Anonymous
02/02/2026 10:30
Subject: Re:Is Holton still a good option?
Heard from a Holton parent that it was transformative for her DD - she would have been ‘just regular’ at her MCPS public but got to be on teams and do activities she would have never been able to make the cut for at MCPS school due to the competition. DD got Ivy admission so they are thrilled with their outcome.
Anonymous
02/02/2026 09:25
Subject: Is Holton still a good option?
Holton is a great school. Ignore the disgruntled posters and see for yourself.
Anonymous
02/02/2026 08:29
Subject: Is Holton still a good option?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My kid went to HYP after Holton + said they were very well prepared by Holton compared to students from other schools.
But is it better than a STEM magnet like Blair?
This is an impossible comparison. Totally depends on the kid.
Holton students are well prepared for college (many at top schools).
Holton has some excellent STEM classes but will never have the variety of courses that a large Magnet STEM school has.
Holton has small class sizes and much more individualized attention.
A blanket statement that one is better than the other can't be made because it is so kid dependent.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 20:11
Subject: Is Holton still a good option?
Anonymous wrote:My kid went to HYP after Holton + said they were very well prepared by Holton compared to students from other schools.
But is it better than a STEM magnet like Blair?
Anonymous
01/31/2026 19:34
Subject: Is Holton still a good option?
My kid went to HYP after Holton + said they were very well prepared by Holton compared to students from other schools.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 17:14
Subject: Re:Is Holton still a good option?
Anonymous wrote:You can see one set of rankings here:
https://www.niche.com/k12/holton-arms-school-bethesda-md/rankings/
No idea if Niche is accurate or not, but I did find this list of National Merit semifinalists by school interesting:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eH4WYg3mc8FIb9IhZGqvbIbcVIjXziJF/view
Holton had 12 on the list. I think the top non-magnet school in MCPS was Poolesville and they had 16. The top magnet (Blair) had 41.
But.. Holton has about 90 students in 12th grade, while Blair has about 700, and Poolesville has over 300.
I didn't run the numbers for all MoCo schools on that list, but at first glance, it appears Holton had the highest per-capital rate of national merit semifinalists of any school in the county.
Poolesville is also a magnet school
Anonymous
01/31/2026 15:19
Subject: Re:Is Holton still a good option?
Anonymous wrote:You can see one set of rankings here:
https://www.niche.com/k12/holton-arms-school-bethesda-md/rankings/
No idea if Niche is accurate or not, but I did find this list of National Merit semifinalists by school interesting:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eH4WYg3mc8FIb9IhZGqvbIbcVIjXziJF/view
Holton had 12 on the list. I think the top non-magnet school in MCPS was Poolesville and they had 16. The top magnet (Blair) had 41.
But.. Holton has about 90 students in 12th grade, while Blair has about 700, and Poolesville has over 300.
I didn't run the numbers for all MoCo schools on that list, but at first glance, it appears Holton had the highest per-capital rate of national merit semifinalists of any school in the county.
Blair has 700 total but only 100 in the stem magnet. Dunno size of CAP but prob not more than another 100.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 14:33
Subject: Re:Is Holton still a good option?
Holton parent. Please stop getting “news” about any school on DCUM. This is essentially an anonymous gossip sight. Try talking to like minded parents.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 14:13
Subject: Re:Is Holton still a good option?
Anonymous wrote:You can see one set of rankings here:
https://www.niche.com/k12/holton-arms-school-bethesda-md/rankings/
No idea if Niche is accurate or not, but I did find this list of National Merit semifinalists by school interesting:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eH4WYg3mc8FIb9IhZGqvbIbcVIjXziJF/view
Holton had 12 on the list. I think the top non-magnet school in MCPS was Poolesville and they had 16. The top magnet (Blair) had 41.
But.. Holton has about 90 students in 12th grade, while Blair has about 700, and Poolesville has over 300.
I didn't run the numbers for all MoCo schools on that list, but at first glance, it appears Holton had the highest per-capital rate of national merit semifinalists of any school in the county.
The 12 NMSF is an abberation. (The graduating class this year is more academic and less athletic than usual). The typical number for Holton is 5 (which is still good).
Anonymous
01/31/2026 14:10
Subject: Is Holton still a good option?
Anonymous wrote:Great choice with the new head. She was one of the first to open the school after the snow and has battled back against woke across campus.
What does the battle against woke look like concretely? We’re not conservative by any means, but I also want my kid going to a school that is accepting and tolerant.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 13:11
Subject: Is Holton still a good option?
Great choice with the new head. She was one of the first to open the school after the snow and has battled back against woke across campus.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 12:45
Subject: Is Holton still a good option?
Anonymous wrote:Interested in insights from parents of current Holton kids or very recent grads.
My girl is at Norwood. We’re a few years away from HS applications, but I’ve always thought Holton could be great for her.
She’s artsy but also loves math. Social and a little quirky. Good student.
But now I’m seeing all these posts about there being issues.
Is Holton still a good option?
In general for all private school: Toxic parents and teachers love this forum, so you will find toxic comments for most schools. For my daughter it is a great option. Try to talk to families that have been in two schools so they can accurately tell you the strengths of Holton relative to their previous schools. Is it perfect? Of course not, but it is way better than our alternative options.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 12:02
Subject: Re:Is Holton still a good option?
You can see one set of rankings here:
https://www.niche.com/k12/holton-arms-school-bethesda-md/rankings/
No idea if Niche is accurate or not, but I did find this list of National Merit semifinalists by school interesting:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eH4WYg3mc8FIb9IhZGqvbIbcVIjXziJF/view
Holton had 12 on the list. I think the top non-magnet school in MCPS was Poolesville and they had 16. The top magnet (Blair) had 41.
But.. Holton has about 90 students in 12th grade, while Blair has about 700, and Poolesville has over 300.
I didn't run the numbers for all MoCo schools on that list, but at first glance, it appears Holton had the highest per-capital rate of national merit semifinalists of any school in the county.
https://www.niche.com/k12/holton-arms-school-bethesda-md/rankings/
No idea if Niche is accurate or not, but I did find this list of National Merit semifinalists by school interesting:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eH4WYg3mc8FIb9IhZGqvbIbcVIjXziJF/view
Holton had 12 on the list. I think the top non-magnet school in MCPS was Poolesville and they had 16. The top magnet (Blair) had 41.
But.. Holton has about 90 students in 12th grade, while Blair has about 700, and Poolesville has over 300.
I didn't run the numbers for all MoCo schools on that list, but at first glance, it appears Holton had the highest per-capital rate of national merit semifinalists of any school in the county.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 11:55
Subject: Re:Is Holton still a good option?
I think some are a particular disgruntled poster or two with an axe to grind (I'm guessing their DD didn't get int; or an ex-teacher).
We have a DD at Holton and no complaints. Definitely have her visit all schools she's considering and talk to as many people as you can. That will be the best way to make a decision, not from random posters on here.
We have a DD at Holton and no complaints. Definitely have her visit all schools she's considering and talk to as many people as you can. That will be the best way to make a decision, not from random posters on here.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 11:48
Subject: Is Holton still a good option?
Interested in insights from parents of current Holton kids or very recent grads.
My girl is at Norwood. We’re a few years away from HS applications, but I’ve always thought Holton could be great for her.
She’s artsy but also loves math. Social and a little quirky. Good student.
But now I’m seeing all these posts about there being issues.
Is Holton still a good option?
My girl is at Norwood. We’re a few years away from HS applications, but I’ve always thought Holton could be great for her.
She’s artsy but also loves math. Social and a little quirky. Good student.
But now I’m seeing all these posts about there being issues.
Is Holton still a good option?