My DD was accepted to both Holton and SR, but chose a different all girls school. Holton was her favorite of the two and her second choice out of five schools. She liked that you could “minor” in art there and take art everyday, if you wanted to. We liked the “vibe of the school” when we visited - all the girls seemed really happy and lively. The admissions team was great and it just felt right. My DD didn’t enjoy her SR shadow day. She felt like the girls she was paired up with were disinterested and not very welcoming. That being said, we know lovely families at both schools. I really think it comes down to how your DD feels at her revisit days. Holton can be more academically demanding/more homework, so that should be a consideration. Good luck!

HA is better academically. SR is better if you are Catholic-- your girl will largely be with their own kind there with a smattering of non-Catholics.

I have daughters at one of these schools. And have very close friends with daughters at the other. First, if college admissions are your main interest, your daughter can have great outcomes at either of these schools. SR tends to have a higher percentage of girls who seek Catholic schools, so that skews those outcomes. Some of the facilities at Holton are better, some at SR are better. Which works for your daughter may depend on her interests. There are many girls at both schools on significant financial aid. At my daughters' school, I see the greatest impact, frankly, in college decisions when those girls who do not require financial aid can make decisions in a different way than those who do.

If you are not Catholic or at least Christian, choose HA

Anonymous wrote:HA is MUCH stronger academically.

(Ignore the hyperbolic responses - they are not from authentic parents with actual experience at these schools.) They are both excellent schools. Focus on the best fit for your daughter.

I too had different impression and thought Holton felt more well-rounded and classrooms/sports facilities were nicer than SR (though the new cafeteria at SR is awesome).

I also love the “find a way or make one” ideal. But understand how girls could be drawn to the sacred heart tradition at SR.

Just goes to show, to each their own.

Anonymous wrote:So, it’s obviously premature since we don’t know Holton acceptances yet, but can anyone speak to the differences in these two schools? There’s obviously the Catholic element, but I’m more interested in how the schools “feel” and the culture of both, particularly for a girl who would be on significant financial aid. Thanks!

Did you also apply to Holy Child?

Anonymous wrote:Holton is a glorified Public School????? Have you been to public schools?

I LOL at that too. Holton is for the uber elite + a few lucky scholarship (FA)cases that make the school look more diverse

HA is MUCH stronger academically.

Anonymous wrote:Holton is a glorified Public School????? Have you been to public schools?

Agreed. This is kind of odd, and a disservice to kids who attend both kinds of schools.

Holton is a glorified Public School????? Have you been to public schools?

Great choices to have. Neither is a bad choice. But, I did find Holton to have a more one dimensional aspect. It was more of a glorified public school with beautiful attributes. Whereas, SR at least has the required community service that you do weekly that made the girls seem more oriented towards the world vs being so insular. The sense of values at SR seem stronger.

I should add our daughter chose Holton because it felt like she could pursue a multitude of interests well there. And she has been happy.

But she has several friends at SR who are equally happy.

I don’t think you can make a bad choice between the two. We found both communities welcoming. SR feels more “old school” to me and Holton is more progressive. One of those approaches will speak to you more.

I also think of SR as slightly more sporty as a whole and Holton as more focused on the whole girl. But you will find athletic girls at Holton (some prefer it because the teams are smaller) and the arts at SR have some beloved teachers, I think.

So, it’s obviously premature since we don’t know Holton acceptances yet, but can anyone speak to the differences in these two schools? There’s obviously the Catholic element, but I’m more interested in how the schools “feel” and the culture of both, particularly for a girl who would be on significant financial aid. Thanks!