Holly McGlennon Treat, M.Ed.

Partner, Traditional Boarding School Advising

Holly has been helping students find their “best fit” school by successfully guiding families through the boarding school admission process since 2005. Nearly every student that she has worked with has been offered admission to a school on their list, and most have been offered admission at their first or second choice school. Holly’s prior experience as a former admission director of a secondary school gives her a keen understanding of how to strategically help each student present their best selves in the application process and optimize their admission outcomes. Furthermore, Holly’s long-standing relationships with admission directors throughout New England provides an abundance of information to guide the school search process.

Before becoming an educational consultant, Holly served as the Director of Admission and Dean of Students at The Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Connecticut; the Associate Director of Admission at both Miss Porter’s School and Miss Hall’s School; and the Director of Admission at the Salisbury Summer School. As the Secondary School Advisor at the Indian Mountain School, a junior boarding school in Lakeville, Connecticut, Holly thoroughly enjoyed helping ninth-grade graduates with their secondary school searches. This experience led her to pursue the role full time as an independent educational advisor.

Holly has a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University and is a graduate of Bowdoin College and Middlesex School, a secondary boarding school in Massachusetts. Holly was the recipient of the IECA Foundation Irv Katz Award in 2010 for her “volunteer service to children'‘.

Professional Affiliations include:

  • Professional Member, Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)

  • Current Board Member of Connecticut IECA Regional Group

  • Current Board Member of Maritime Gloucester, Gloucester, MA

  • Former member of Schools Committee and Nominating Committee, IECA

  • Former Advisory Board Member, Deep Creek Middle School, Eleuthera, Bahamas

  • Former Pro bono consultant, Deep Creek Middle School, Eleuthera, Bahamas

  • Past Board Member, NorthEast Association of Learning Specialists

  • Past Vice President, Board of Directors, Housatonic Child Care Center, Salisbury, CT

What families say about working with Holly:

  • "Holly has been amazing.  She guided us through this process which my wife and I had last encountered 35 years ago when we were applying. Holly provided support, advice and calmness when it was needed.  Our children are going to their first-choice schools. Both are ecstatic."

    —New York City parents 

  • "Holly, this has been such an amazing boarding school journey with you.  Thank you, Thank you.  Your hand-holding has been immensely helpful and reassuring, and the successful outcomes our son has achieved could not have been accomplished without you. You have our sincerest gratitude."

    —Hong Kong parents  

  • “Many thanks, Holly, for your valuable guidance and for the successful outcome. And without a doubt, any family looking to explore boarding schools, I will send them your way with the highest recommendation. Your integrity throughout the process and the honesty with which you managed our expectations and our reality made a lasting impression on me. Thank you.” 

    —Parent

  • “We have really enjoyed working with Holly. She is energetic, warm, and very professional. She is a real asset to your firm.”

     —Parent 

  • "It was an absolute pleasure to work with Holly and The Bertram Group once again this year.  Holly encouraged us to stay in the process in October as we grappled with serious issues.  We are so thankful her guidance and support. The Bertram Group has helped us find two incredible schools that reflect our family values and provide the appropriate academic and athletic environment for both our children.  We will forever be grateful!"

    —Parent 

  • "Since we spoke on Wednesday, I’ve thought a number of times about how much I appreciate the style with which you approach your conversations with us and this process overall.  The information you provide is not only thoughtful, savvy and practical, but it’s also delivered in such a supportive, reassuring, calming and confidence boosting way.  Our daughter was really starting to get nervous about the interviews before we spoke with you, and after the call she was visibly more calm and confident."

    —Parent