COVID while other schools stayed the same or gave money back. Girls hated going back in person because it was cold and unwelcoming. Crazy! WHat else is going on at Holton?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have been considering Holton for a future entry year but are concerned with the themes of two recent posts, which discuss the school making significant changes with seemingly little explanation or concern for parent views (elimination of honors math in MS and the perpetuation of asynchronous days even when school is back in session). What’s behind the recent change in the school’s attitude? I can’t find those themes from past postings about the school and am trying to figure out what’s going on. [/quote

Holton has the most diverse and intelligent group of girls in the DMV. Since you are thinking of future entry, seriously consider applying once there is a new administration. The school is under a lot of scrutiny now for poor business decisions and mismanagement. There are bunch of lawsuits and a federal investigation over the AP class issue. Legal problems, including sexual harassment, they don't share with parents or donors. Many disgruntled - not just a few.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have been considering Holton for a future entry year but are concerned with the themes of two recent posts, which discuss the school making significant changes with seemingly little explanation or concern for parent views (elimination of honors math in MS and the perpetuation of asynchronous days even when school is back in session). What’s behind the recent change in the school’s attitude? I can’t find those themes from past postings about the school and am trying to figure out what’s going on. [/quote

Holton has the most diverse and intelligent group of girls in the DMV. Since you are thinking of future entry, seriously consider applying once there is a new administration. The school is under a lot of scrutiny now for poor business decisions and mismanagement. There are bunch of lawsuits and a federal investigation over the AP class issue. Legal problems, including sexual harassment, they don't share with parents or donors. Many disgruntled - not just a few.

A federal investigation over the AP issue? What?

[Anonymous]

Every single private school in the area that also decided to stop teaching to the APs was in the lawsuit (St. Albans, NCS, Potomac, Sidwell, etc.). It was about the schools forming a monopoly and shutting out the money-making test prep folks and guess what? The schools won, they were not doing anything wrong. The College Board is terrified of losing its revenue with colleges and universities not caring about the standardized tests any more, and they were desperate to stop it, but had no legal standing.