Holton at a Glance

Holton was founded in 1901 by Jessie Moon Holton and Carolyn Hough Arms. Originally located in downtown Washington, D.C., at 2125 S Street, the School moved to Bethesda, Md., in 1963. Learn more about Holton's history.

The School Motto

Inveniam viam aut faciam or “I will find a way or make one.”

Mission

Holton-Arms School cultivates the unique potential of young women through the “education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit.”

School Philosophy

Founded in 1901, Holton-Arms is a college-preparatory school for girls grades 3-12 dedicated to the “education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit.*”

The School provides rigorous and dynamic programs in the traditional academic areas, the fine and performing arts, and athletics. Here, young women of diverse backgrounds can take risks, learn from mistakes, pursue opportunities for leadership, and build lifelong friendships. Holton-Arms is a vibrant community that values consistency and order as well as creativity and freedom.

We seek to develop personal integrity and the sense of responsibility that help young women to make wise and ethical choices. We work to build the values of respect, compassion, and service to others, within the School and in local, national, and global communities.

We believe that with intellectual curiosity, self-reliance, tenacity of purpose, and commitment to others, Holton women will make a difference in a complex and changing world.

* Jessie Moon Holton (1866-1951, co-founder)

Vision

Inspiring young women to lead lives of positive influence.

Students

We are an independent college preparatory school for girls in grades 3-12.

Total Enrollment: 665
Students of Color: 40%
Foreign National Students: 3%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 15
Students receiving financial aid: 23%
100% of Holton-Arms graduates are accepted to four-year institutions.
More than 60% of Upper School students and 100% of Middle School students participate in a sport.
Approximately 85% of Upper School students enrolled in at least one Fine & Performing Arts class.
Unique curricular opportunities including Global Education and Center for the Advancement of STEM.

Faculty & Staff

Total Faculty and Staff: 175
Total Faculty: 116
81% of faculty hold advanced degrees
Average number of years current faculty have been at Holton: 11

Alumnae

Total Number: 7,400
Alumnae Working at Holton: 11
Current Alumnae Parents and Grandparents: 39
Alumnae live in 40 countries worldwide
Alumnae include engineers, executives, CEOs, rock stars, Emmy Award winners, artists, moms, musicians, philanthropists, physicians, travelers, environmentalists, attorneys, educators, chefs, authors, archaeologists, and more.

Campus

7303 River Road, Bethesda, Md. 20817

57 acres of rolling woodlands on River Road in Bethesda, Md.
Eight Wi-Fi enabled buildings, including two academic buildings and two libraries, a performing arts center, 400-seat theater, black box theater, natural light art and ceramics studios, photography lab, three dance studios, and multiple music education spaces.
Double gymnasium, indoor competition-size pool, seven outdoor tennis courts, two softball fields, a synthetic turf field, a Bermuda grass field, a fitness center, three dance studios, and an all-weather outdoor track.

Accreditation

Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools
Association of Independent Maryland Schools
State of Maryland