Holderness School is an independent boarding school, grades 9-12, for academically minded students with a love of the outdoors.
We are located in beautiful Holderness, NH in the heart of ski country. Visit our website to fill out an online inquiry and give us a call or email to schedule a campus visit!
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked NH School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 380 students
- Yearly Tuition: $73,800
- Acceptance rate: 35%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Holderness School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Hampshire for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Student Body
AP Courses
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School History
School Resources
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1879
School Calendar
First Day of School
Mon. Sep 1, 2025
Last Day of School
Thu. May 21, 2026
Campus Size
600
Student Body
Total Students
380 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
10%
State avg.: 17%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
53 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
62%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
21 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Comparative Government & Politics, AP Computer Science A, AP Economics, AP English Language & Composition, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP French Language & Culture, AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature, AP Statistics, AP US Government and Politics, AP US/AP European History: Advanced History of the West 1, AP US/AP European History: Advanced History of the West 2
Average SAT score
1253
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Business Casual. e.g., colored jeans, slacks or khakis, skirt, or dress and a collared shirt or blouse
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Feb. 1
Yearly Tuition Cost
$73,800
Tuition Notes
Day student tuition is 49,200
% on Financial Aid
41%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$23,000
Acceptance Rate
35%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Director
Mr. David Flynn
Admissions Associate
Ms. Erin Morales
Application URL
Endowment Size
$60 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
21 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
20 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Current Events Club, Dial Yearbook, Diversity Club, Engineering Club, Fishing Club, Green Alliance, Investment Club, Math Team, Mosaic Literary Magazine, Perspectives, Poetry Club, STEMinist, The Picador, Vestry
Arts and Music Programs:
Acapella Group, Arts in the Afternoon, Dance, Drama/Theater, Recording Studio
Recreational Athletic Programs:
The Outing Club
Current Events Club, Dial Yearbook, Diversity Club, Engineering Club, Fishing Club, Green Alliance, Investment Club, Math Team, Mosaic Literary Magazine, Perspectives, Poetry Club, STEMinist, The Picador, Vestry
Arts and Music Programs:
Acapella Group, Arts in the Afternoon, Dance, Drama/Theater, Recording Studio
Recreational Athletic Programs:
The Outing Club
School Notes
- School Motto: Pro Deo et Genere Humano – For God and Humankind
- School Mascot: Beacons
- Holderness School is an independent boarding and day school for grades 912 offering a rigorous college preparatory education and curriculum in a vibrant and supportive community.
- Holderness School's motto is very important to us. In Latin it ispro deo et genere humano.This translates as "For God and Humankind," and this value drives our focus on strengthening the minds, bodies, and spiritual lives of our students.
- We offer a college preparatory curriculum with a range of courses, very small classes, and teachers who care about you personally. Our academics will prepare you for applying to college, succeeding in college, and even help you build networks and skills for your career.
- We love the outdoors here and believe that athletics are a foundation for great health, so you'll participate in three sports a year. We offer unique sports like rock climbing and mountain biking, as well as traditional school sports like football, lacrosse, ice hockey, and soccer. Half of our students are alpine, nordic, snowboarding and freeski athletes, and many of them compete at the national or international level. But not all of them; you might be someone who gets on snow for the first time at Holderness and develops a life long love of winter sports.
- Holderness School also believes in caring for one another in active ways that lay the foundation for confident leadership. All students participate in our Jobs Program and share in the work of running the school. We are also a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools and its guiding principles are steeped in a Christian tradition of inclusion and open inquiry. Students and faculty attend chapel twice a week together and often collaborate on the service content and style.
- The sum of these values is that we have a very warm and connected community with a joyful spirit. If you choose Holderness School you will graduate with an excellent academic foundation, strong leadership skills, and life-long connections--ingredients for a happy and successful life.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Suni Williams, NASA Astronaut -
- David F. Larocque, Head of School -
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Holderness School cost?
Holderness School's tuition is approximately $73,800 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Holderness School?
The acceptance rate of Holderness School is 35%, which is lower than the national average of 70%. Holderness School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in New Hampshire with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Holderness School?
Holderness School famous alumni include: Suni Williams, NASA Astronaut and David F. Larocque, Head of School.
What sports does Holderness School offer?
Holderness School offers 21 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cycling, Field Hockey, Football, Freestyle Skiing, Golf, Ice Hockey, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Softball and Tennis. Holderness School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in New Hampshire for most sports offered.
What is Holderness School's ranking?
Holderness School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Hampshire for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.
When is the application deadline for Holderness School?
The application deadline for Holderness School is Feb. 1.
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The nearest high school and elementary school to Holderness School is Mount Prospect Academy (0.0 miles away)
The nearest preschool is White Mountain Montessori School (0.6 miles away)
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School Reviews
5 3/7/2025
My son is a freshman boarding student, and we have loved his experience so far. Communication between dorm parents, advisors, and faculty has been more than we could have imagined. The small class size has been a blessing, and he's excelling in subjects he struggled with in middle school. He plays 2 varsity sports, and the upperclassmen and coaches are all very supportive.
5 3/7/2025
Our daughter has loved Holderness School! We have been very pleased with her experience—from the classrooms to the athletic fields, the dorms, and her leadership opportunities. She loves the chance to be outdoors often. Outback, the jobs program, and the student leader selection process are all big parts of what makes this community—and the Holderness experience—so special. Highly recommend!
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