Holderness School

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The Holderness School
Pro Deo et Genere Humano
Established	1879
School type	Private High School
Grades	9-12
Headmaster	R. Philip Peck, M.Ed.
Director of Admission	Tyler L Lewis tlewis@holderness.org
Location	Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA
Students	275
Colors	Blue
Mascot	Bull
Website	http://www.holderness.org

The Holderness School is a private, coeducational college-preparatory school in Plymouth, New Hampshire. The student body of about 270 is drawn from many U.S. states and from other countries. While Holderness operates primarily as a boarding school, it enrolls some day students.

Founded in 1879 under the auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, the school retains some links with the denomination, but now conducts ecumenical chapel services and welcomes applicants of all faiths.

Special programs include Outback, a winter-camping expedition for juniors that includes a three-day solo tenting experience and journal-keeping. Outback is known as one of the cornerstones of the Holderness experience. Seniors participate in college-style Senior Colloquium mini-courses on special topics, and undertake individual special projects either on or off campus. Artward Bound offers freshmen and new sophomores a 10-day intensive period of working with supervising artists on individual projects. The school also sponsors group travel to disadvantaged neighborhoods in various cities for work in Habitat for Humanity programs.

Another critical aspect of Holderness School is its unique "Job Program." At Holderness School, every student in every class is requred to perform a campus job, whether it be washing dishes at breakfast, leading a dormitory, or babysitting faculty children during dinner. Students are not paid for these positions, but complete their jobs as community members. The Job Program successfully helps develop a close-knit community at the same time as developing well-rounded and hard-working students.

The students often get very involved in extracurricular activities, specifically the Holderness School Winter Carnival. In this, the students compete in a variety of events to get good intramural competitions. In the 2005-2006 school year, the Webster Dorm claimed victory in the event and capped off the celebration with a dance routine to Michael Jackson's Thriller.

The school sits on high ground on the east side of the Pemigewasset River overlooking the town of Plymouth, New Hampshire, population about 6,000, and home of Plymouth State University and Speare Memorial Hospital. Holderness is about 110 miles north of Boston. Access to Interstate 93 is within sight of the campus.

Holderness School's 600 acres of land hosts academic buildings, a covered ice rink, eight playing fields, 10 tennis courts, and 10 kilometers of cross-country trails. In the past few years, the school has built a new library and health center, and installed wireless computer networking.

The Head of School is R. Phillip Peck, M.Ed.