Read more details about Holderness School on their 2024-25 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Nestled in rural New Hampshire a unique aspect of Holderness school is its proximity to the White Mountains and the integral part they play over the course of a students education at Holderness. Weekend trips up the mountains liven the lives of many students. First year or transfer student, it makes no difference, the white mountains welcome us all as we begin our journey at Holderness.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
Boarding school helped me to mature. I transferred to boarding school because I was unsatisfied and unhappy with my position in life at that moment. By leaving home at a younger age I was forced to mature more and learn more for myself. I had to do all my laundry and get myself where I needed to be. It really taught me how to hold myself accountable.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
My advice to anyone thinking about boarding school is that as scary as it may be at first, it can easily become a place you come to think of as home. Early on try not to hole up in your room, make yourself get up and go to activities and events even if you're unsure because you might end up meeting your best friend or at least have a fun time.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
The undeniable attraction to Holderness, for me, is it's location. Nestled in a quiet town it has everything you need and is just a short drive from some of the best mountains in New England.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Egg sandwiches at the snack bar are a must. Manny's pizza at least once a month. I lived in Webster and Hoyt, in terms of quality of life Hoyt has larger rooms and more amenities but the location of Webster is unbeatable (right across from the dining hall)
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The professors always strike me as my most favorite part of the academics at Holderness. Unlike any other school I've attended these professors posses true knowledge of their individual subjects. It's not just copying notes from a book, it's learning from the lives of those with true experience.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
At Holderness students are required to participate in sports for at least two of the three athletic seasons. For me this helped me stay focused and alert. It also seemed as if the campus is livened by all of the athletes.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
I myself did not spend a lot of time in many of the programs mentioned. I did, however, take one theater class which in all likelihood was my favorite class at Holderness. From the unique formatting to the attentiveness of the instructor, everything about this class was divine.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
I participated in many different sports and a few other extracurricular activities at Holderness. What I liked most about these activities was the inclusiveness and the ability find an activity enjoyable for me because of the volume of options that were available.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Dorm life at Holderness was calm and convenient. I liked how dorm parents (usually teachers) were on duty each night and could be sought out for help in any capacity. It was nice to also have multiple staff take dorm duty shifts rather than just one person every night.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
Most dining at Holderness was serve and go, I liked the casual easy style of this and my freedom to pick whatever it was that I was interested in eating. Twice a week and on other occasions we had family style dinners (assigned seating and served food) the infrequency of these was nice because it provided a variety to our weekly dining. My favorite part of the family style dinners was the ability to meet new people that I may otherwise have not spoken to.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
As small a town as Plymouth is, it isn't too lacking. Any day of the week we could walk down to the local gas station and grab a snack or order a delivery pizza to the dorms. A lot of weekends my friends and I would order delivery pizza or Chinese food to de-stress after a high energy week. The local coffee shop is warm and welcoming and always nice for a brisk fall morning trip.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
Social life at Holderness was interesting. As with any school there were friend groups and the sports teams would all hang out during their respective seasons, but there was no real hierarchy of power, no "popular' and "unpopular". Everyone stood on equal footing and everyone at the school had diverse and interesting personalities. The "jocks" were also the students on high honor roll in AP Spanish, everyone was accepted.
Read more details about Holderness School on their 2024-25 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
A very low student-to-faculty ratio which encourage the students to follow their personal dreams while developing their life skills and enjoyment. . .
My two years at Holderness prepared me well for life by teaching me about civic pride and community participation through the student jobs program. I learned that I could overcome adversity and be self-reliant though. . .
Holderness School Alumni #3
Class of 2004
5.00 8/28/2017
University of New Hampshire, New York School of Interior Design
Class of 2004
5.00 8/28/2017
University of New Hampshire, New York School of Interior Design
Small classes sizes, from 2-15 people really forced me to be interested and taught me it's better to have attempted to do work than not do it at all - which frankly I was able. . .
Show more reviews (6 reviews)
Recent Articles
Boarding School Myths
This article debunks common myths about boarding schools, addressing misconceptions about wealth requirements, diversity, student life, school types, and family communication. It provides valuable insights for families considering boarding school education and highlights the modern realities of these institutions.
A Partnership of Three
This article explores the three-way partnership between the school, parents, and students in boarding school education. It outlines the obligations and responsibilities of each party, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and commitment to ensure a successful boarding school experience.
Admissions Checklist For Boarding School Applicants
This comprehensive guide provides a detailed checklist for boarding school applicants, covering key aspects of the admissions process such as testing, recommendations, interviews, and financial aid. It also includes additional information for international students applying to U.S. boarding schools.
