<p>No one here is attending Holderness, which would be better…but my son interviewed there, and here are some random impressions. We were very impressed by the warmth and personal attention, not just of the admissions officers, but faculty, coaches, and the headmaster–all of whom we were introduced to. They made a point of stressing that academics came first and that families for whom sports were most important should look at some of the ski academies instead of Holderness (we liked that emphasis). They have developed some innovative special programming during a spring mini-term that we thought looked great. It was the only school my son applied to where he heard not just from his interviewer but from his student tour guide when we got home.</p>
<p>Our sense was that their new headmaster was leading the school well–and in some interesting and positive new directions. </p>
<p>Interestingly, his interviewer at Groton had graduated from Holderness and had good things to say about it. I gather that their Outward boundish trek into the wilderness that they make their junior year (?) is particularly memorable for a lot of students. </p>
<p>It’s a small school, so courses are more limited than, say, at Exeter–but it was certainly much better than our public school. The students seem friendly and laid back–not at all competitive.</p>
<p>All in all, I’d say that it’s a well-rounded school–nice mix of academics, sports, service and the arts–and a particularly good choice if your son loves the outdoors.</p>