“I used to associate school and learning with struggling.”

Before finding Holden, a top-rated Bay Area alternative high school, much of his school day consisted of dodging threats from bullies leaving him little energy to learn. So, when recent Holden graduate Gabe first discovered Holden, he arrived weary of the concept of school. 

“The time I spent in mainstream schools led me to lose trust in my teachers. I viewed school (and learning) as something to dread. To say that I hated it would be an understatement,” remarked Gabe.

“My previous instructors were not equipped to teach students like me with ADHD and assumed that I wasn’t trying, even though I genuinely was. It’s just that my ADHD causes me to learn differently,” he continued.

Holden recognizes that the traditional education model of memorizing facts and figures to regurgitate information on a test does not work for all students.

We crafted a customized learning path that allowed Gabe to graduate from Holden with academic confidence and a game plan for his life after high school.

“Attending an alternative high school increased my confidence.”

“Once I began attending Holden, the burden of worrying about how I would fit in academically lifted, and I was more relaxed and confident. I opened up, and it was much easier to socialize and make friends. My close relationships with the students and staff made it feel more like a family than a school,” explained Gabe.

“Holden treats students as unique individuals.”

“I have never felt so comfortable around adults. Before Holden, I did not view my teachers as people. To me, they were more like correctional officers waiting to punish anyone who did not obey the rules,” he confided.

Our small, tight-knit program allows each student to learn in a way that respects their unique learning style instead of the student adapting their way of learning to fit the school. 

“I developed close relationships with my teachers and formed a special bond with Katie, my Chemistry teacher. After working with her, she could see how much I loved science and engineering, and she introduced me to an Astrophysicist named Kirsten Howley, who eventually became my mentor!” Gabe exclaimed.

This Bay Area alternative high school Helped Gabe Prepare for life after high school

With his newfound academic confidence and the support of Holden’s teachers and staff, Gabe got accepted into Merritt College. This fall, he will begin studying science and engineering.

If your child feels stuck in life or their high school experience, an alternative high school might be a great fit. Schedule a tour and discover if our vibrant community is right for your family. Our small, tight-knit program allows each student to learn to respect their unique learning style instead of the student adapting their way of learning to fit the school.