Student Life

Leadership

"Holderness student leaders...do what is necessary to get the job done; they can recognize, appreciate, and respect individual differences while acting for the good of the whole community; they are compassionate and caring; they have your respect and can maintain it; they are those upon whom you think authority should be placed." -- The Holderness School Student Handbook

Leadership at Holderness

At Holderness leadership is integrated into every aspect of our culture; we provide grade-level appropriate curricular and extra-curricular opportunities to apply learning in real time, in real conditions, in ordinary and extraordinary circumstances for all four years of a Holderness education.

We teach kids to step forward with courage, humility, and endurance so that they can transform their own lives and work for the betterment of humankind.

It works, too. Our graduates start companies, perform research, direct national programs, and win prestigious awards. Our graduates also nurture their families, love and steward their local ecosystems, care about and serve their neighbors, handle personal crises with confidence, and approach the challenges and joys of their lives with open minds.

The experiential learning programs highlighted below give a good representation of the kind of journey our kids are on. Keep in mind, however, that our young pathfinders are taught to make their own way; every path is unique.

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  • Academics

    Out Back
    Out Back is a challenging, ten-day winter camping experience for 11th graders, that teaches leadership, team-building, and wilderness survival skills. Click here to learn more about this life-changing program.

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  • Academics

    Outdoor Education
    From Outdoor Chapel to science labs on Squam Lake, we believe students should be outside, participating in hands-on activities. Learn about all the opportunities Holderness offers to students that get them out in nature.

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  • Academics

    Project Outreach
    Every March, 9th graders travel to Philadelphia for a 10-day leadership experience during which they volunteer in the Fairmount Parks, at the St. Barnabas Mission, and at Philabundance. Click here to learn why service is so important to us.

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  • Academics

    Job Program
    Every Holderness student is responsible for the well-being of some part of the campus, working with staff to care for our buildings and grounds. Read more about one of our signature programs.

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  • Student Life

    Clubs
    At Holderness students pursue music, creative writing, outdoor interests, environmental and social activism and other interests through our many clubs. Learn more about our students' passions and interests below.

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  • Academics

    Artward Bound
    Every March during Special Programs, our 10th graders participate in a 10-day work with visiting musicians, dancers, visual artists, and poets. Click here to learn more about the program and to see pictures from this past year.

    View Artward Bound

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  • Academics

    Senior Thesis
    Senior Thesis incorporates research, experiential learning, mentoring, and presentation skills into one capstone project. Click here to learn more about the wide range of subjects our seniors choose to investigate.

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Holderness School
33 Chapel Lane, Holderness NH, 03245
mail P.O Box 1879 Plymouth, NH 03264-1879
phone (603) 536-1257