Anonymous wrote:We chose NCS for fourth. The facilities at NCS are far superior and more updated. We were more impressed by the teachers and engagement of the classes we observed at NCS. The older girls at holton looked surly and the campus is run down. Wasn’t as impressed by the teachers we observed. Our daughter liked that the older girls don’t wear uniforms and have some more coed opportunities. It’s pretty individual.

LOL at this poster surly?!? Maybe tired (like most hard working girls are). And when was the last time you were on Holton’s campus? You’re clearly out of touch.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose NCS for fourth. The facilities at NCS are far superior and more updated. We were more impressed by the teachers and engagement of the classes we observed at NCS. The older girls at holton looked surly and the campus is run down. Wasn’t as impressed by the teachers we observed. Our daughter liked that the older girls don’t wear uniforms and have some more coed opportunities. It’s pretty individual.

Wow! Some people may wonder why there are so many mean girls at elite schools. Well, "apple does not fall far from the tree". What kind of mother describes another school's students as " surly". This mother is nasty + I bet her kid is mean too. It is one thing to feel good about your school -- you don't have to slander another in the process. Ewww!

🙄 My first hand observations and individual opinions aren’t slander. Calling me “nasty” and my child mean is, however. I’m not denigrating the school, I’m sure it’s a great school. This is what we based our choice on, however. You can only go by what you see.

+1

Anonymous wrote:We chose NCS for fourth. The facilities at NCS are far superior and more updated. We were more impressed by the teachers and engagement of the classes we observed at NCS. The older girls at holton looked surly and the campus is run down. Wasn’t as impressed by the teachers we observed. Our daughter liked that the older girls don’t wear uniforms and have some more coed opportunities. It’s pretty individual.

Wow! Some people may wonder why there are so many mean girls at elite schools. Well, "apple does not fall far from the tree". What kind of mother describes another school's students as " surly". This mother is nasty + I bet her kid is mean too. It is one thing to feel good about your school -- you don't have to slander another in the process. Ewww!

Anonymous wrote:We chose NCS for fourth. The facilities at NCS are far superior and more updated. We were more impressed by the teachers and engagement of the classes we observed at NCS. The older girls at holton looked surly and the campus is run down. Wasn’t as impressed by the teachers we observed. Our daughter liked that the older girls don’t wear uniforms and have some more coed opportunities. It’s pretty individual.

I disagree re: the Holton campus being rundown and the older girls looking surly.

We chose NCS for fourth. The facilities at NCS are far superior and more updated. We were more impressed by the teachers and engagement of the classes we observed at NCS. The older girls at holton looked surly and the campus is run down. Wasn’t as impressed by the teachers we observed. Our daughter liked that the older girls don’t wear uniforms and have some more coed opportunities. It’s pretty individual.

Holton parent here. Great advice so far. Holton has extensive bus system and is open to new routes and stops per interest. We use the bus and it’s 10 min to get her there. Technically NCS is closer to me but the bus makes it easy. We even have a late bus for sports and extended day.

There have been a lot of threads about these schools over the last few months. Some kids thrive at any school, others do not. My DD loves NCS; other posters will tell you the opposite for their DDs. Both viewpoints are valid, and they are both good schools. A family should choose the one where their daughter feels most comfortable, and if applicable, the one that is closest to their house.

I would go with whichever is closer to where you live. Both are grinds and I agree with an earlier poster that both have mean girls. There is extreme wealth at both schools. I would not want to be a scholarship case at either.

Similarities: both schools have great academics and are single-sexed (obviously). There are mean girls at both schools, just like there are mean girls (and people) at every school.

Differences: NCS has a closer relationship with STA than Holton does with Landon, which means there are more opportunities for coeducational experiences, both in and out of class; Holton is located in Montgomery County right near the Beltway, while NCS is in the thick of things on Wisconsin (for better or for worse); NCS is an Episcopal day school, while Holton has no religious affiliation.

I went to NCS many a year ago, I would have picked Holton had my parents applied and got in.

We know lots of people who went to NCS and looking back the vast majority did not enjoy the experience. Holton grads seem more positive. NCS does have the mean girl association as well.

What are the main differences? Hearing about girls who got into both choosing Holton. Is it the intensity?