Holton Arms has the most spoiled children.

Anonymous wrote:It’s very difficult to compare private schools to magnet programs at public schools. Probably fair to say that Holton is the most rigorous private school in Maryland (with Landon, Georgetown Prep and Stone Ridge in the conversation). How these to private schools stack up against the magnet programs at some public schools is an open question.

Holton does offer 9th grade Algebra, so there are some kids taking "less rigorous" classes ... it also offers Algebra 2/Trig for 9th graders which is in line with a "rigorous" course selection.

I think this is also similar to most private and public schools.

Could you point to something in Holton's course offerings that suggest that their whole student body is taking a "more rigorous" work load than any other student in any other private school in MD? I even would venture to guess that a top student at Whitman is taking just as rigorous a workload as the top student at Holton.

This is a very myopic way to look at schools.

The question is, what is your child's specific goal and does Holton offer courses (and an environment) that will help your child attain those goals. Are there other schools in MD that would also foster your child and ensure she could attain her goals.

Obviously Landon and GP are not going to do that, if you have a daughter. Could Stone Ridge? Could another MD school?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holton-Arms is the highest ranked Maryland school on this list:

http://apps.washingtonpost.com/local/highschoolchallenge/schools/2014/list/private/holton-arms-p-bethesda-md/

The linked report also claims that Holton has an AVERAGE ACT composite score of 33, which, if true, would be astounding because a composite ACT score of 33 puts a student in the 99% of college bound students.

This list has been discredited by many.

Hard to find a ranking that isn't attacked by many unsatisfied with the results. Take them all for what they are worth. The Washington Post is a pretty solid source in the overall scheme of things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why extend a silly debate to another region?

Because it is relevant to private schools in Maryland, including those in the DMV that are discussed frequently here.

It's still silly. What is the point? To award one school or another a gold star? There are many good schools. There are many ways to measure rigor.

Anonymous wrote:Holton-Arms is the highest ranked Maryland school on this list:

http://apps.washingtonpost.com/local/highschoolchallenge/schools/2014/list/private/holton-arms-p-bethesda-md/

The linked report also claims that Holton has an AVERAGE ACT composite score of 33, which, if true, would be astounding because a composite ACT score of 33 puts a student in the 99% of college bound students.

This list has been discredited by many.

It’s very difficult to compare private schools to magnet programs at public schools. Probably fair to say that Holton is the most rigorous private school in Maryland (with Landon, Georgetown Prep and Stone Ridge in the conversation). How these to private schools stack up against the magnet programs at some public schools is an open question.

I doubt that Holton Arms is the "most rigorous." It is certainly one of the most expensive which lends to that impression, but many schools are rigorous, some in one area more than another. It comes down to the kind of academic environment that best fits the needs and capabilities of a particular student. I wouldn't fall into the trap of confusing a good education with social prestige.

RM/IB

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/rmhs/ib/2013-14%20IB_Insert.pdf

They had 34 NMSF this year out of 100 kids. 41 or 42 last year out of 100 also.

Holton-Arms is the highest ranked Maryland school on this list:

http://apps.washingtonpost.com/local/highschoolchallenge/schools/2014/list/private/holton-arms-p-bethesda-md/

The linked report also claims that Holton has an AVERAGE ACT composite score of 33, which, if true, would be astounding because a composite ACT score of 33 puts a student in the 99% of college bound students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um No. Magnet/STEM/IB programs would rank as high if not higher. Many of the signature programs in schools would also rank higher.

Really? Are there stats to back that up? Not to say some schools don't have difficult programs that challenge top students, but for overall rigor Blair might be the only one.

Do you have stats? I know kids all over the county (I tutor STEM classes) and I can compare class to class the rigor. Yes, the rigor is the same/higher depending on what the student can handle. I would also say that you are only talking about the top 25% of the Holton girls. Because once you get below that level they do not necessarily take the most rigorous classes nor do they perform at the highest level. I can say that about any "rigorous school".

Anonymous wrote:Um No. Magnet/STEM/IB programs would rank as high if not higher. Many of the signature programs in schools would also rank higher.

Really? Are there stats to back that up? Not to say some schools don't have difficult programs that challenge top students, but for overall rigor Blair might be the only one.

Um No. Magnet/STEM/IB programs would rank as high if not higher. Many of the signature programs in schools would also rank higher.

Anonymous wrote:Why extend a silly debate to another region?

Because it is relevant to private schools in Maryland, including those in the DMV that are discussed frequently here.

Why extend a silly debate to another region?

I've followed the never ending debate concerning which of the DC schools is most rigorous, but I’m wondering whether there is any school in the State of Maryland that even approaches the rigor of Holton-Arms? I’m curious because I know that some larger colleges evaluate applications on a state by state or region by region basis and Maryland school applicants are sometimes considered separately from DC and Virginia applicants.