Anonymous
11/05/2025 20:29
Subject: Holton Truth?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you want to know the real truth about Holton? Here it is: Holton is an incredible school with outstanding teachers and a stellar reputation. The English department deserves an award for the way it teaches students to write, and the Global Studies program is truly exemplary. Holton students are driven, talented, and intellectually curious. That’s the happy, real truth.
The sad, real truth is that Holton is currently struggling with leadership and management issues—and it starts at the top. The Head of School has “cleaned house,” and now, despite having more administrators than ever, day-to-day mismanagement is apparent. Frequent, last-minute schedule changes frustrate teachers, students, and parents alike. The fall production suffered, students taking the AMC math test were disrupted, and weekly some class loses instructional time because of conflicts and last-minute changes.
The numbers tell an important story: last year, only 68% of faculty donated to Holton (a sharp drop from the typical 95%), and 18 eighth graders left to attend other schools.
Holton will hopefully find its footing again, but if you’re considering the school, I recommend attending an Open House and asking specific questions—about the schedule, the new administration, and faculty retention (over 80 teachers have left in the past two years). Most importantly, ask how the school plans to ensure that every child’s needs are met. Good luck.
+1
Most of the information posted in old threads about administration and teacher turnover is true. There has definitely been a shift.
Over 80 teachers left?
Since the HOS started in 2023, yes, teachers and staff.
Who replaced them?
Anonymous
11/05/2025 20:25
Subject: Holton Truth?
My daughter just joined Holton and she is really enjoying the school. Glad that I have a life beyond the school and I am not too worried about the toxic comments. For me the HoS is fine as long as my daughter is happy.
Anonymous
11/05/2025 20:20
Subject: Holton Truth?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you want to know the real truth about Holton? Here it is: Holton is an incredible school with outstanding teachers and a stellar reputation. The English department deserves an award for the way it teaches students to write, and the Global Studies program is truly exemplary. Holton students are driven, talented, and intellectually curious. That’s the happy, real truth.
The sad, real truth is that Holton is currently struggling with leadership and management issues—and it starts at the top. The Head of School has “cleaned house,” and now, despite having more administrators than ever, day-to-day mismanagement is apparent. Frequent, last-minute schedule changes frustrate teachers, students, and parents alike. The fall production suffered, students taking the AMC math test were disrupted, and weekly some class loses instructional time because of conflicts and last-minute changes.
The numbers tell an important story: last year, only 68% of faculty donated to Holton (a sharp drop from the typical 95%), and 18 eighth graders left to attend other schools.
Holton will hopefully find its footing again, but if you’re considering the school, I recommend attending an Open House and asking specific questions—about the schedule, the new administration, and faculty retention (over 80 teachers have left in the past two years). Most importantly, ask how the school plans to ensure that every child’s needs are met. Good luck.
+1
Most of the information posted in old threads about administration and teacher turnover is true. There has definitely been a shift.
Over 80 teachers left?
Since the HOS started in 2023, yes, teachers and staff.
Anonymous
11/05/2025 20:17
Subject: Holton Truth?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you want to know the real truth about Holton? Here it is: Holton is an incredible school with outstanding teachers and a stellar reputation. The English department deserves an award for the way it teaches students to write, and the Global Studies program is truly exemplary. Holton students are driven, talented, and intellectually curious. That’s the happy, real truth.
The sad, real truth is that Holton is currently struggling with leadership and management issues—and it starts at the top. The Head of School has “cleaned house,” and now, despite having more administrators than ever, day-to-day mismanagement is apparent. Frequent, last-minute schedule changes frustrate teachers, students, and parents alike. The fall production suffered, students taking the AMC math test were disrupted, and weekly some class loses instructional time because of conflicts and last-minute changes.
The numbers tell an important story: last year, only 68% of faculty donated to Holton (a sharp drop from the typical 95%), and 18 eighth graders left to attend other schools.
Holton will hopefully find its footing again, but if you’re considering the school, I recommend attending an Open House and asking specific questions—about the schedule, the new administration, and faculty retention (over 80 teachers have left in the past two years). Most importantly, ask how the school plans to ensure that every child’s needs are met. Good luck.
+1
Most of the information posted in old threads about administration and teacher turnover is true. There has definitely been a shift.
Over 80 teachers left?
Anonymous
11/05/2025 19:55
Subject: Holton Truth?
My daughter graduated from Holton, not too long ago, and enjoyed most of our time there. The HOS is having a definite and negative impact on the staff (turnover and morale). My daughter was very sad to learn many of her favorite teachers have left, but I’m sure the new staff is wonderful.
My daughter started in lower school, and unfortunately her cohort became notoriously toxic in upper school, but overall she was glad that she chose Holton. She had amazing college options, ivies included, and is loving her post Holton life. She was very well prepared academically. She was accepted to several private schools, and Holton was the school that fit her best.
My daughter started in lower school, and unfortunately her cohort became notoriously toxic in upper school, but overall she was glad that she chose Holton. She had amazing college options, ivies included, and is loving her post Holton life. She was very well prepared academically. She was accepted to several private schools, and Holton was the school that fit her best.
Anonymous
11/05/2025 18:29
Subject: Holton Truth?
Anonymous wrote:Do you want to know the real truth about Holton? Here it is: Holton is an incredible school with outstanding teachers and a stellar reputation. The English department deserves an award for the way it teaches students to write, and the Global Studies program is truly exemplary. Holton students are driven, talented, and intellectually curious. That’s the happy, real truth.
The sad, real truth is that Holton is currently struggling with leadership and management issues—and it starts at the top. The Head of School has “cleaned house,” and now, despite having more administrators than ever, day-to-day mismanagement is apparent. Frequent, last-minute schedule changes frustrate teachers, students, and parents alike. The fall production suffered, students taking the AMC math test were disrupted, and weekly some class loses instructional time because of conflicts and last-minute changes.
The numbers tell an important story: last year, only 68% of faculty donated to Holton (a sharp drop from the typical 95%), and 18 eighth graders left to attend other schools.
Holton will hopefully find its footing again, but if you’re considering the school, I recommend attending an Open House and asking specific questions—about the schedule, the new administration, and faculty retention (over 80 teachers have left in the past two years). Most importantly, ask how the school plans to ensure that every child’s needs are met. Good luck.
+1
Most of the information posted in old threads about administration and teacher turnover is true. There has definitely been a shift.
Anonymous
11/05/2025 18:20
Subject: Holton Truth?
+1 to all of the above.
And if you're a current parent, ask the administration hard questions and demand real, tangible answers.
And if you're a current parent, ask the administration hard questions and demand real, tangible answers.
Anonymous
11/05/2025 18:00
Subject: Holton Truth?
Do you want to know the real truth about Holton? Here it is: Holton is an incredible school with outstanding teachers and a stellar reputation. The English department deserves an award for the way it teaches students to write, and the Global Studies program is truly exemplary. Holton students are driven, talented, and intellectually curious. That’s the happy, real truth.
The sad, real truth is that Holton is currently struggling with leadership and management issues—and it starts at the top. The Head of School has “cleaned house,” and now, despite having more administrators than ever, day-to-day mismanagement is apparent. Frequent, last-minute schedule changes frustrate teachers, students, and parents alike. The fall production suffered, students taking the AMC math test were disrupted, and weekly some class loses instructional time because of conflicts and last-minute changes.
The numbers tell an important story: last year, only 68% of faculty donated to Holton (a sharp drop from the typical 95%), and 18 eighth graders left to attend other schools.
Holton will hopefully find its footing again, but if you’re considering the school, I recommend attending an Open House and asking specific questions—about the schedule, the new administration, and faculty retention (over 80 teachers have left in the past two years). Most importantly, ask how the school plans to ensure that every child’s needs are met. Good luck.
The sad, real truth is that Holton is currently struggling with leadership and management issues—and it starts at the top. The Head of School has “cleaned house,” and now, despite having more administrators than ever, day-to-day mismanagement is apparent. Frequent, last-minute schedule changes frustrate teachers, students, and parents alike. The fall production suffered, students taking the AMC math test were disrupted, and weekly some class loses instructional time because of conflicts and last-minute changes.
The numbers tell an important story: last year, only 68% of faculty donated to Holton (a sharp drop from the typical 95%), and 18 eighth graders left to attend other schools.
Holton will hopefully find its footing again, but if you’re considering the school, I recommend attending an Open House and asking specific questions—about the schedule, the new administration, and faculty retention (over 80 teachers have left in the past two years). Most importantly, ask how the school plans to ensure that every child’s needs are met. Good luck.
Anonymous
11/05/2025 09:50
Subject: Holton Truth?
Anonymous wrote:We are looking at the LS division. How are the LS teachers and specialists? Since they’d have more interaction with the girls.
Have heard of wonderful LS teachers leaving and sub par specialists “running the show”. Is that the case?
New parent here. My experience has been positive. There is a disgruntled teacher mentioning that but I haven’t perceived any issues with the quality of education. But in my humble experience parents might have different perceptions within the same school.
Anonymous
11/05/2025 09:41
Subject: Holton Truth?
Anonymous wrote:We are looking at the LS division. How are the LS teachers and specialists? Since they’d have more interaction with the girls.
Have heard of wonderful LS teachers leaving and sub par specialists “running the show”. Is that the case?
Not sure what that's about. We are a LS family and very happy. All of the teachers and specialists we've interacted with so far have been great.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 21:55
Subject: Holton Truth?
We are looking at the LS division. How are the LS teachers and specialists? Since they’d have more interaction with the girls.
Have heard of wonderful LS teachers leaving and sub par specialists “running the show”. Is that the case?
Have heard of wonderful LS teachers leaving and sub par specialists “running the show”. Is that the case?
Anonymous
11/04/2025 17:12
Subject: Holton Truth?
The truth is that despite everything over the last three years, there are still good people at Holton. We are coming to the end of our time - graduating daughter soon and a younger daughter whom we will move. I feel sad but the trajectory is uncertain.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 16:12
Subject: Holton Truth?
Current family, one in MS and one US, very happy. The posts on here are so disconnected from our experience, I assume many are just meant to provoke (the skirt issue/non-issue- why?). Agree with PP with comments regarding the new HOS and the current political climate being a factor. We've not had an issue with her.
Love the current MS and new US head, less so LS head (but big shoes to fill there). We've had phenomenal teachers and a few duds, but the arc bends towards a school I am so grateful. Holton has shaped them to be critical thinkers, strong writers, athletes, and advocates. I'd send my girls again in a heartbeat.
Love the current MS and new US head, less so LS head (but big shoes to fill there). We've had phenomenal teachers and a few duds, but the arc bends towards a school I am so grateful. Holton has shaped them to be critical thinkers, strong writers, athletes, and advocates. I'd send my girls again in a heartbeat.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 14:03
Subject: Holton Truth?
Can anyone speak to college counseling at Holton?
Anonymous
11/04/2025 10:53
Subject: Holton Truth?
OP -- you really need to go and see and listen for yourself and your child. My DD went to Holton and let me say is a multi-millionaire on her own about 10 or so years after graduating. She went to an Ivy after Holton and has made it big. She never asked for a dime after graduating from college.
Holton is really hard academically...so it that is your daughter...go for it. Mine didn't love it, nor did I, but we are not sure if daughter would have been so successful if she hadn't gone there. I still have a few mom friends from there. Good luck on whatever you decide.
Holton is really hard academically...so it that is your daughter...go for it. Mine didn't love it, nor did I, but we are not sure if daughter would have been so successful if she hadn't gone there. I still have a few mom friends from there. Good luck on whatever you decide.