Holton or NCS - Help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don't speak for anyone but myself but your vehemence is very odd, especially since you have no direct connection to NCS. I attended a gathering of alumni with daughters at the school just a few weeks ago and it was a crowded room, with some moms I know went to NCS not there. I have direct knowledge of this, you don't. And I don't doubt there are unhappy parents, there are unhappy parents everywhere. Most of the parents there are happy. Honestly, I don't care if anyone here sends their daughter to NCS, I just chimed in to correct the misconception that graduates don't send their daughters there.

[Anonymous]

OP, 4 people in any room at NCS is a crowded room.

[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.

This just isn't true. There are two engineering couses in the upper school. They were profiled in the Washington Post for it within the past year, as they're the only girls school in the country who can boast that. I wonder if maybe they're electives and your daughter just didn't take them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don't speak for anyone but myself but your vehemence is very odd, especially since you have no direct connection to NCS. I attended a gathering of alumni with daughters at the school just a few weeks ago and it was a crowded room, with some moms I know went to NCS not there. I have direct knowledge of this, you don't. And I don't doubt there are unhappy parents, there are unhappy parents everywhere. Most of the parents there are happy. Honestly, I don't care if anyone here sends their daughter to NCS, I just chimed in to correct the misconception that graduates don't send their daughters there.

The response was that current students and recent grads, many of whom I do know, (I do have a "connection") would not send their daughters to the school.

[Anonymous]

to above:

of course current students and recent grads wouldnt send their kids there.... most teens, regardless of school, are angsty. with 25 years and some perspective my guess is many will change their minds.

also, i am not an NCS parent or considering a cathedral school or holton. but your arguments are ridiculous!

[Anonymous]

to PP you are wrong. Many of the area privates engender tremendous school pride and loyalty even among the teens currently enrolled. These intelligent, accomplished, creative and exceptionally intelligent young women have weighed their experiences against their peers and their experience has come up short.

I do not want to attempt to speak for "many" parents but in our discussions about why this could be the case we wondered if was the all girl envirnment, the too small setting, the administration's attitude towards the girls.

I doubt the answer would be the same for each girl but there is a saying on the close it goes like this-

St. Albans takes ordinary boys and makes them feel extraordinary and NCS takes extraordinary girls and makes them feel ordinary".

[Anonymous]

intelligent and exceptionally talented

oops.

[Anonymous]

I'm the NCS grad/mom and its clear that PP has some kind of bizarre axe to grind. I live in that world. I went to NCS, have a daughter there and have known girls in classes in between. It isn't for everyone -- what school is? I know grads of Holton who hated it. So what? I still think Holton can be a great school for most girls. I could tell you horror stories I've heard first hand about all the schools we discuss on these boards. Wonderful stories too.

In my direct experience -- which is extensive -- its a great school and I have known faculty and administrators to go above and beyond in supporting the girls there. Readers here can listen to someone with no connection to the school but some kind of weird second0hand anger, or those actually connected to the school. This isn't a competition. There are not enough slots at private schools for everyone who wants to attend so we don't need to fight over applicants. And obviously serious applicants will visit the schools themselves and not get their information form an anonymous website. PP, this is a silly waste of your time.

[Anonymous]

11:51 You are obviously the one with an axe to grind. There is no anger, my connection is not weird, and I am not saying there are any horror stories. Quite the contrary. I am saying reasonable, intelligent young women have assessed their experience and said "big deal". These are girls who brought a lot to the table and did not get as much in return. Perhaps you and your daughter have benefitted more than you gave. Good for you both. There are many of us walking around scratching our heads wondering who this school is good for. You have given us all the answer. Legacies.

[Anonymous]

NCS clearly is the gold standard. You can tell by all the hate it illicits on this forum. Holton is a good school too, but NCS is the best all girls school in this region. Don't let the sock puppets with axes to grind fool you. People love to hate those on top. It's why NCS, Sidwell and STA get such harsh hatred on here, but you never hear their communities disparage other schools. That alone speaks volume.

[Anonymous]

That would be a hard decision to make. Consider your DD lucky if she has to choose between the two. Truly a win-win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cannot comment on Holton, but NCS is filled with highly judgmental overly involved Moms. It is a shark tank socially and academically. Not a warm loving, nurturing environment. You might want to ask both schools about the prevalence of anorexia.

Oh please. I'm an NCS mom and haven't posted on this thread because while I think its a great school, I was hesitant to (1) jump into the typical DCUM hostility-fest, and (2) I really think both schools are good and this should ultimately come down to things like distance and whether the girl prefers math/science (a Holton strength) or humanities (an NCS strength).

But its hard not to feel personally attacked here. I don't think there are more overinvolved parents at NCS than at other privates and I don't know why you think we're judgmental. I'm not the one posting here, slamming other schools. And the anorexia thing is a total myth. There are absolutely not more cases of it at NCS than other schools. I have actually found it to be quite nurturing and supportive. My DD has a lovely, caring advisor who provides a lot of individualized attention to DD and recognizes and nurtures her strengths while helping her with any roadblocks. She and her friends look out for each other. And the academics are top-notch.

I think that the anorexia accusation should be challenged as well. I commute up Macomb st to get to Wisconsin nearly EVERY morning of the year. I get stuck at the NCS crossing nearly everyday as the NCS girls cross the road like geese on their way to 1st period. Lot's of cute
outfits, never seen a girl who looked under weight

About two decades ago, a Holton student died of anorexia. After the fact, Holton instituted a comprehensive anorexia prevention education program, which I trust has been effective to reduce the incidence of anorexia there. I sense that Holton parlayed the anorexia tragedy into the current "Holton cares for the whole child" claim. For a Holton supporter to relentlessly attack NCS on the topic is appalling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever you do... do NOT use this anonymous forum for such a big decision. While I understand there is some objective advice, very few individuals can genuinely speak for both schools. Also, many people have axes to grind or are hoping for a wait list to open up and will direct you to the other school.

Both are excellent schools - you are fortunate. Visit both schools and talk to current families. If it is a toss up; then consider commute (location ultimately impacts the student body. While both draw from the entire area - chances are that the largest pool of students will be closer to the school). Also consider your daughter's opinion.

Good luck!

This.
OP, they are both great schools. Geography is important. Not so much the daily commute, although that matters, but rather where DD lives in relation to most of her classmates. Do not underestimate the importance of this. If I remember correctly from your original post, NCS might be the better choice. Not an alum of either nor past/ current parent. So, I do not have a "dog in this fight." OH! and uniforms can matter a lot. So, that too, is something to consider. Seems trivial but believe me, with girls it is not.