Holton-Arms School

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Holton-Arms is a prestigious independent college-preparatory school for girls in grades 3–12, located in Bethesda, Maryland. It is dedicated to “education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit.” The School’s motto is Inveniam viam aut faciam or “I will find a way or make one.”

The School prides itself on providing a diverse environment where girls are encouraged to excel. Students have opportunities to explore and discover their own aptitudes in academics—especially in science, math and technology (classes include robotics, engineering, and forensic science)—in athletics and in the fine and performing arts. The School also places a strong emphasis on community service, puts women first, and promotes risk taking among the student body, faculty and staff.

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. Their progressive vision of educating young women to develop their own sense of personal integrity and responsibility and of giving them the means to make wise and ethical choices remains stronger than ever.

Originally housed in Washington, D.C., Holton-Arms moved to Bethesda in 1963. Located on 57 acres 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, and a new track round off the sports facilities.

Currently under the leadership of Susanna Jones, appointed to be 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 is $25,425 for grades 3–6 and $26,650 for grades 7–12, with 19 percent of the student body receiving financial aid. There are 655 students enrolled and 94 faculty, resulting in a student/faculty ratio of 7 to 1. Holton-Arms has a 36 percent student of color enrollment.