Holden High School

I cannot say enough positive things about Holden High School. Our daughter was struggling to say focused in the chaos of a big public high school. She moved to Holden her Sophomore year and since the day we walked in Holden's front door we have felt an enormous sense of relief. The staff is phenomenal - they make a concerted effort to truly understand every student as learners and as people. We feel like Holden staff have perfected the process of supporting students academically while pushing them to be self-motivated and independent. They push the kids to be their "best selves"

All three of my children attended Holden and we will forever be grateful. Our oldest transferred to Holden after a head injury and stayed for two years before returning to our local public school for his senior year. Our middle daughter wanted a small social environment, loved it, blossomed and stayed for all four years of high school. Our youngest kid is on the ASD spectrum and has some mental health challenges. Holden was kind and patient over the four years they were there. That's a total of ten kid years at Holden!

What's different about Holden is not just the small size, but also

This place, these people. It is going to sound wildly melodramatic but it's entirely true to say this place saved my life. Many of the same teachers are still at the school and that's one of the many reasons I remain connected to this incredibly special place. This is the place for the kid who isn't going to stay in school anywhere else. This is the place for the kid who needs a smaller class size and more interesting subjects to engage with. This is the place for the kid who has trauma they don't know how to express yet. This is place for the kid so talented and bored in their

I am an ex-student at Holden. I went there for quite a while and my first year there was amazing. Ever since then, the newer students who came in were out of control. There is absolutely no control from the teachers on the students who constantly yell and wreck havoc in every class. On top of that, there's name-calling and slurs being thrown around from the students and most of them cuss every 3rd word. I got cussed at and bullied even with teachers around who did not even bat an eye. There's nobody who holds these students accountable and they get away with everything if it isn&apos

This school was once quiet good emotionally for teens with problems but over time has changed a lot. They lost their best teachers especially the former drama teacher who was really the heart of the school and what made it such an amazing place. I'm sad to see how it has changed. I'm glad to have been a student when it was a good school and sad that I wouldn't feel comfortable sending my own kids there.

Fall 2014-2015 was my daughters first year at Holden. As I'm writing this review she is signing her friends school year book on her last day of school.
I am so thankful for this little school and all the teachers and staff that make this school so extraordinary. I wish I heard about this school when my older son first entered HS.
The school itself is small ,renting space from the church but has no affiliation with. At first we thought wow this place is small but as the year went on we realized that with only 45+ students it is the perfect size. So if you are looking for a school with lots

I worked at Holden for 36 years and retired a few years ago, so I am anything but unbiased. I continue to go to graduations twice a year and am delighted to see that student and family outcomes are as spectacularly positive as they have always been.
I experienced Holden as a parent as well—my daughter attended for her senior year, and the experience was transformative for all of us. My daughter had earned her UC course requirements previously while she was at Oakland Tech. Holden’s part in her UC applications was to take pressure off her senior year so that she had time and positivity to dance

Not every kid fits into the mainstream educational system of Lamorinda. Whether they misfit socially or academically, Holden has created a place where they will fit in. Our son has attended Holden for just over a year; the transformation in him has been unbelievable. The supportive and caring staff at the school has been the source of this transformation. Before attending Holden, our son was so overcome with anxiety he could not attend the local public high school; he now is excelling in all subjects, has 100% attendance, and is on track to graduate in a few months. What a difference a proper placement

If your high school student is struggling in a traditional high school setting, I would strongly recommend Holden High School. Classes are small, therefore giving your son or daughter the individual attention he or she needs.
The students at Holden are there for various reasons. This can be from the unwillingness to cope, bullying and struggles with learning.
Barely finishing middle school, even with the help of therapy and other resources my daughter refused to attend high school. Depression was an issue. We had no support from the school district. Thank goodness for Holden.
My daughter attended

Holden High School was a godsend for our son and our family. The dedicated, experienced, excellent faculty used great respect and nurture with our son. He came in hating school, turned off, no longer curious and graduated with honors, one semester early, with a college scholarship. He remains in touch with and close to his high school teachers.
Holden is a unique, alternative option for high school age kids. Our family highly recommends this school. A gem.

Holden High School is an incredible place for students to receive a comprehensive education with a dedicated, caring faculty. Students are provided an incredibly supportive environment where each individual is heard, acknowledged, encouraged and inspired. I’m a former student and truly believe in what Holden gives to the community. I once heard a Holden Director say, “our students are never made to earn respect, they are given it freely.” So true and for so many teenagers, Holden is exactly what they need. Go Holden!

Avoid this school and look elsewhere by all means. They totally ripped me and my son off from his education. Payment arrangements were set up and fully paid upon and now 2 years later they are sending me a large bill they are threatening me to pay or else they will take legal action towards me. They make so many promises that they fail to follow up on. My son who has been in privates schools since day 1 said he didn't enjoy the school at all.
Only positives with this school is the location.