Bump

Recent faculty turnover and hiring practices at Holton have taken its toll on the school. I'm not seeing the qualifications or the best practices that used to be the standard. That's just our take, though. We know many families that are happy with Holton.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At the LS level, the work load is not going to be that rigorous compared to public school. The ability to push ahead is also limited so if you are looking to do math, reading etc a year or two ahead of grade level, private schools for the most part don't do that.

As a Norwood parent, I disagree with the spirit of these statements. The work load may not be as heavy, if measured in hours of homework, but the practice of grouping by skill level keeps all students challenged in both reading and math. In third grade math, for example, the students in the most advanced group have already mastered most grade-level skills and are being taught on that basis. It is true that this means enrichment more than acceleration, but I think this is a smart approach that even acceleration-mad MCPS is movnig toward.

I disagree. I am concerned about the level of rigor at the elementary level, which is just not there. I am referring to rigor, not acceleration. I think that there is just not enough going on in the classrooms during the day. They need to ramp it up. It can be a waste of money. That said, I think that Holton has the best academic reputation of all these schools.

Anonymous wrote:WES is very strict, in a bad way. You have been warned.

In what way? Also. If I am interested in performing arts how is thzt?

WES is very strict, in a bad way. You have been warned.

Anonymous wrote:This thread is 4 years old, people!

Not anymore!

This thread is 4 years old, people!

Anonymous wrote:Former WES parent here, and I believe you. Many of the stories I have about our bad experiences are hard to believe too, but unfortunately they are true.

Strange place, it is.

Someone on this site seems to Be engaging in a vendetta against Holton LS head, so I would take the posts with that understanding in mind. From our experience, Holton LS was generally good, although we did have a fair amount of turnover of teachers. The LS Head was fine until we had a complaint near the end of LS, after which we found out that most people are pretty happy to leave LS when that time comes, which seems natural in a way. And the worst teacher DD had in lower school actually taught DD a lot about how to (or not to) relate to people - this kind of learning is actually important and your kid won't get it in a hermetically sealed perfect environment. So, on balance, no complaints about Holton LS. Holton MS has been great. One couldn't ask for better, more enthusiastic, and dedicate teachers. This group really loves teaching 12-14 year old girls --- which is a precise science. It's almost tear inducing how dedicated and perceptive the MS teachers are. And the MS head is also great (but leaving at the end of the year). Not sure about US - haven't been there yet and the school isn't great about putting info forward. MS parents are supposed to learn more in January.