Holderness School


The Holderness School is a private, coeducational college-preparatory school in Holderness, near Plymouth, New Hampshire in the United States. The student body of 275 is drawn from 22 U.S. states and 14 foreign countries. While Holderness operates primarily as a boarding school, it also enrolls 50 day students. The Head of School is R. Phillip Peck, M.Ed. In the summer the campus is used as a site for various Gordon Research Conferences.

History

Founded in 1879 under the auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, the school retains some links with the denomination, but now conducts ecumenical chapel services and welcomes applicants of all faiths.

Location

The school is on high ground on the east side of the Pemigewasset River in Holderness overlooking the town of Plymouth, population about 6,000, and home of Plymouth State University and Speare Memorial Hospital. Holderness is about north of Boston. Access to Interstate 93 is within sight of the campus.

Facilities

Holderness School's of land contains academic buildings, an outdoor covered ice rink, eight playing fields, 10 tennis courts, and 10 kilometers of cross-country trails. In the past few years, the school has built a new library and health center, a new dining hall, and two state of the art residential facilities. The school has plans for a new science center, improvements to the rink, and a student life facility centering on the school's historic chapel. They are also working on a new heating systems for a few of the buildings.

Special programs

The freshman class participates in Project Outreach, a community service project. Artward Bound offers sophomores a 10-day program of intensive study with professional artists in disciplines such as glass-blowing, blacksmithing, African dance, and stand-up comedy. The "Out Back" program is a cornerstone of life at Holderness. In Out Back, juniors trek several days in a winter expedition, keep a personal journal, and experience three days solo under protective gear. Seniors complete a Senior Thesis which is a year-long experiential learning project culminating in a presentation and project.

Notable alumni