Upheaval at Holton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton is a great school, but it is of course not perfect. In my opinion, Susanna Jones was an exceptional head of school—I know some others disagree for reasons that are valid—but enough parents saw it that way that she was always going to be a tough act to follow. In addition, the approach to DEI issues taken there in the past few years was perceived by some as heavy-handed and cringe, but by others as not going nearly far enough, similar divisions that exist in society more generally. I think this difference of opinion got kind of played out in the HOS selection process—you see it in this thread from posters who believe that the selection of the new head represented some kind of retrenchment on that issue, which I personally think is a bit overstated. I don’t think Penny Evans is on a mission to “Make Holton White Again.”

As for substantive issues with the new HOS, I think she got a little jammed up on the Gaza issue, where the communications she sent out were perceived a sensitive

Sorry, cut off. Were perceived as insensitive by some. I believe that has more to do with her style of written communications versus her actual views on any issue. Her writing is not my cup of tea. Too early to tell in other things, IMO, she’s still quite new to the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the school expanding by 100 students. As another poster mentioned, the current permit has a hard limit due to the egress options in an emergency. Buying the houses on the adjacent road, then making that a new entrance is not an automatic solution. First, the well-heeled neighbors on that road (Burdette) will surely protest to any expansion. Second, Holton would need approval for adding an entrance, and increasing occupancy limits. I just don't see that easily happening.

And let's say this all does become possible -- that project will take 10 years, so your DD will lkely already be done and graudated from Holton by the time it's ready.

+1 I remember when they were trying to get the plans for the track to go through. The way those neighbors fought tooth and nail over it was impressive. And that was for a track. Imagine a road with cars!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That was with the old HOS. Things are a lot better.

Opposite of this. The problem is the new HOS.

+!
1

Holton family here. Just going to be direct, the vague critiques on the new HOS are fatigued, can someone please weigh in with specifics? It's significant to us that the three heads of school have left, but I would appreciate more specifics to draw a correlation.

We've had new two new teachers in our daughter's current grade and they've been excellent. I'm just not seeing this grave change yet and would appreciate any specifics.

I'll give you an example: How about the recent all-wide community email in which the second paragraph is a run-on sentence? One would think the first requirement would be for the head of school to write clearly or know enough to ask someone to help proofread and copyedit her writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton family here. This is my advice for a prospective family.

Find a Holton family that shares your values, someone you think your daughter would likely be friends with, and then ask them what they think of the new HOS and the changes she is making. If they say things are great, you are also likely to think they are great because you are likely value aligned with Penny and the board.

If you cannot find a family that is value aligned, ask the admissions office to connect you with a family. Give them some parameters. Like, “we’d like to talk to a family who came from public school,” or “we want to talk to parents of a girl athlete.” Fill in the blank for your family.

If you cannot find a family that is value aligned then that should be very telling for you, because there is a good chunk of families who are staying away from admissions events and are refusing to boost for the school. So far, Holton hasn’t seemed to mind our lack of participation because they are managing to attract the kinds of families they want to, which is wealthier, white, suburban with girls who are more interested in sports than rigorous academics.

Some current families are unbothered because the impacts won’t be felt until 4-5 years when Holton girls graduate with less academic awards and end up going to less prestigious schools.

Honestly, for wealthy white students, college placement will be better for stand out athletes than stand out academics. The “Who Gets into College…” talk about how sports have dedicated spots, coaches advocating for students, and can act as a proxy for wealth since participation in high level sports is expensive and usually requires a SAHM or personal staff. Just being nerdy and smart, there is no coach recruiting you nor allocated admission spots like they have for teams — it’s just not enough and you can be smart and not as wealthy as the ‘flying around the country weekly’ travel athlete.

Holton IS trying to raise its college admission profiles; it’s a business and that’s the metric that matters for its customers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holton family here. This is my advice for a prospective family.

Find a Holton family that shares your values, someone you think your daughter would likely be friends with, and then ask them what they think of the new HOS and the changes she is making. If they say things are great, you are also likely to think they are great because you are likely value aligned with Penny and the board.

If you cannot find a family that is value aligned, ask the admissions office to connect you with a family. Give them some parameters. Like, “we’d like to talk to a family who came from public school,” or “we want to talk to parents of a girl athlete.” Fill in the blank for your family.

If you cannot find a family that is value aligned then that should be very telling for you, because there is a good chunk of families who are staying away from admissions events and are refusing to boost for the school. So far, Holton hasn’t seemed to mind our lack of participation because they are managing to attract the kinds of families they want to, which is wealthier, white, suburban with girls who are more interested in sports than rigorous academics.

Some current families are unbothered because the impacts won’t be felt until 4-5 years when Holton girls graduate with less academic awards and end up going to less prestigious schools.

Honestly, for wealthy white students, college placement will be better for stand out athletes than stand out academics. The “Who Gets into College…” talk about how sports have dedicated spots, coaches advocating for students, and can act as a proxy for wealth since participation in high level sports is expensive and usually requires a SAHM or personal staff. Just being nerdy and smart, there is no coach recruiting you nor allocated admission spots like they have for teams — it’s just not enough and you can be smart and not as wealthy as the ‘flying around the country weekly’ travel athlete.

Holton IS trying to raise its college admission profiles; it’s a business and that’s the metric that matters for its customers.

This is a really good point that I had not considered. Holton is increasing its focus on athletics and dialing down its academic rigor because its the best way for wealthy, white kids to get into the most prestigious colleges. I feel like I have a better understanding of the Holton admissions calculus. This is helpful intel for prospective families!! Thank for you sharing!

[Anonymous]

No. NO said they're "dialing down their academic rigor" (except you, being nasty).

They said, they had a Admit author talk on Title IX and how being a top competitive scholar athlete and wanting to compete in college can help you get in to college. So having those relationships with AAU, ECNL, Team Maryland hockey, USA Swimming recruiters can help your application process and connect High school to coaches to college recruiters.

[Anonymous]

And many recruited scholar athletes are not white, FYI. At any of the DC area private schools, male or female.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That was with the old HOS. Things are a lot better.

Opposite of this. The problem is the new HOS.

+!
1

Holton family here. Just going to be direct, the vague critiques on the new HOS are fatigued, can someone please weigh in with specifics? It's significant to us that the three heads of school have left, but I would appreciate more specifics to draw a correlation.

We've had new two new teachers in our daughter's current grade and they've been excellent. I'm just not seeing this grave change yet and would appreciate any specifics.

I'll give you an example: How about the recent all-wide community email in which the second paragraph is a run-on sentence? One would think the first requirement would be for the head of school to write clearly or know enough to ask someone to help proofread and copyedit her writing.

Well shoot. Get Grammarly or get the pitchforks.

In all seriousness, I’m just not hearing concrete examples of how Penny is changing our daughter’s experience for the worse (and open to hearing them). I am seeing MS language arts teachers on point, including a new hire. I love what I’m seeing come home- both what she’s writing and the feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. NO said they're "dialing down their academic rigor" (except you, being nasty).

They said, they had a Admit author talk on Title IX and how being a top competitive scholar athlete and wanting to compete in college can help you get in to college. So having those relationships with AAU, ECNL, Team Maryland hockey, USA Swimming recruiters can help your application process and connect High school to coaches to college recruiters.

Cutting and pasting what was said before, "Honestly, for wealthy white students, college placement will be better for stand out athletes than stand out academics."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holton family here. This is my advice for a prospective family.

Find a Holton family that shares your values, someone you think your daughter would likely be friends with, and then ask them what they think of the new HOS and the changes she is making. If they say things are great, you are also likely to think they are great because you are likely value aligned with Penny and the board.

If you cannot find a family that is value aligned, ask the admissions office to connect you with a family. Give them some parameters. Like, “we’d like to talk to a family who came from public school,” or “we want to talk to parents of a girl athlete.” Fill in the blank for your family.

If you cannot find a family that is value aligned then that should be very telling for you, because there is a good chunk of families who are staying away from admissions events and are refusing to boost for the school. So far, Holton hasn’t seemed to mind our lack of participation because they are managing to attract the kinds of families they want to, which is wealthier, white, suburban with girls who are more interested in sports than rigorous academics.

Some current families are unbothered because the impacts won’t be felt until 4-5 years when Holton girls graduate with less academic awards and end up going to less prestigious schools.

Honestly, for wealthy white students, college placement will be better for stand out athletes than stand out academics. The “Who Gets into College…” talk about how sports have dedicated spots, coaches advocating for students, and can act as a proxy for wealth since participation in high level sports is expensive and usually requires a SAHM or personal staff. Just being nerdy and smart, there is no coach recruiting you nor allocated admission spots like they have for teams — it’s just not enough and you can be smart and not as wealthy as the ‘flying around the country weekly’ travel athlete.

Holton IS trying to raise its college admission profiles; it’s a business and that’s the metric that matters for its customers.

This is a really good point that I had not considered. Holton is increasing its focus on athletics and dialing down its academic rigor because it’s the best way for wealthy, white kids to get into the most prestigious colleges. I feel like I have a better understanding of the Holton admissions calculus. This is helpful intel for prospective families!! Thank for you sharing!

Bold is false. Stop making up stuff.

[Anonymous]

Non white Holton family here.

We are very happy. The parent community is warm and welcoming, as our the girls. My child came out of public school and felt like she was able to make friends easily and quickly.

It’s a very very rigorous school and the backbone is rigor with athletics and arts being the icing on the cake.

It’s not all wealth and not all white. The school is 44% non white. DEI is simply a part of the fabric of the school.

It’s a great place. Talk to the admissions team and ask to talk to parents in higher grades and see how people feel.

I’m guessing the dcum peanut gallery is a few unhappy people who miss the truly exceptional old head plus a few trolls.

[Anonymous]

Three division directors leaving within 12 months is remarkable. Penny is abusive. I used to work there (before Penny.). Many I know who still work there are looking for a way out. She has had a profoundly chilling effect on campus morale. Watch for the exodus. It’s coming. It’s a shame. I loved that school. A really special place.

[Anonymous]

As the parent of a girl at a nearby private school, I hope Holton remains a strong school. She’s in lower ES and we aren’t looking to switch schools, but we’re hoping it could be a good option for 9th.

This area doesn’t necessarily have a huge number of strong, secular HS options. If you’re ok with a Catholic school, there’s a ton. Less so if you’re not. Holton declining in quality would be a big loss.

[Anonymous]

What I see as troublesome is class size...up to 20 kids per classroom and 1 teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I see as troublesome is class size...up to 20 kids per classroom and 1 teacher.

+1 not to mention how crowded the cafeteria will be and they already didn’t have enough lockers in upper school last year