Holton or NCS - Help!

[Anonymous]

00:33, I don't think all people use these boards in a cynical fashion, but I think it's a danger associated with an anonymous forum like this. I don't doubt there is also genuine sentiment reflected in some people's comments.

Oh, and I WENT to Holton and loved it, so I get it!

[Anonymous]

I'm a Mom of a recent Holton Grad. She was there all the way thru lower school to 12th grade. I don't know why anyone says Holton has a great science/math program. In fact, it is a huge weakness of Holton. They have one engineering class in 5th grade where they make helicopters. That is it.

Overall, I love the school, it is academically very challenging, but there is much love from the faculty. But not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

PP - I suspect your DD graduated longer ago than you think. They do a lot more than build helicopters in 5th grade. Please, be honest, either about the timing or the curriculum, or both.

[Anonymous]

I went to NCs, my sister went to Holton. While I didn't hate the school, or have an awful experience, knowing what I know now I would send my daughter to Holton. My reasons:

1. Boys- STA/NCS are much more intertwined than Landon/Holton, and as a result there is just as much of the pre-teen/teenage issues with boys as you would find at a co-ed school. If this isn't a concern for you then fine, but if you want a more formally single-sex education I think Holton is your better bet.

2. "Social competetiveness"- This is real and does seem to be more common at NCS. I think this is partly because NCS seems to have a higher number of super high-profile/political families (think Gores, Bakers, etc.) whereas Holton seems to have more diplomat kids and extremely wealthy. (Note I said seems, don't reem me out with stats because I'm just speaking from my perception/experience)

3. Uniforms- I really like that at Holton the girls wear uniforms. It's not for everyone, but I just remember being so concerned about clothes and appearances than my sister who wore the same thing everyday. You still get into issues with girls wanting to have the "right" backpack or the "cool" purse, but there are just fewer things to stress over.

4.Campus- I prefer how secluded the Holton campus is. The NCS campus is very close to Georgetown and other independent schools and I remember it being very easy to "hang out" (aka get into trouble) after school because you could just walk places and meet up with other kids. At Holton, you would have to drive to another school or to someone's house.

Clearly these are all points of personal preference based on my values, and I can see someone else reading this list and deciding in the complete opposite way. FWIW the academics I think are the same, the whole math/science vs. humanities thing is more marketing than reality in my opinion. My sister and I applied to the exact same schools- five Ivies- and got into all of them. She went into law, and felt that Holton prepared her well for that, I went into a scientific field, and felt NCS prepared me well for that. Oh, and just so that no one thinks I'm an NCS hater, here are some great parts about my alma mater:

-Religion/Cathedral- I think this really helped instill a sense of community, that is unique to the Close and my DH and I still go to Lessons&Carols since we moved back to DC.

-Sports- the new sports center is amazing and the Cathedral sports teams are really great.

-Location- I grew up in NW, and it was kind of nice that most families at NCS lived in the city and were not as spread out as some families.

-Beauvoir- Both my sis and I went there and loved it. It was nice to be able to continue on with my peers, rather than starting somewhere new.

Good luck, and congratulations on your acceptances!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP - I suspect your DD graduated longer ago than you think. They do a lot more than build helicopters in 5th grade. Please, be honest, either about the timing or the curriculum, or both.

You're right. They made puppets in 5th grade. lots of different types of puppets.

[Anonymous]

That's really helpful PP. Perhaps your DD had sleep apnea or something and wasn't coherent for the rest of the content. Really glad she is out of there though, so mine will not have to meet her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Mom of a recent Holton Grad. She was there all the way thru lower school to 12th grade. I don't know why anyone says Holton has a great science/math program. In fact, it is a huge weakness of Holton. They have one engineering class in 5th grade where they make helicopters. That is it.

Overall, I love the school, it is academically very challenging, but there is much love from the faculty. But not for everyone.

My daughter is currently in the lower school at Holton. We love the hands on approach of the science department. It is the only academic department that has really opened its arms to my daughter, and the only place on her report card that doesn't say (negatively) "continually wants to ask questions", "always raising hand to ask questions", "needs to remember that other kids need to ask questions." Advancement is not proving possible and differentiation of curriculum at Holton is turning out to be just not enough. Some of the teachers actually seem to be annoyed that my daughter does well academically, so they seem to pick at and try to over-grade on less important things (for example, cursive hand-writing/letter formation when she can type!). We are seriously considering moving to public school, where very gifted children can be advanced a grade, if need be. Holton has made it clear that grade advancement does not happen "under any circumstance." (and I quote with that last bit.)

[Anonymous]

That's you again pp -- now, now...let's not "over-mommy"

[Anonymous]

OP, you have heard an NCS alum say they would choose Holton. I know several NCS students who would never choose the school for their own daughters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Mom of a recent Holton Grad. She was there all the way thru lower school to 12th grade. I don't know why anyone says Holton has a great science/math program. In fact, it is a huge weakness of Holton. They have one engineering class in 5th grade where they make helicopters. That is it.

Overall, I love the school, it is academically very challenging, but there is much love from the faculty. But not for everyone.

My daughter is currently in the lower school at Holton. We love the hands on approach of the science department. It is the only academic department that has really opened its arms to my daughter, and the only place on her report card that doesn't say (negatively) "continually wants to ask questions", "always raising hand to ask questions", "needs to remember that other kids need to ask questions." Advancement is not proving possible and differentiation of curriculum at Holton is turning out to be just not enough. Some of the teachers actually seem to be annoyed that my daughter does well academically, so they seem to pick at and try to over-grade on less important things (for example, cursive hand-writing/letter formation when she can type!). We are seriously considering moving to public school, where very gifted children can be advanced a grade, if need be. Holton has made it clear that grade advancement does not happen "under any circumstance." (and I quote with that last bit.)

Grading on handwriting is not "over-grading," its grading. I have a DS who cannot write to save his life because of developmental issues, and has to use a keyboard, but is nonetheless graded on handwriting so that the school, and subsequent teachers can see how challenging it is for him. Letter formation is actually an important skill that all elementary schools teach and you should welsome the fact that they aren't letting this slide.

If your daughter is "that girl" who is dominating the classroom time, this is not a good thing. Questions are great, but participating in a community is great as well and she has to learn how not to suck all the air out of the room if she's going to get anywhere in life. It isn't only about her. The teachers should be available to answer questions outside of class. If you continue to insist that they cater to her, and that she is justified in demanding all the attention, you aren't doing her any favors.

This would be an issue, BTW, even if she is allowed to advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you have heard an NCS alum say they would choose Holton. I know several NCS students who would never choose the school for their own daughters.

I am an NCS alum who sends her daughter to NCS and is thrilled with the education she is receiving. I believe it is a better place than when i was there and I know many other alums whose daughters currently attend. There seems to be a feeling on the part of some Holton parents that they need to tear down NCS in order to promote their school. This is silly -- they are both good schools and I don't begrudge someone choosing Holton instead of NCS.

[Anonymous]

I agree pp. Both schools are better than most schools in the US. Kids from both do great.

[Anonymous]

I completely agree with the previous poster. Let's try to let our girls know that stereotyping and discrimination starts with pride but, can end if we all model humility. As a Holton parent, I would love for the snide comments to end. Peace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Mom of a recent Holton Grad. She was there all the way thru lower school to 12th grade. I don't know why anyone says Holton has a great science/math program. In fact, it is a huge weakness of Holton. They have one engineering class in 5th grade where they make helicopters. That is it.

Overall, I love the school, it is academically very challenging, but there is much love from the faculty. But not for everyone.

My daughter is currently in the lower school at Holton. We love the hands on approach of the science department. It is the only academic department that has really opened its arms to my daughter, and the only place on her report card that doesn't say (negatively) "continually wants to ask questions", "always raising hand to ask questions", "needs to remember that other kids need to ask questions." Advancement is not proving possible and differentiation of curriculum at Holton is turning out to be just not enough. Some of the teachers actually seem to be annoyed that my daughter does well academically, so they seem to pick at and try to over-grade on less important things (for example, cursive hand-writing/letter formation when she can type!). We are seriously considering moving to public school, where very gifted children can be advanced a grade, if need be. Holton has made it clear that grade advancement does not happen "under any circumstance." (and I quote with that last bit.)

I have a male child who is a bit older, at a different school, and highly gifted. When he gets comments that say he is impatient with other students or that he needs to give other kids a chance to ask questions, I talk to him about it - correcting his behavior, not the teacher's. The teacher is right, he has a right to learn but so do the other kids in the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you have heard an NCS alum say they would choose Holton. I know several NCS students who would never choose the school for their own daughters.

I am an NCS alum who sends her daughter to NCS and is thrilled with the education she is receiving. I believe it is a better place than when i was there and I know many other alums whose daughters currently attend. There seems to be a feeling on the part of some Holton parents that they need to tear down NCS in order to promote their school. This is silly -- they are both good schools and I don't begrudge someone choosing Holton instead of NCS.

I wrote the first quote and am not a Holton parent. I am sure as an NCS alum you are a good cheerleader for the school and you must realize many of us know who the alums are and are quiet around you. I think it is a good school academically but it is limited. The administration has some serious problems with their attitudes towards students and parents. If you are not having these discussions, you are in the minority. The school does not embrace individuality, leadership or risk taking. Academics are very good almost anywhere at the top public and privates.

And as for " many other alums whose daughters currently attend" I don't believe that is the case. I would bet there are only a couple to a few per grade if that many. So please do not act as though you speak for large percentage of the population.