Holton Arms

[Anonymous]

What do people think about HA? Anyone have a daughter there? I'm thinking ahead to next year (my DD is in first grade now). I went to an all girls school and really liked it, although I only went in high school. I am very concerned about raising a snobby child so this would be a particular concern for me.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I used the search function (duh) and found a couple threads, so np need ot repeat if you poster there. Anyone have thoughts on the lower school in particular? Also, is it ultra competitive like the "Big 3" or might my child (who is bright and articulate, but wasn't reading at 6 months old or anything) actually have a shot?

[Anonymous]

Holton alum here happy to answer any questions. Biased, of course, but classmates who had snobby parents were a lot more likely to be snobs, so draw your own conclusions. For my part, my parents worked HARD to send me there and I think it was well worth it. Went 7-12, so I can't speak to lower school specifically except to say the 10 year girls (went 3-12) feel quite fondly about it.

[Anonymous]

I would like more lower school feedback as well. Read through search threads already. Seeking info from current lower school parents on classes/teachers etc. It seems there aren't many Holton parents on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Maybe that's a good thing, PP.

[Anonymous]

I am a Holton Parent and love the school. It is a wonderful school, our daughter is in the lower school, and has thrived. The teachers, administrators are fantastic. As Jessie Moon Holton said "I shall find a way or make one." I suggest you make your way to the school and check it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do people think about HA? Anyone have a daughter there? I'm thinking ahead to next year (my DD is in first grade now). I went to an all girls school and really liked it, although I only went in high school. I am very concerned about raising a snobby child so this would be a particular concern for me.

I love, love, love the Lower School at Holton Arms. It is a very positive, supportive environment. The students are always engaged and there aren't cliques or any snobbiness at all. The teachers are highly qualified and the new Lower School director has done wonders. The design technology program is the only all-girls engineering program in the entire country.

[Anonymous]

Holton is multi-cultural and diverse in every way. Yes, you will find some snobs -- but they are everywhere in DC. There are some good people too. It's a very challenging school that really prepares girls to be leaders and top intellects.

[Anonymous]

Great school!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Holton is a great school. The Lower School has wonderful teachers, the parents are supportive of LS programs, the students are enthusiastic learners, and the administration is approachable. Girls learn to be strong leaders and self-motivated learners. The tech, design tech, music, and art programs are fantastic. I cant say enough good things about Holton!

[Anonymous]

My sense from having DD go through the application process (and get admitted, which we promptly accepted) is that the school is not looking formulaically to get the children with the highest test scores. Although we have no idea how the applications were rated/considered, as far as we could tell, the people we met seemed genuninely interested in the personalities of the applicants - including if they have other interests, seem creative during the visit, engage happily and well during their visit. After visiting many schools, this was our first choice for DD ... PP who suggested you go visit was right. If you sense the same magic in the place as we and our DD (separately on her visit) did, I suspect you will want to apply.

[Anonymous]

Another happy LS parent here. Teachers and admin are wonderful, especially the LS head Patrick Bane. I agree that they seem to look at the whole child and potential for success, rather than (necessarily) off-the-charts test scores. Plenty of down-to-earth parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sense from having DD go through the application process (and get admitted, which we promptly accepted) is that the school is not looking formulaically to get the children with the highest test scores. Although we have no idea how the applications were rated/considered, as far as we could tell, the people we met seemed genuninely interested in the personalities of the applicants - including if they have other interests, seem creative during the visit, engage happily and well during their visit. After visiting many schools, this was our first choice for DD ... PP who suggested you go visit was right. If you sense the same magic in the place as we and our DD (separately on her visit) did, I suspect you will want to apply.

NON Holton parent here. I have always admired the school because it does not do the same cherry picking that other schools do, but seems to magically bring out the best in girls getting them to top performance and into the best schools. I might have to pass on Holton because of tuition, and the all girls environment is not something I would want long term. I might be able to swing it for 6-8th grade. I wish there was a co-ed equivalent in the area.

[Anonymous]

Great school !! Top notch, Administration and staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do people think about HA? Anyone have a daughter there? I'm thinking ahead to next year (my DD is in first grade now). I went to an all girls school and really liked it, although I only went in high school. I am very concerned about raising a snobby child so this would be a particular concern for me.

I love, love, love the Lower School at Holton Arms. It is a very positive, supportive environment. The students are always engaged and there aren't cliques or any snobbiness at all. The teachers are highly qualified and the new Lower School director has done wonders. The design technology program is the only all-girls engineering program in the entire country.

I think it's a great school, but I did hear from one family I know with a girl of late lower/early middle school age that there was a lot of mean girl stuff going on.