Holderness School Photo #7 - We think that great things happen when students work alongside practicing artists. They learn not only to speak and understand the language of the arts, but how the arts can break down barriers between people, and inside them.

Holderness School

PO Box 1879
Plymouth, NH 03264
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Holderness School Photo #1 - In the Holderness classroom, each student is literally in the front row, with an average class size of 12. We offer AP courses spanning multiple disciplines and encourage students to pursue an intellectual passion of their own in their twelfth-grade year as part of the Senior Thesis program.
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Holderness School Photo #1 - In the Holderness classroom, each student is literally in the front row, with an average class size of 12. We offer AP courses spanning multiple disciplines and encourage students to pursue an intellectual passion of their own in their twelfth-grade year as part of the Senior Thesis program.
Holderness School Photo #2 - Holderness is just a few miles from the slopes of Cannon Mountain, Loon Mountain, and Waterville Valley. Our Snow Sports athletes also train in Switzerland, Colorado, Utah and California - just to name a few.
Holderness School Photo #3 - Our alumni consistently tell us that our student run Job Program was formative for their future success, noting proudly that they were supervisors, event planners, and project managers before they even graduated high school.
Holderness School Photo #4 - Our Snow Sports program is among the best in the nation, and we regularly send our skiers and snowboarders to the podium.
Holderness School Photo #5 - Even casual visitors to Holderness are struck by how often they hear "hello" in the buildings and on the walkways.
Holderness School Photo #6 - Athletics aren't just about wins and losses-they're about testing your limits. Our three-season sports philosophy is counter-cultural: instead of encouraging specialization, we honor participation and effort in everything we do. We cultivate grit and persistence. We find joy in the playing.
Holderness School Photo #7 - We have a ratio that you won't hear about at any other school 8:1. That's what we call a "ratio for relationships" - a ratio that means that for every eight students in a dormitory there is one faculty member to support, guide and mentor them.
Holderness School Photo #8 - We think that great things happen when students work alongside practicing artists. They learn not only to speak and understand the language of the arts, but how the arts can break down barriers between people, and inside them.
An independent school community committed to rigorous academics, epic adventures, and all-in athletics surrounded by New Hampshire`s lakes and White Mountains.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 300 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $71,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $47,320
  • Acceptance rate: 45%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Holderness School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2024 School Data
Holderness School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1879
1907
Campus Size
620 acres
125 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
300 students
314 students
% Students of Color
12%
27%
% International Students
14%
20%
% Students Boarding
90%
70%
Average SAT Score
1253
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Weekly
Less than once a month
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Business Casual, no denim
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
21
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
62%
71%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$60 million
$28 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$71,000
$66,200
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$47,320
$35,600
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$32,300
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline
Feb. 1
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
65%
-
Acceptance Rate
45%
60%
Director of Admissions
David Flynn
Associate Director of Admissions
Woody Kampmann

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
16
23
Extracurriculars
Academic Competition Team, Alliance Club, Blue Key, Community Service Club, Dorm Prefects, Drama Club, Environment Club, Fishing Club, Habitat for Humanity, Holdernotes Acapella, Indoor Soccer, Investment Club, Multicultural Club, Student Newspaper, Student Vestry, Yearbook

College Matriculation

Year:
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)

School Notes

  • Holderness is an independent, boarding day school, offering grades 9-12. The combination of the school's focus on community and character and its joyful outdoor spirit are what makes it distinctive. Holderness offers a first-class preparatory education, along with outstanding snow sports, athletics and arts programs. Our students graduate well-educated, resilient, and open-minded, with the skills for a happy and successful life.
  • Holderness School accreditations: NEASC, AISNE, ISANNE
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Holderness School cost?
Holderness School's tuition is approximately $71,000 for boarding students and $47,320 for day students.
What schools are Holderness School often compared to?
Holderness Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Deerfield Academy, Berkshire School, Kimball Union Academy by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Holderness School?
The acceptance rate of Holderness School is 45%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 60%.
What sports does Holderness School offer?
Holderness School offers 25 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Field Hockey, Football, Freestyle Skiing, Golf, Ice Hockey, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Track. Holderness School is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
What is Holderness School's ranking?
Holderness School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for Holderness School?
The application deadline for Holderness School is Feb. 1.

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 1980
5.00
St Lawrence University
A very low student-to-faculty ratio which encourage the students to follow their personal dreams while developing their life skills and enjoyment. . .

Class of 1980
5.00
University of Vermont
My two years at Holderness prepared me well for life by teaching me about civic pride and community participation through the student jobs program. I learned that I could overcome adversity and be self-reliant though. . .

Class of 2004
5.00
University of New Hampshire, New York School of Interior Design
Small classes sizes, from 2-15 people really forced me to be interested and taught me it's better to have attempted to do work than not do it at all - which frankly I was able. . .
Show more reviews (6 reviews)
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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 300 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $71,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $47,320
  • Acceptance rate: 45%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1
  • Source: Verified school update

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