Success After High School

LIFE PREP SKILLS & TOOLS

Holden Students Graduate with a Solid Post High School Plan

Post High School Planning

Dreams, Passions, and Visions is a class about self-exploration and career development. With staff support, students create resumes, research careers / professions, practice interview skills, and apply for jobs and internships.
With staff support, Holden students research schools, prepare admission requirements, complete applications, and choose a school that fits their needs. We help students feel prepared for college by improving their test-taking and independent living skills, as well as offering families transition meetings, practice exams, and college essay workshops.
Each year students complete self-designed projects that assist in completing community service, developing outside interests, applying to jobs or internships, and creating a post-graduation plan.
Holden offers electives designed to teach and nurture crucial independent living skills personally, academically, professionally, and socially. Examples include Sewing, Gardening, Making Friends, Anxiety Management, Study Skills, and Cooking. All classes help students grow their social-emotional learning.
Holden’s team includes Transition and College Counselors; Grade Level Advisory Leaders; Therapeutic Counselors and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists; Credentialed Learning Specialists; and teaching staff. Included in tuition are unlimited family meetings; transition meetings to support planning for post-graduation vocational or collegiate programs; and a parent support group.
Holden empowers students by forming strong relationships and developing effective communication skills. Our program instills the values of collaboration, kindness, and community by building strong positive peer and staff relationships with students. We also offer a number of field trips to foster social connection, enrich curriculum, and expose students to possible careers, colleges, jobs, and internships.

Holden High nurtures the social, emotional, and academic well-being of each student through differentiated holistic instruction. Our students graduate prepared to lead a meaningful and successful life.

Schedule a tour to see if Holden is the right fit for you.

 

Our graduates move on with self-confidence, effective communication skills, a strong sense of community, and a lifelong love of learning.

SOME OF OUR GRADUATES NEXT STEPS HAVE INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:

ATTEND 4-YEAR COLLEGES INCLUDING:

  • Willamette University; Salem, OR
  • Warren Wilson College; Swannanoa, NC
  • Antioch University New England; Keene, NH
  • Evergreen State College; Olympia, WA
  • Prescott College; Prescott, AZ
  • Naropa University; Boulder, CO
  • The San Francisco Art Institute; San Francisco, CA
  • California College of the Arts; Oakland, CA
  • University of Puget Sound; Tacoma, WA
  • Lewis and Clarke College; Oregon, WA
  • UCLA; Los Angeles, CA
  • Cal Poly Humboldt; Humboldt, CA
  • CSU Longbeach; Longbeach, CA
  • San Francisco State; San Francisco, CA
  • Sacramento State; Sacramento, CA
  • Brandeis University; Waltham, MA

ATTEND 2-YEAR COLLEGES INCLUDING:

  • Cotty College; NV & MI
  • Diablo Valley College; Pleasant Hill, CA
  • College of the Redwoods; Eureka, CA
  • Peralta Colleges; Oakland, CA
  • Cabrillo College; Aptos, CA
  • Chabot-Las Positas Colleges; Hayward, CA

ESTABLISH PROFESSIONAL CAREERS AS:

  • Professor of Environmental Engineering
  • Licensed Speech Pathologist
  • Certified Nurse Practitioner
  • Credentialed Education Specialist
  • Doctor of Internal Medicine
  • Fashion Designer
  • Hair Salon Owner/Operator
  • Business Owner/Founder Music School
  • Director of Human Relations
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Teacher

TRAIN AND WORK IN VOCATIONS INCLUDING:

  • Cosmetology
  • Auto Mechanics
  • Horticulture
  • Culinary Arts
  • Public Service
  • Construction

PURSUE CAREERS IN THE ARTS INCLUDING:

  • Photography
  • Dance Choreography
  • Music Composition
  • Sound Engineering
  • Independent Filmaking
  • Graphic Design
  • Make Up Artist

Testimonials

changing lives since 1969

"Holden has helped me feel confident enough to open up and share my ideas and opinions. I plan to enroll in community college to study aviation and graphic design."
Holden sweatshirt
CoreyHolden Graduate
"The Transition Counselors at Holden have helped me organize my path to college. It's been very productive. This fall I'll attend Sacramento Community College."
Jack
JackHolden Graduate
"Holden supports but doesn't coddle. It pushes me to be my best. I have to earn my privileges through things like community service and clean-up crew that prepare me for life outside of school."
Ari
AriHolden Graduate
"Graduating from Holden is bitter-sweet. I'll miss the close-knit feeling of being in such a small community. I'm excited to start at Prescott College to study Wilderness Leadership."
Holden sweatshirt
ZaylaHolden Graduate
"My favorite Holden memory was our school field trip to Kennedy Park. After my gap year, I'll attend the College of Alameda and take a mechanics class."
sweathshirt
WalterHolden Graduate
"I didn't do well in traditional schools because my ADHD means I learn differently. Holden gave me lots of support to pursue my passion for engineering and science."
Gabe
GabeHolden Graduate
"I am forever grateful. This school not only saved my life, but gave me a safe place to explore, grow, and heal."


Krystal
KrystalHolden Graduate
"Holden is a real community. Everyone belongs. I love the freedom I have to express myself. I feel respected here."


Kayla
KaylaHolden Graduate
"Before Holden, I struggled in crowded public school classrooms with teachers who could not support a student with ADHD. I've grown so much at Holden"

Carlo
CarloHolden Alumnus
"Holden gave me a better understanding of myself and how I affect the world around me. It gave me direction, and guided my creativity"

Elliot "Oden"
Elliot "Oden"Holden Graduate
"I am so grateful to work in a school with a collaborative staff that truly respects and supports each individual student."


Abby
AbbyHolden Director
"Holden helped me learn to really enjoy life and express my feelings. Holden helped me through a lot of dark times and I'm forever thankful."

Beatrice
BeatriceHolden Graduate
“I have matured in ways that wouldn’t have been possible without the community at Holden.”


Brandon
BrandonHolden Graduate
"Holden is a community. We check in with each other, teach and learn from one another, and help each other succeed. I love working here!"

Libby
LibbyHolden Teacher
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HOLDEN HIGH SCHOOL

  • 925-254-0199
  • 925-254-6130
  • 10 IRWIN WAY, ORINDA, CA 94563
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