Lower School head at Holton is great. If you thought he was overly enthusiastic (the car salesman element?) - he isn't like that - but he is very excited about the school, and he knows every single student in LS. He really is great. Go to the school some normal time to look around (which you will have the opportunity to do). The students are very comfortable and having a lot of fun throughout the school. The LS girls may have been nervous and, yes, they would take talking about the school seriously. I know of no student who does not like Holton LS. My DD loves it - and she never has even liked a school before. And that is not to say she loves all of it - certain teachers she likes more than others, etc. But they are all very good. Great school. (I know people complain about Holton boosters, but it really is just a great school, and getting better all the time - a lot of momentum going its way now - from great academic possibilities to excellent sports coaching staff and teams).

Holton is a fantastic school and we thank our lucky stars we decided to send our DD there for middle school. She was accepted to NCS as well, but in the end, we went with our gut. She is thriving at Holton and couldn't be happier. Don't know much about the lower school as we are a new family. Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll make the choice that is right for your child.

Patrick is the opposite of arrogant, so it's a shame he came off that way to anyone. (Maybe his accent contributes to that impression?) He's done a great job of breathing new life into the Lower School, he's very much present in the day-to-day life of the school, and he knows all the girls and is accessible to the parents. He's definitely firm about sticking with decisions once he has made them, but I think a school needs that.

He is confident, kind, tough but fair, he brings out the best in the girls and, perhaps best of all -- he doesn't let the parents roll over him, whether they are donor, alum or general PIAs.

He is nothing of the sort. No, I won't defend some of the crazy booster parents, but the LS head is anything but arrogant. The girls were tired by Sunday afternoon, at least mine was, and they took their responsibility of talking about the school seriously...they weren't at recess.

I have heard wonderful things about the Lower School Head at Holton. What specifically did you not like about him?

Anonymous wrote:PP What did you not like about the Lower School Head? Did the kids look sad? I am really interested in both of these schools so I appreciate anything you can tell me.

He seemed like an arrogant car salesman, all in one if you can imagine that.
The kids might have been tired, they said they were happy. The teachers seemed nice though.

should be

KIds should be smiling, interacting with each other, making eye contact and even giggling. They should confident relaxed and yes, pp, happy.

Anonymous wrote:Lower school Holton: Did not like the head of school. Kids did not seem as happy as I would have liked. Otherwise it was OK, not great.

How happy should kids look when they are in school? These kids sound as if they are normal kids.

PP What did you not like about the Lower School Head? Did the kids look sad? I am really interested in both of these schools so I appreciate anything you can tell me.

Lower school Holton: Did not like the head of school. Kids did not seem as happy as I would have liked. Otherwise it was OK, not great.

Wifey attended Holton...more structured and organized than the others. A++

bump

Entire house got sick, just getting over the flu. We planned to attend both and missed them, how were they? Details please. TIA