Culture of Holton-Arms

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:What do high school parents think of the physics first science curriculum at Holton?
Did it work for your girls? Did it get them to like physics and then take more advanced physics later on?

Love it—Freshman Physics teacher is a favorite and definitely made my daughter more interested in science. It has a good combination of instruction and hands on activities (ie egg drop, etc). She’s since taken Honors Chem and is in Honors Bio. She plans to take Advanced Physics senior year.

So physics is not taken AFTER geometry or algebra II??? It’s taken freshman year? How much math is used then?

It is a conceptual class. Very low level of math needed

Why bother? No other school does this. Is it a way for a liberal arts person to put a watered down version of high school physics on their transcript and hope a college accomplishments thinks it’s normal HS physics?

Do the 9th graders have to take Physics Lite or can they skip that if they plan on doing Honors Physics? Do any 9th graders take the AP Physics exam even with taking Physics Lite?

There is Honors Physics in 9th that requires more advanced math than the regular physics. For those who want to take the AP exam, they would also take Advanced Physics normally Junior or Senior year.

Can 9th grade girls who were at Holton for 7th/8th (and therefore two years of algebra I, no geometry as noted above) qualify to take honors physics in 9th grade, or is honors physics only open to the incoming students who are in Algebra II during ninth grade, having competed geometry before entering Holton?

Thank you.

Yes, my DD took honors geometry and honors physics in 9th grade.

Several MS Holton girls take algebra 2 honors and honors physics in 9th grade.

To be clear, the current freshmen class is the first one to go through the changed math curriculum in MS. This means they are the first ones to experience the Algebra 1 course over two years. In that group, only 1 or 2 girls from Holton MS placed into Algebra 2 honors. There are a number of girls in the Integrated Math class, which is planned to lead the girls to the same level as the Algebra 2 girls by junior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I agree that US is a heavy workload. The rest, however, doesn’t match my DD’s experience. She regularly studies with friends and isn’t competitive with them. They all want to do well, but they help each other out. And while we can afford it, no Louis Vuitton bags here. Nor do any of her friends have them. There are roughly 90 girls in each grade. Like any school, you will find a variety of kids and personalities, most of whom are nice, supportive, and down to earth.

We are a family with a senior and I would agree that much of that does not match my DD's experiences at all. I'm not even sure I would call the workload heavy - just rigorous. But the sequence of expectations and coursework build to it over the years so there has never been a time when she would have said unmanageable (even with a club sport and plenty of social events).

I feel as though the clique issue is there, but very subtle. There are very few girls in my DD's class that she would describe as lonely. Sure, a group of girls might be tight and only hang out with each other, etc. but those groups are throughout the grade and looking at the friend groups, she would say there is a group for everyone that wants one. The school also does a very good job with scheduling so if you find that there is too much homework, the student is likely not using their study hall time wisely. I will say that I've heard that other grades are better / worse than the current senior class, and it would be hard to figure out which type of class mix you would be joining.

I find that what parents perceive as their child's experience at a school vs. what their child's actual experience at the school end up to be are vastly different.

I was alarmed by the post referring to the cliquey culture to ask my DD about HA social atmosphere. According to DD, the only thing she has heard her peers complain about is how tough the academics are, especially history honors and the required amount of reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I agree that US is a heavy workload. The rest, however, doesn’t match my DD’s experience. She regularly studies with friends and isn’t competitive with them. They all want to do well, but they help each other out. And while we can afford it, no Louis Vuitton bags here. Nor do any of her friends have them. There are roughly 90 girls in each grade. Like any school, you will find a variety of kids and personalities, most of whom are nice, supportive, and down to earth.

We are a family with a senior and I would agree that much of that does not match my DD's experiences at all. I'm not even sure I would call the workload heavy - just rigorous. But the sequence of expectations and coursework build to it over the years so there has never been a time when she would have said unmanageable (even with a club sport and plenty of social events).

I feel as though the clique issue is there, but very subtle. There are very few girls in my DD's class that she would describe as lonely. Sure, a group of girls might be tight and only hang out with each other, etc. but those groups are throughout the grade and looking at the friend groups, she would say there is a group for everyone that wants one. The school also does a very good job with scheduling so if you find that there is too much homework, the student is likely not using their study hall time wisely. I will say that I've heard that other grades are better / worse than the current senior class, and it would be hard to figure out which type of class mix you would be joining.

I find that what parents perceive as their child's experience at a school vs. what their child's actual experience at the school end up to be are vastly different.

I was alarmed by the post referring to the cliquey culture to ask my DD about HA social atmosphere. According to DD, the only thing she has heard her peers complain about is how tough the academics are, especially history honors and the required amount of reading.

Yes, no social issues according to our daughters. They do say that there are friend groups, but that they aren't really that rigid year on year and what they describe seems pretty normal and not concerning to me or to them. We've found the school including Upper to be all that we were looking for, other than I wish the school were maybe 25% bigger. It is big enough for differentiation and good extracurriculars but it feels like a few more students and it would provide for a little more in the arts and theater programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I agree that US is a heavy workload. The rest, however, doesn’t match my DD’s experience. She regularly studies with friends and isn’t competitive with them. They all want to do well, but they help each other out. And while we can afford it, no Louis Vuitton bags here. Nor do any of her friends have them. There are roughly 90 girls in each grade. Like any school, you will find a variety of kids and personalities, most of whom are nice, supportive, and down to earth.

We are a family with a senior and I would agree that much of that does not match my DD's experiences at all. I'm not even sure I would call the workload heavy - just rigorous. But the sequence of expectations and coursework build to it over the years so there has never been a time when she would have said unmanageable (even with a club sport and plenty of social events).

I feel as though the clique issue is there, but very subtle. There are very few girls in my DD's class that she would describe as lonely. Sure, a group of girls might be tight and only hang out with each other, etc. but those groups are throughout the grade and looking at the friend groups, she would say there is a group for everyone that wants one. The school also does a very good job with scheduling so if you find that there is too much homework, the student is likely not using their study hall time wisely. I will say that I've heard that other grades are better / worse than the current senior class, and it would be hard to figure out which type of class mix you would be joining.

I find that what parents perceive as their child's experience at a school vs. what their child's actual experience at the school end up to be are vastly different.

What do you mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do high school parents think of the physics first science curriculum at Holton?
Did it work for your girls? Did it get them to like physics and then take more advanced physics later on?

Love it—Freshman Physics teacher is a favorite and definitely made my daughter more interested in science. It has a good combination of instruction and hands on activities (ie egg drop, etc). She’s since taken Honors Chem and is in Honors Bio. She plans to take Advanced Physics senior year.

So physics is not taken AFTER geometry or algebra II??? It’s taken freshman year? How much math is used then?

It is a conceptual class. Very low level of math needed

Why bother? No other school does this. Is it a way for a liberal arts person to put a watered down version of high school physics on their transcript and hope a college accomplishments thinks it’s normal HS physics?

Do the 9th graders have to take Physics Lite or can they skip that if they plan on doing Honors Physics? Do any 9th graders take the AP Physics exam even with taking Physics Lite?

There is Honors Physics in 9th that requires more advanced math than the regular physics. For those who want to take the AP exam, they would also take Advanced Physics normally Junior or Senior year.

Can 9th grade girls who were at Holton for 7th/8th (and therefore two years of algebra I, no geometry as noted above) qualify to take honors physics in 9th grade, or is honors physics only open to the incoming students who are in Algebra II during ninth grade, having competed geometry before entering Holton?

Thank you.

Yes, my DD took honors geometry and honors physics in 9th grade.

Several MS Holton girls take algebra 2 honors and honors physics in 9th grade.

Of course they do, but that wasn’t the question. The question was if you had to be in Algebra 2 if order to take honors physics. And the answer is no — my daughter and several others took honors physics while taking geometry.

[Anonymous]

Our DD experienced bullying by a girl in middle school (made fun of her appearance and that she “looked super Jewish.”) We felt the school handled it very well and appropriately disciplined the girl in question. I think this was more of an issue with this particular child than it was an issue with HA. Sharing as a positive for the school and the swift action they take, when needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DD experienced bullying by a girl in middle school (made fun of her appearance and that she “looked super Jewish.”) We felt the school handled it very well and appropriately disciplined the girl in question. I think this was more of an issue with this particular child than it was an issue with HA. Sharing as a positive for the school and the swift action they take, when needed.

I’m glad to hear this. When my daughter experienced middle school bullying, the school was unwilling even to let the girl’s parents know. One of the girl’s parents was on the board. While the girls can be cliquish, the school exacerbates the problem by maintaining the pecking order.

Academically, Holton is strong but they have done a lousy job teaching math for years, depending on parents who supplement with tutors or outside programs. It did not start with the previous middle school head. They haven’t quite gotten the formula down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DD experienced bullying by a girl in middle school (made fun of her appearance and that she “looked super Jewish.”) We felt the school handled it very well and appropriately disciplined the girl in question. I think this was more of an issue with this particular child than it was an issue with HA. Sharing as a positive for the school and the swift action they take, when needed.

Holton has days off for Jewish holidays, I assume due to the relatively high number of Jewish students and teachers. Glad they handled it well.

[Anonymous]

Do you love HA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you love HA?

My DD does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do high school parents think of the physics first science curriculum at Holton?
Did it work for your girls? Did it get them to like physics and then take more advanced physics later on?

Love it—Freshman Physics teacher is a favorite and definitely made my daughter more interested in science. It has a good combination of instruction and hands on activities (ie egg drop, etc). She’s since taken Honors Chem and is in Honors Bio. She plans to take Advanced Physics senior year.

So physics is not taken AFTER geometry or algebra II??? It’s taken freshman year? How much math is used then?

It is a conceptual class. Very low level of math needed

Why bother? No other school does this. Is it a way for a liberal arts person to put a watered down version of high school physics on their transcript and hope a college accomplishments thinks it’s normal HS physics?

Do the 9th graders have to take Physics Lite or can they skip that if they plan on doing Honors Physics? Do any 9th graders take the AP Physics exam even with taking Physics Lite?

There is Honors Physics in 9th that requires more advanced math than the regular physics. For those who want to take the AP exam, they would also take Advanced Physics normally Junior or Senior year.

Can 9th grade girls who were at Holton for 7th/8th (and therefore two years of algebra I, no geometry as noted above) qualify to take honors physics in 9th grade, or is honors physics only open to the incoming students who are in Algebra II during ninth grade, having competed geometry before entering Holton?

Thank you.

Yes, my DD took honors geometry and honors physics in 9th grade.

Several MS Holton girls take algebra 2 honors and honors physics in 9th grade.

Of course they do, but that wasn’t the question. The question was if you had to be in Algebra 2 if order to take honors physics. And the answer is no — my daughter and several others took honors physics while taking geometry.

Geometry is covered in high school and not 8th grade for honors students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do high school parents think of the physics first science curriculum at Holton?
Did it work for your girls? Did it get them to like physics and then take more advanced physics later on?

Love it—Freshman Physics teacher is a favorite and definitely made my daughter more interested in science. It has a good combination of instruction and hands on activities (ie egg drop, etc). She’s since taken Honors Chem and is in Honors Bio. She plans to take Advanced Physics senior year.

So physics is not taken AFTER geometry or algebra II??? It’s taken freshman year? How much math is used then?

It is a conceptual class. Very low level of math needed

Why bother? No other school does this. Is it a way for a liberal arts person to put a watered down version of high school physics on their transcript and hope a college accomplishments thinks it’s normal HS physics?

Do the 9th graders have to take Physics Lite or can they skip that if they plan on doing Honors Physics? Do any 9th graders take the AP Physics exam even with taking Physics Lite?

There is Honors Physics in 9th that requires more advanced math than the regular physics. For those who want to take the AP exam, they would also take Advanced Physics normally Junior or Senior year.

Can 9th grade girls who were at Holton for 7th/8th (and therefore two years of algebra I, no geometry as noted above) qualify to take honors physics in 9th grade, or is honors physics only open to the incoming students who are in Algebra II during ninth grade, having competed geometry before entering Holton?

Thank you.

Yes, my DD took honors geometry and honors physics in 9th grade.

Several MS Holton girls take algebra 2 honors and honors physics in 9th grade.

Of course they do, but that wasn’t the question. The question was if you had to be in Algebra 2 if order to take honors physics. And the answer is no — my daughter and several others took honors physics while taking geometry.

Geometry is covered in high school and not 8th grade for honors students?

Not sure if you are a troll or trying to stir up trouble. But there is not one honors track that all “honors” students are on. Students can be in honors physics and honors geometry at the same time. Other students might take honors physics and regular geometry or vice versa. And some students are in honors algebra 2 (or what is now the integrated math pathway) and honors physics or maybe one honors and one regular.
Not sure why that is so hard to understand.

[Anonymous]

Attended Choate Rosemary Hall in the late 90's and they followed the same model of Physics, Chemistry, Biology. They still do, per their course catalogue, and I remember other top NE boarding schools following the same pattern. The concepts were taught with formulas provided for each topic and lab experiment without diving into the higher math - derivatives, etc. It was impactful in fostering a deeper interest in science through experimentation and introducing math in sciences when most students pre-high school haven't been exposed to higher level math in science class. Studying Calc after the fact Jr. year brought some Ahhah moments related to freshman physics studies, but I can't say, in my experience, there were meaningful negative impacts resulting from this sequence of coursework.

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1649165852/choate/vlna2xgsqtxiruxw1htq/Choate-Course-Catalogue-22-23.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attended Choate Rosemary Hall in the late 90's and they followed the same model of Physics, Chemistry, Biology. They still do, per their course catalogue, and I remember other top NE boarding schools following the same pattern. The concepts were taught with formulas provided for each topic and lab experiment without diving into the higher math - derivatives, etc. It was impactful in fostering a deeper interest in science through experimentation and introducing math in sciences when most students pre-high school haven't been exposed to higher level math in science class. Studying Calc after the fact Jr. year brought some Ahhah moments related to freshman physics studies, but I can't say, in my experience, there were meaningful negative impacts resulting from this sequence of coursework.

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1649165852/choate/vlna2xgsqtxiruxw1htq/Choate-Course-Catalogue-22-23.pdf

All the angst about losing honors math at Holton may or may not be a problem, depending on how your child’s strengths. But the real oddity was how the significant curriculum change was implemented. Questions/concerns were not tolerated. The attitude was get in line or get out. I actually didn’t have so many questions until I saw that reaction to those who did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attended Choate Rosemary Hall in the late 90's and they followed the same model of Physics, Chemistry, Biology. They still do, per their course catalogue, and I remember other top NE boarding schools following the same pattern. The concepts were taught with formulas provided for each topic and lab experiment without diving into the higher math - derivatives, etc. It was impactful in fostering a deeper interest in science through experimentation and introducing math in sciences when most students pre-high school haven't been exposed to higher level math in science class. Studying Calc after the fact Jr. year brought some Ahhah moments related to freshman physics studies, but I can't say, in my experience, there were meaningful negative impacts resulting from this sequence of coursework.

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1649165852/choate/vlna2xgsqtxiruxw1htq/Choate-Course-Catalogue-22-23.pdf

All the angst about losing honors math at Holton may or may not be a problem, depending on how your child’s strengths. But the real oddity was how the significant curriculum change was implemented. Questions/concerns were not tolerated. The attitude was get in line or get out. I actually didn’t have so many questions until I saw that reaction to those who did.

This is my issue +1000 —Holton parent.