Madeira vs. Holton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From what I see in the girls that attend both schools, Holton girls are notably academically stronger. It’s seems the mod system is not doing the education quality at Madeira many favors. Holton also has somewhat better integration with a boys school, since Madeira doesn’t have a brother school. Not that Holton and Landon schools have an overwhelming amount of activities together, but at least they do some.

FWIW, my girls go to Holton and upper school is very academically challenging.

I would definitely not view the opportunity to interact with Landon boys as a plus. Nor does my anec-data agree with yours.

The benefits of the mod system is that it allows every class session to be more in depth and the accelerated curriculum to fit within 5 week sessions is more in line with what our kids will see in college (honestly, I think my Madeira girl's classes are more challenging than her older sister's gen ed college classes). It isn't for everyone, but it absolutely did favors for my daughter in terms of education quality. Plus, having three 5 week internships is something that is only available at Madeira.

The schools are totally different (other than being single gender). A girl who would really like one is unlikely to like the other. Mine wouldn't even consider Holton. She had friends from her cohort at her K-8 who wouldn't consider Madeira. Neither is intrinsically better.

+1

Totally different vibes.

I would go with Holton over Madeira. I am not that impressed with a few moms I know that are Madeira alums. One tends to lack some basic social graces and is always gossiping in public and whispering about others who can hear her. Another one sort of does the same thing. It may just be a coincidence but it is just so out of the norm that is caught my attention.

You are judging a school based on the alumnae who attended 20+ years ago? Madeira has changed enormously in that time, especially post-COViD. And your comment is the type of behavior you purport to dislike. It’s so lacking in self awareness. Or is it okay when you are the one who is being gossipy and judgy? Or is it okay because you are on an anonymous forum? Just trying to figure out the difference between the behavior you are a calling out and your own.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, as the parent of a soon to be Madeira alum, I'd rather anyone who discount's the school based on PP's anecdata not share the same alma mater as my kid.

[Anonymous]

DP. It's not insight!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No school is perfect in this, but Madeira is very well-known as having the LEAST mean girl culture of any of the DC single-sex schools. Saying it has a culture of mean girls because of some people you claim to know that are all gossipy is not really relevant, sorry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:also reactivating a month-old thread to add this anecdote

Anonymous wrote:what an insightful comment. definitely worth deciding your children's future over.

Op is asking about the two schools. Culture and community are key components when selecting a school and if there seems to be a culture of mean girl behavior amongst alums then it may be relevant. It would be relevant to me.

DP. Of course it is relevant. Op asked about insights with both schools.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is of color then avoid Holton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is of color then avoid Holton.

Say more, please...

[Anonymous]

Madeira is definitely NOT know for having mean girl culture. Quite the opposite in fact. It’s why my daughter chose it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Madeira is definitely NOT know for having mean girl culture. Quite the opposite in fact. It’s why my daughter chose it!

DP. Maybe it is just a coincidence or more about people/alumns that stay in the area and the families all belong to the same clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Madeira is definitely NOT know for having mean girl culture. Quite the opposite in fact. It’s why my daughter chose it!

DP. Maybe it is just a coincidence or more about people/alumns that stay in the area and the families all belong to the same clubs.

I think you may be confusing Madeira with NCS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From what I see in the girls that attend both schools, Holton girls are notably academically stronger. It’s seems the mod system is not doing the education quality at Madeira many favors. Holton also has somewhat better integration with a boys school, since Madeira doesn’t have a brother school. Not that Holton and Landon schools have an overwhelming amount of activities together, but at least they do some.

FWIW, my girls go to Holton and upper school is very academically challenging.

I would definitely not view the opportunity to interact with Landon boys as a plus. Nor does my anec-data agree with yours.

The benefits of the mod system is that it allows every class session to be more in depth and the accelerated curriculum to fit within 5 week sessions is more in line with what our kids will see in college (honestly, I think my Madeira girl's classes are more challenging than her older sister's gen ed college classes). It isn't for everyone, but it absolutely did favors for my daughter in terms of education quality. Plus, having three 5 week internships is something that is only available at Madeira.

The schools are totally different (other than being single gender). A girl who would really like one is unlikely to like the other. Mine wouldn't even consider Holton. She had friends from her cohort at her K-8 who wouldn't consider Madeira. Neither is intrinsically better.

+1

Totally different vibes.

I would go with Holton over Madeira. I am not that impressed with a few moms I know that are Madeira alums. One tends to lack some basic social graces and is always gossiping in public and whispering about others who can hear her. Another one sort of does the same thing. It may just be a coincidence but it is just so out of the norm that is caught my attention.

This also happens at Holton and every other school.