Holton-Arms School

7303 River Road

Bethesda, MD 20817

20 Reviews

School District
Grade

3-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 22, 2024

Holton-Arms is a wonderful community that encourages women if there isn't a way to find one. It has been a great place so far for our daughter. It is extremely challenging academically, and the school is just now becoming more open to accommodating children with special needs or learning plans. They are still behind other schools in flexibility for accommodations for students. Hopefully, they will become even more agile in this area as time progresses. It is nationally recognized and certainly goes above and beyond for its students, so I am hopeful it will also continue to evolve in this arena. There is a movement by leadership to try to take down the stress of their students and help them find ways to restore balance to their lives. Families should be aware that there is a distinct level of competitiveness there that girls should be prepared for and try to avoid and discuss amongst their own family ahead of joining to prevent a girl from constantly comparing herself.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2023

I've read a few reviews that cast a negative shadow over Holton. While I cannot speak for the experience of those reviews, I'd like to offer what my wife & I have found at Holton. First, let's set the table...We are a multi-racial family, our daughter entered in Lower School and is now in Upper School. From the day we made our first inquiry, we have been welcomed. It began with an email and evolved into a tour, the application process and now of course, our daughter being a student for years. We absolutely LOVE everything about Holton. From the academics to the community... the athletics to the engagement with projects that go beyond the Holton footprint, we are completely pleased & thrilled with the overall experience. The educators support the students & create an environment that allows girls to explore, take chances, find their success and simply be who they are. When we look at diversity, our family is pleased with the diversity we see on campus. The staff and the students represent a diverse array of people... all who are at Holton to create community. Holton believes in and exemplifies gratitude, diversity, home and more. We could not have chosen a better option for our daughter. So let's address the questions that prospective families seem to ask the most...Is there bullying? We've seen nothing of the sort. Holton has always been very forward in identifying and addressing any matters of concern. We have not ever seen instances of bullying. From Lower to Middle to Upper School, we have seen nothing of the sort.How is campus safety? The safety & security of the girls at Holton seems to be top priority. There are several staff members in the security department who are present, engaged and diligent in their duties. Whether it's directing traffic or screening visitors, the security team makes sure the campus is safe and their eyes are focused on keeping the campus a place where our girls can learn, grow, have fun and be present in the Holton experience.Hows lunch? Oh man... great menus and the dining hall staff is top flight.Are the academics rigorous? Your daughter will be challenged, she'll have to step outside her comfort zone and she'll be encouraged to take academic risks. The support will be there to help her along the way.Holton is absolutely the best choice we made for our daughter. We would do it again 10x over.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2022

My daughter started in 2020 and I've been incredibly impressed with how Holton has managed throughout the pandemic. They ensured that academic and social-emotional needs of students were met throughout. I'm particularly heartened by the comprehensive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging work that they've been doing with students, teachers and even parents.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2021

Without going into my personal saga with Holton, I would first like to say that we chose the school over Washington International, Cathedral, and Sidwell. It was the way my daughter’s eyes lit up when we visited.Suffice it to say that all changed. I found the girls to be mean spirited, bullies, and, yes, thieves. As did a few other parents, we ended up sending our daughters to an excellent public school system. Absolutely no regrets. Oh yeah. Forgot to mention that one of my “Black” daughter’s was placed in a remedial reading class, even though she scored in the 99th percentile on both the National and State tests, and was already reading 2 levels ahead.What Holton has yet to learn is that the girl makes the school - not the other way around. This means EACH AND EVERY SINGLE GIRL is an important, and beautiful addition to Holton’s tapestry.
Submitted by other on December 17, 2018

Wonderful. "Find a way or make one" is instilled in each of the students.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2018

Really awful. They try to create an image of inclusivity but it is false. So many kids left because of the lack of diversity and the bias towards the privileged. The academics are stellar, but the social piece - character building, kindness, respect for others, valuing differences among people - is totally missing. For $40K/ year, there are better options like Sidwell and St. Andrew’s.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2017

I'm a parent of a Lower Schooler at Holton and our family loves the school. It is a great combination of warm and challenging. The girls are very happy, and they're also learning a lot.
Submitted by other on February 03, 2015

Holton-Arms provides the best and most qualified teachers, willing to help, which in my opinion, is the most significant aspect. The teachers are patient and kind, devoted to the students and the school. Holton-Arms surrounds students with a comfortable and diverse atmosphere. It's rigor and high expectations prepares students for college in the best possible way. This is the best education you can possibly receive. I am not a parent who hears information from their child. I am an alum who has experienced it herself.
Submitted by other on June 02, 2014

Wonderful school for girls - very diverse in terms of interests, bkgrds, socio-economic status & race.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2014

I am a parent of two Holton students and I can honestly say that Holton has fostered young women of integrity, intellect, and purpose. They have gained the ability to navigate challenging material while keeping their enthusiasm for learning in tact. The student body is tremendously diverse and offers the richness of being among the best of the diverse communities in this area. Girls learn to respect themselves in the process too. This is a community that is sensitive to the wellness of each child. This approach is an important part of what makes Holton such a special place. I believe that our daughters have gained a great advantage in life to have been taught not only the excellent academics, but also the life skills needed to succeed in their future careers as leaders of the next generation.
Submitted by other on January 29, 2014

I am a lower schooler at Holton. I started last year and I really love my school! We have the best teachers ever, and I really like Mr. Bane too. He is the head of our school. In science we have a technology class that is really cool. We learn about all different cultures and create amazing stories. We always try to make sure we include all the students and look out for the kids who are having a hard time. It is important to be a good citizen of our school, and think about others around us. We are part of a bigger community and I love it! Holton is the best!
Submitted by other on December 01, 2013

Holton-Arms is amazing. I am a student, in 8th grade. The teachers are extremely nice and helpful, and contrary to a post before, most teachers stay at school until five or six o'clock so it is easy to make an appointment with them. To the October 6th review: Every teacher has an assignment document on the course page where all of the assignments for the month are posted. Onenote is better in my opinion because it is accessed on your computer and doesn't need WiFi to work. We use Google Drive for projects so Holton does use browser-based applications. -- The middle school director is very open to suggestions. The teachers are amazing and always willing to stay after school to help you. Global Ed is amazing with opportunities in Belize and New Orleans. In response to the homework load: It is really not that much for me. Sure, you can spend a lot of time on it if you have to study for quizzes and work on projects. The teachers tell us that if it's taking you 30 minutes or more, than you should talk to them and work out a plan. Overall, Holton is an amazing school for me.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2013

I compared this school with Spark Matsunaga Elementary school, MD in Germantown and Gibbs Elementary school in Germantown, MD and a few other elementary schools in the area. The students from these schools are much more competitive and advance academically and in sports as they have to compete with more number of students and more diverse students. Parents are more involved in kids development. The public school of Montgomery county have far better resources than this school. Only rich people send their kids to satisfy their ego. Spending money in this school is not worth it. I would suggest to take benefit of resource rich Montgomery County Public Schools to make your kids better humans instead of making race horses.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2013

Disappointing. The Middle School fails to provide much of the infrastructure and support that public schools have long mastered. Students are required to carry one set of books back and forth between home and school, while all local schools have solved this problem by providing multiple sets of books for students. The website does not provide a way for teachers to provide immediate feedback on tests, quizzes, and homework assignments nor does it provide a daily report on what assignments are due. Students are required to purchase individual laptops that are very expensive compared to most commercial options and use out of date applications such as onenote frequently when browser based applications are available everywhere. So when your daughter has an expensive laptop that frequently crashes or forgets to bring home a textbook in her 20 pound backpack full of materials, a meltdown is created. Public schools have long resolved these issues but Holton is far behind the times.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2013

It is a very difficult school for an above average student from an upper middle class income. The majority of the teachers leave before 4pm so parent/teacher interaction requires taking time off work. The school requires a commitment to a daily commute. Students from wealthier backgrounds fit in because of their socio economic status. Low income students are generally scholarship recipients and can fall back on their academic status. But for a student whose parents earn a modest income, going to expensive parties in wealthy surroundings, adjusting to the academic workload, and the demands of the commute is too much. In public school the surrounding parents were much friendlier, everyone was close by, the parties were less assuming, and the academic workload was more manageable. Everyone wants their child to have the best education possible, and I believe that my child would have received a better overall experience at public school.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2013

The Feb 2013 parent is dead wrong in my view. Clique-ishness at Holton is at an all-time high. The diversity committee recently had to call a special meeting of African American parents because of a low diversity rating and racist comments made about some of the black students. Holton is more interested in cranking out Ivy Leaguers than in developing individuality, character, and integrity.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2013

couldn't disagree more wih the Jan 23, 2013 parent. My daughter has been at Holton since 3rd grade and I have nothing but positive things to say about the school, the girls and the parents. My daughter is cerebral and a high performer. She has found like-minded friends and i have found all the girls get along, whether they are sporty or nerdy. There is something for everyone at the school. I have found the girls at NCS to be more like what she is describing.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2012

The lower school is beyond amazing, with a fabulous director- makes me want to go back to school. Middle school is full of teachers who LIKE teaching those ages, and is a really good transition place- director has a great understanding of the needs of the whole child, and the girls are really prepared for the full-on intensity of upper school. Upper school is great if your girl is ready for it: it is staggering what these girls do- academics, sports, arts. Lots of opportunities, lots of support. Btw- the comment about the 'eery' quiet of the MS & US- it is very Montessori-like.If you go, ask about the 'gift of time', take a peek at the Senior & Junior lounges, look at the girls working in 1s and 2s in the halls. It is purposeful in a happy way. Mine LOVE that there are no harsh bells between classes! The vast majority of Holton girls are amazingly kind and welcoming to the new girls; the snobbish minority is very small, and tmost of the girls look down on it. The diversity of the student body is the best I've ever seen, and they are very well integrated (students more tnan the parents). No school is right for everyone, but this community really tries to work together for the kids.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2012

My daughter has been at Holton since the 3rd grade and is now in 8th. We have found Holton to be a wonderful school. The teachers, school heads as well as the head of school Susanna Jones have been exceptionally attentive to each and every girl. Academics have also been exceptional and there have been numerous opportunities to engage in almost any athletic pursuit. She made friends easily and continues to maintain a large circle of close knit friends who interact like sisters. As an African American family, we have found the school to be particularly welcoming and inclusive of our and all other cultures. In the 6 years that we have been a part of the Holton community, we have not seen or experienced any of the elitist attitudes expressed by another reviewer. My daughter has been challenged academically but has found the workload to be very manageable as long as she prepares adequately. Within the first 2 weeks of entering Holton in the 3rd grade she demonstrated a higher level of confidence and self assurance that has only continued to grow. We could not be more pleased with the experience and education at this school.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2012

Holton is a wonderful place where girls of different social, economic and cultural backgrounds can find their place. There are great athletic opportunities as well as extraordinary arts (both visual and performing). The teachers really care and provide great mentoring for the girls, even though who might be hesitant to ask in another environment. My family has been there for 9 years and my daughters friends cross all of the lines that might otherwise divide people. Holton encourages that. Girls can safely take intellectual risks here, which makes them better prepared for the future.