Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 17:28     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

Anonymous wrote:we have been very happy with the Spanish department. I can't speak to the other languages. They offer regular language classes as well as opportunities for spoken language.
Languages are taught well. I would say the science and English departments are exceptional


You lost credibility with me after this comment. The current level of Spanish instruction is nothing like it used to be even a few years ago.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 15:31     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

Anonymous wrote:we have been very happy with the Spanish department. I can't speak to the other languages. They offer regular language classes as well as opportunities for spoken language.
Languages are taught well. I would say the science and English departments are exceptional


Thank you!!
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 12:59     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

we have been very happy with the Spanish department. I can't speak to the other languages. They offer regular language classes as well as opportunities for spoken language.
Languages are taught well. I would say the science and English departments are exceptional
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 12:48     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

Anonymous wrote:sorry for being inarticulate ! LOL!
my daughter has learned to write much better than I ..
the English department is top notch (compared to what my other child received at another DC private) and her love for science is a result of the teaching and resources at Holton. Please post any specific questions here. We adore Holton-Arms


Thanks. How is the foreign language curriculum and teaching? French and Chinese specifically?
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 11:39     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

Anonymous wrote:My daughter loves Holton. She has made so many wonderful friends. Academics are outstanding. Teachers are exceptional. Could not be happier. Not everybody will have the same experience, but for our daughter, it has been transformative.


Same here. We picked Holton (over NCS) two years ago and have been very happy with the decision. DD (and we) have a lot of friends (10+ families) at both. Holton seemed to us - and this has ended up being true - to have a better balance of academics, athletics, and the arts, and generally happier/less competitive students. We also have made great friends with the other parents. Any time bullying has been an issue, the school has been extremely proactive about addressing it, and they're also thoughtful about class composition in order to break up cliques, bad dynamics, etc., each year. And DD has flourished academically -- has become a very strong writer and also considerers herself a total math/science/engineering kid (which she wouldn't necessarily have said in her prior co-ed environment, where boys were dominating those spaces). New HOS is obviously not as warm as everyone says Susannah was, but I don't really mind that since she seems to be truly hustling to raise money and the national brand of the school. The heads of each of the divisions play the nurturing role and have far more interaction with the students on a daily basis.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 10:50     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

sorry for being inarticulate ! LOL!
my daughter has learned to write much better than I ..
the English department is top notch (compared to what my other child received at another DC private) and her love for science is a result of the teaching and resources at Holton. Please post any specific questions here. We adore Holton-Arms
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 10:48     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

hi! the reason I know that the "worst days are better etc" is because I had a child at another school and because my Holton student came from another school. We are so happy! please ask me anything
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 08:57     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

My daughter loves Holton. She has made so many wonderful friends. Academics are outstanding. Teachers are exceptional. Could not be happier. Not everybody will have the same experience, but for our daughter, it has been transformative.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 06:02     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

Anonymous wrote:Current Holton parent here. We LOVE LOVE LOVE Holton-Arms! Even the worst days were better than it would have been at other places. The teachers are incredible. Every school has growing pains when there is a new head of school. It's a fantastic place.


Riiight ok.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2026 00:02     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Current Holton parent here. We LOVE LOVE LOVE Holton-Arms! Even the worst days were better than it would have been at other places. The teachers are incredible. Every school has growing pains when there is a new head of school. It's a fantastic place.


Another current Holton parent. Honest question: how can you possibly know that “the worst days were better than it would have been at other places”?

Posts like yours make me wonder if Holton communications people are active on these threads.

+1 The disgruntled Holton parents seem much more articulate than those who “LOVE LOVE LOVE” the place the last couple of years.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 23:49     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

Anonymous wrote:Current Holton parent here. We LOVE LOVE LOVE Holton-Arms! Even the worst days were better than it would have been at other places. The teachers are incredible. Every school has growing pains when there is a new head of school. It's a fantastic place.


Another current Holton parent. Honest question: how can you possibly know that “the worst days were better than it would have been at other places”?

Posts like yours make me wonder if Holton communications people are active on these threads.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 15:15     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

Current Holton parent here. We LOVE LOVE LOVE Holton-Arms! Even the worst days were better than it would have been at other places. The teachers are incredible. Every school has growing pains when there is a new head of school. It's a fantastic place.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 15:12     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

Anonymous wrote:Consider a school that has fewer type a students because your student could rank higher in the end. Unless your student is exceptional and can stand out amongst many very talented girls. I didn’t consider this when applying for private schools and I wonder if we made the right decision. That said, regardless of class rank, all the girls will be more than ready for college, so that’s a plus.


+1
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 14:25     Subject: Is Holton still a good option?

We are very happy there. It's a special place!
Anonymous
Post 02/07/2026 08:55     Subject: Re:Is Holton still a good option?

The important thing is the student body: impressive, supportive, intellectually curious, mature, kind, well-rounded. They are impressive.