Holton-Arms School Photo #2

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. Holton-Arms School encourages young women to approach the world with a thirst for challenge, unflinching curiosity, and a sense of responsibility to use what they learn for the greatest good.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Top-Ranked MD School
  • Grades: 3-12
  • Yearly Tuition: $60,535
  • 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
Colors
White, Blue
School Calendar
First Day of School
Tue. Sep 8, 2026
Campus Size
57 acres

Student Body

Student Body Type
% Students of Color
33%
State avg.: 39%

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
121 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 11:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
82%
Average Class Size
15 students
List of Courses Offered
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
uniform

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Jan. 10
Yearly Tuition Cost
% on Financial Aid
21%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$37,531
Admissions Director
Kathleen Kuklewicz
Application URL

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
50 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Access (ASL)Architecture and Design
Art ClubBlack Student Union
Body PositivityBusiness and Finance Club
Chemistry ClubChess Club
Classics ClubCommunity Engagement Club & Organization Chapters
Culinary ClubDebate Team
Drama ClubEast Asia Culture Club
Environmental Action ClubFilm and Media
Future Faces of MedicineHappiness Club
Hispanic and Latinx Student Association (HLSA)It’s Academic
Jewish Culture Club (JCC)Math Club
Mental Health Awareness ClubMixed Student Union
Model UNMuslim Student Associations
Neurodiversity ClubPage Turners Book Club
Peer TutoringPersian Culture Club
Robotics ClubScreen Club (Holton's Video News/Entertainment Show)
Scribbler Student NewspaperScribe (Yearbook)
Scroll (Literary Magazine)South Asia Culture Club
SpectrumTour Guides
Well Read WomenWorld Language Club
Young ActivistsYoung Democrats
Young Republicans


Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber OrchestraChorus
Handbell ChoirJazz Band
Orchesis (Dance Ensemble)String Orchestra
Wind Ensemble

School Notes

  • School Motto: Find a Way or Make One
  • School Mascot: Panthers
  • 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."
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Holton-Arms School cost?
Holton-Arms School's tuition is approximately $60,535 for private students.
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, Most extracurriculars 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 Facts (2026)

  • Top-Ranked MD School
  • Grades: 3-12
  • Yearly Tuition: $60,535
  • 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 $33,796 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Bethesda, MD is 66% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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