Holton-Arms School

Founded in 1901 by Jessie Moon Holton and Carolyn Hough Arms, the Holton-Arms School is an independent college preparatory day school for girls, grades 3 through 12, located in a suburb of Washington, D.C. The School admits students with strong academic interests and abilities who wish to engage with and contribute to the life of the School community.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Top Ranked MD School
  • Grades: 3-12
  • Yearly Tuition: $57,875
  • Acceptance rate: 100%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 10
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Holton-Arms School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Maryland for:

Category
Attribute
Sports offered
School History

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 3-12
Year Founded
1901
School Calendar
First Day of School
Thu. Aug 28, 2025
School Mascot
Panther

Student Body

Total Students
n/a
Student Body Type
% Students of Color
33%
State avg.: 37%

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
121 teachers
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
82%
Average Class Size
15 students
List of Courses Offered
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
uniform
School Colors
White, Blue

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Jan. 10
Yearly Tuition Cost
% on Financial Aid
24%
Acceptance Rate
100%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Director
Leslie Nelson

Sports

School Notes

  • School and Community: Founded in 1901by Jessie Moon Holton and Carolyn Hough Arms, the Holton-Arms School is an independent college preparatory day school for girls, grades 3 through 12, located in a suburb of Washington, D.C. The School admits students with strong academic interests and abilities who wish to engage with and contribute to the life of the School community.
  • Mission Statement: The mission of the Holton-Arms School is to cultivate the unique potential of young women through the "education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit."
  • Approach and Philosophy: Learn Well, Live Well, Lead Well (LW3) is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional philosophy of education.To cultivate the unique potential of students to become change agents, we believe their education needs to be one in which they are given the tools to learn well, live well, and lead well. Programmatically, LW3 is the framework for building Holton's curriculum. It allows us to stretch the work we do with students beyond traditional academics and builds essential competencies needed for future leaders.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Holton-Arms School cost?
Holton-Arms School's tuition is approximately $57,875 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Holton-Arms School?
The acceptance rate of Holton-Arms School is 100%, which is higher than the national average of 78%.
What sports does Holton-Arms School offer?
Holton-Arms School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Winter Track. Holton-Arms School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Maryland for most sports offered.
What is Holton-Arms School's ranking?
Holton-Arms School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Maryland for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Holton-Arms School?
The application deadline for Holton-Arms School is Jan. 10.

School Reviews

5  
Holton-Arms is an excellent all-girls college-preparatory school with a superb faculty, a diverse and dynamic student body, and and cutting-edge technology program with a balanced use of traditional methods of teaching with the latest in educational technology tools. Holton girls endure the academic rigor because they are high caliber students who strive for their best. They are supported by the Holton faculty and community in ways that allow their intellectual curiosity to grow and flourish. This is a warm and supportive community that celebrates all the girls'' success and supports them to learn from their mistakes. It is a place where even the quiet, more introverted girls can shine and feel safe to take risks and be challenged. This is how a girl's school education should be.
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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Top Ranked MD School
  • Grades: 3-12
  • Yearly Tuition: $57,875
  • Acceptance rate: 100%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 10
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Bethesda, MD is $31,244 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Bethesda, MD is 70% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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