Holton-Arms School
Encyclopedia
Holton-Arms is an independent college-preparatory school for girls in grades 3–12, located in Bethesda, Maryland
. The School's mission is to cultivate the unique potential of young women through the “education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit.” (Jessie Moon Holton (1866-1951). The School’s motto is Inveniam viam aut faciam, or “I will find a way or make one.”
Originally housed in Washington, D.C.
, Holton-Arms moved to Bethesda in 1963. Located on 57 acres (230,671 m²) of rolling woodlands just off River Road, the campus encompasses seven buildings that house a new science wing and lecture hall, two libraries, a performing arts center with a 400-seat theater and new black box theater, art and ceramic studios and photo lab, three dance studios, a double gymnasium, an indoor competition-size pool, and a weight and training room. Outside, seven tennis courts, three athletic fields including a new synthetic turf field, and an eight lane all weather track round off the sports facilities.
Currently under the leadership of Susanna Jones, appointed Head of School in 2007, the school has three divisions, Lower School (grades 3–6), Middle School (7–8), and Upper School (9–12). Tuition for 2011/2012 is $30,957 for grades 3-6 and $32,388 for grades 7-12. The financial aid budget for 2010-2011 was $3,456,125. Approximately 24% of Holton students receive financial aid. The average grant is approximately $19,636 with individual grants ranging from 12% to 95% of tuition. There are 655 students enrolled and 94 faculty, resulting in a student/faculty ratio of 7 to 1. Holton-Arms has a 39.6 percent student of color enrollment.
Holton's mascot was originally an armadillo, but it was eventually changed to a panther. They also used the traditional Holton crest, until 2008, when their logo was changed to an "H" with a laurel leaf.
New 6th graders will receive a tablet laptop. They can use it to take notes, do homework, and prepare for middle school.
Upon joining Upper School, students receive even more choices through which they must determine their path. In 9th grade, Math Honors is provided to them, as well as Biology Honors. Entrance into both honors class is only given with departmental permission. In 10th grade, Math honors is again an option, as well as Chemistry Honors and History Honors, commonly known as Core I. Core I is part of a two-year intensive history program, finishing at the completion of junior (11th) year.
Holton offers a wide variety of AP courses to students in 11th and 12th grades, such as AP Art History, AP Spanish, AP Biology and AP Calculus. As graduation requirements, Holton students must have received four credits (four years) of Upper School English, three credits in one foreign language, three math credits, including Geometry and Trigonometry, three credits in history and the social sciences, and three science credits, including biology.
In January 2009, Holton-Arms was featured in a Washington Metro article about women and male-oriented classes such as engineering. It showed Holton in a positive light, mentioning how it was one of the few all-girls schools in the US with a proper engineering class.
The Holton-Arms School also gives back to the community through its Sustainability Committee that oversees environmentally conscious procedures occurring throughout the campus, including school-wide recycling and energy-efficient building systems.
In addition, Holton works with their brother school, Landon, to provide different play opportunities throughout the school year. For example, in the 2009-2010 school year, the fall musical, Kiss Me, Kate was produced. It was performed at Holton by Holton Upper School Students as well as Landon students. The music was also performed by Holton band and orchestra members. Holton also produced a winter play, Dancing at Lughnasa. The Spring One-Acts (all of which are directed by students) are also under way.
In order to graduate, Holton requires students pass a swimming competency test. If students do not pass this on the first try (students take it at the end of 8th grade), they can take a beginning swimming course at Holton for one school year.
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
. The School's mission is to cultivate the unique potential of young women through the “education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit.” (Jessie Moon Holton (1866-1951). The School’s motto is Inveniam viam aut faciam, or “I will find a way or make one.”
History
In 1901, 19 years before women won the right to vote, Jessie Moon Holton and Carolyn Hough Arms founded Holton-Arms from a vendor's push cart.Originally housed in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Holton-Arms moved to Bethesda in 1963. Located on 57 acres (230,671 m²) of rolling woodlands just off River Road, the campus encompasses seven buildings that house a new science wing and lecture hall, two libraries, a performing arts center with a 400-seat theater and new black box theater, art and ceramic studios and photo lab, three dance studios, a double gymnasium, an indoor competition-size pool, and a weight and training room. Outside, seven tennis courts, three athletic fields including a new synthetic turf field, and an eight lane all weather track round off the sports facilities.
Currently under the leadership of Susanna Jones, appointed Head of School in 2007, the school has three divisions, Lower School (grades 3–6), Middle School (7–8), and Upper School (9–12). Tuition for 2011/2012 is $30,957 for grades 3-6 and $32,388 for grades 7-12. The financial aid budget for 2010-2011 was $3,456,125. Approximately 24% of Holton students receive financial aid. The average grant is approximately $19,636 with individual grants ranging from 12% to 95% of tuition. There are 655 students enrolled and 94 faculty, resulting in a student/faculty ratio of 7 to 1. Holton-Arms has a 39.6 percent student of color enrollment.
Holton's mascot was originally an armadillo, but it was eventually changed to a panther. They also used the traditional Holton crest, until 2008, when their logo was changed to an "H" with a laurel leaf.
Academic Policies
Starting in Middle School (7th Grade), students are allowed to apply for the Honors math program. There are no other Honors programs available to students until Upper School (9th Grade). In Middle School, students receive the opportunity to make more decisions about their courses because more electives are available to them. Middle school students also receive more freedom as well as responsibility, because they join the laptop program (starting in 6th Grade). Each student is provided with a laptop, through which they can access many of their homework assignments, do projects and occasionally take tests through. The academic curriculum becomes much more technological starting in Middle School.New 6th graders will receive a tablet laptop. They can use it to take notes, do homework, and prepare for middle school.
Upon joining Upper School, students receive even more choices through which they must determine their path. In 9th grade, Math Honors is provided to them, as well as Biology Honors. Entrance into both honors class is only given with departmental permission. In 10th grade, Math honors is again an option, as well as Chemistry Honors and History Honors, commonly known as Core I. Core I is part of a two-year intensive history program, finishing at the completion of junior (11th) year.
Holton offers a wide variety of AP courses to students in 11th and 12th grades, such as AP Art History, AP Spanish, AP Biology and AP Calculus. As graduation requirements, Holton students must have received four credits (four years) of Upper School English, three credits in one foreign language, three math credits, including Geometry and Trigonometry, three credits in history and the social sciences, and three science credits, including biology.
In January 2009, Holton-Arms was featured in a Washington Metro article about women and male-oriented classes such as engineering. It showed Holton in a positive light, mentioning how it was one of the few all-girls schools in the US with a proper engineering class.
Global Education and Community Service
Global Education is a new innovation initiated by Susannah Jones in 2008. The first global education trips were taken in the summer of 2009 by the class of 2010. Global education asks students to go on a trip to either Costa Rica, Senegal or India (the first India trip will be taken in the summer of 2010) the summer before their senior year. Each trip lasts for about 10-15 days, and teaches to students to rise beyond their comfort levels and discover new cultures and new facts about their own selves.The Holton-Arms School also gives back to the community through its Sustainability Committee that oversees environmentally conscious procedures occurring throughout the campus, including school-wide recycling and energy-efficient building systems.
Arts Program
Holton require one art credit for graduation, which can be achieved by taking art classes (ceramics, photography or drawing and painting), participating in chorus, band or the string orchestra, or taking dance technique classes.In addition, Holton works with their brother school, Landon, to provide different play opportunities throughout the school year. For example, in the 2009-2010 school year, the fall musical, Kiss Me, Kate was produced. It was performed at Holton by Holton Upper School Students as well as Landon students. The music was also performed by Holton band and orchestra members. Holton also produced a winter play, Dancing at Lughnasa. The Spring One-Acts (all of which are directed by students) are also under way.
Athletic Department
In fall sports news, varsity tennis won the Independent Sports League (ISL) championship and JV field hockey achieved 2nd in the ISL tournament. Track got 5th place at the ISL meet. Orchesis is Holton's dance troupe. Varsity soccer lost to National Cathedral School in the first round of the 2009 ISL tournament. Holton's Varsity swimming & diving team have won the ISL championships for seven consecutive years, and continue to hope for a strong showing of camaraderie, effort and spirit to win during the 2010-2011 school year. The Varsity ice hockey team has won the last six Maryland Scholastic Hockey League championships, and aims to repeat this feat at the end of the 2009-2010 season. Varsity ice hockey also competes in WIHLMA, the Women's Ice Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic.In order to graduate, Holton requires students pass a swimming competency test. If students do not pass this on the first try (students take it at the end of 8th grade), they can take a beginning swimming course at Holton for one school year.
Uniforms
The school uniform varies for each grade level. Lower School students wear plaid jumpers with white polos, white socks and black or navy school shoes. When students graduate 6th grade and enter Middle School, they are allowed to just wear skirts made of the same plaid and whatever shoes they like. They can wear this with white polos, and their choice of grey, white or navy leggings and school sweatshirts (same set of colors). Upper School students also wear the plaid skirt, however, they are allowed to wear any unmarked grey, white or navy sweatshirt, and any collared white or navy shirt. Both Middle and Upper School have a "dress-down Friday" system. Middle Schoolers may pick any shirt or legwear they want, as long as they wear the school skirt, while Upper Schoolers may wear their choice of clothing. This helps give the students some variety as well as preparing those who have been in uniforms their entire lives for college, where most will have to pick their own clothes each day.Notable alumnae
- Brooke AstorBrooke AstorRoberta Brooke Astor was an American philanthropist and socialite who was the chairwoman of the Vincent Astor Foundation, which had been established by her third husband, Vincent Astor, son of John Jacob Astor IV and great-great grandson of America's first multi-millionaire, John Jacob...
, philanthropistPhilanthropistA philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes... - Katharine ByronKatharine ByronKatharine Edgar Byron , a Democrat, was a U.S. Congresswoman who represented the 6th congressional district of Maryland from May 27, 1941 to January 3, 1943...
, first woman elected to Congress from Maryland - Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Moore CapitoShelley Moore Capito is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. She is a member of the Republican Party...
, Congresswoman from West Virginia - Julia Louis-DreyfusJulia Louis-DreyfusJulia Scarlett Elizabeth Louis-Dreyfus is an American actress and comedienne, widely known for her sitcom roles in Seinfeld and The New Adventures of Old Christine....
, Billionaire heiressBeneficiaryA beneficiary in the broadest sense is a natural person or other legal entity who receives money or other benefits from a benefactor. For example: The beneficiary of a life insurance policy, is the person who receives the payment of the amount of insurance after the death of the insured...
& actress, played ElaineElaine BenesElaine Marie Benes is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Elaine's best friend is her ex-boyfriend Jerry Seinfeld; she is also good friends with George Costanza and Cosmo Kramer...
on SeinfeldSeinfeldSeinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself... - Susan FordSusan FordSusan Elizabeth Ford Bales is an American author, photojournalist, and former chairman of the board of the Betty Ford Center for alcohol and drug abuse.-Youth:...
, daughter of former U.S. President Gerald FordGerald FordGerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974... - Michelle GielanMichelle GielanMichelle Gielan is an American broadcast journalist who is currently at CBS News and anchored the morning news programs CBS Morning News and Up to the Minute. Her last broadcast for CBS was Thursday, June 17, 2010. She is also a correspondent for CBS' The Early Show.-Career:Michelle joined CBS...
, anchor of CBS Morning NewsCBS Morning NewsFor CBS's main morning news program, formerly known as CBS Morning News, see The Early Show.CBS Morning News is the half-hour daily television broadcast from CBS News that airs following Up to the Minute and features late-breaking news stories, weather forecasts, and sports scores...
and the overnight Up To The MinuteUp to the MinuteUp to the Minute is a CBS overnight broadcast which offers hard news, features, interviews, weather, sports, business and commentary. Up to the Minute draws from the full resources of CBS News, including the CBS Evening News, Newspath, affiliate stations, the CBS Radio Network and Reuters Television... - Nancy LaFon Gore, daughter of Albert Gore, Sr.Albert Gore, Sr.Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Sr. was an American politician, serving as a U.S. Representative and a U.S. Senator for the Democratic Party from Tennessee....
and sister of Al GoreAl GoreAlbert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election.... - Jacqueline Kennedy OnassisJacqueline Kennedy OnassisJacqueline Lee Bouvier "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and served as First Lady of the United States during his presidency from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Five years later she married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle...
, former first lady (did not graduate but attended the middle school) - Anne KornblutAnne KornblutAnne Elise Kornblut is an American journalist. She is currently a staff writer for the Washington Post.-Early life:...
, White House correspondent for The Washington PostThe Washington PostThe Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation... - Christine LagardeChristine LagardeChristine Madeleine Odette Lagarde is a French lawyer and the managing director of the International Monetary Fund since July 5, 2011...
, Minister of FinanceMinister of the Economy, Finance and Industry (France)The Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment , or Minister of Finance for short, is one of the most prominent positions in the cabinet of France after the Prime Minister....
of France and the designated head of the International Monetary Fund - Patricia RichardsonPatricia RichardsonPatricia Castle Richardson is an American television and film actress best known for her portrayal of Jill Taylor on the sitcom Home Improvement.-Early life and education:...
, actress, played Jill on Home Improvement - Ann Schein, pianist
- Margaret WarnerMargaret WarnerMargaret Garrard Warner is a senior correspondent for The PBS NewsHour. Before joining the NewsHour in 1993, she was a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, The San Diego Union-Tribune, the Concord Monitor, and Newsweek....
, award-winning senior correspondent for The NewsHour with Jim LehrerThe NewsHour with Jim LehrerPBS NewsHour is an evening television news program broadcast weeknights on the Public Broadcasting Service in the United States. The show is produced by MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, a company co-owned by former anchors Jim Lehrer and Robert MacNeil, and Liberty Media, which owns a 65% stake in the... - Elinor WylieElinor WylieElinor Morton Wylie was an American poet and novelist popular in the 1920s and 1930s. "She was famous during her life almost as much for her ethereal beauty and personality as for her melodious, sensuous poetry."...
, poet - Rachael YamagataRachael YamagataRachael Yamagata is an American singer-songwriter and pianist from Arlington, Virginia. She began her musical career with the band Bumpus before becoming a solo artist and releasing four EP's and three studio albums...
, singer-songwriter - Azita YoussefiAzitaAzita Youssefi is an experimental musician and artist based in Chicago. She is usually associated with the Chicago no wave scene, which included bands like the Flying Luttenbachers, U.S. Maple and Bobby Conn.-Background:...
, musician/artist - Jasmine Sharron Perry, aspiring reality tv star