Emma Harwayne (in the turquoise sweater) smiles for the camera
during her Algebra class Photo Cristina Kim
Nestled in the hills of Orinda, Holden High School (Holden) is one of Lamorinda's best kept secrets. Holden is a private school located right next to the Orinda Community Church. Although few Lamorinda residents are aware of this alternative high school, Holden is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year. Founded in 1969, the school was built to provide a place where students who were not excelling in traditional school settings could succeed. According to Kristin Lamoureux, one of the school's co-directors, Holden was created in order to inspire students who, at other schools, would "just go through the motions." Today the school still reaches out to students who feel that their current schools are not a good fit but have the potential to achieve success with more personal attention.
The school currently has 35 students from all over the Bay Area; about 50 percent hail from Contra Costa County. Individual class sizes are small and allow students and teachers to build very close relationships that break power hierarchies. For instance, students are encouraged address teachers and counselors by their first names.
Although it may seem like a minor detail, allowing students to address their teachers by their first names is part of the greater ethos of the school. Holden is dedicated to building autonomous students.
Emma Harwayne, a senior at Holden, believes that the smaller classes are more personal and really enjoys that at Holden, "teachers are equals." Harwayne feels that establishing relationships with teachers and other adults that are not based on power hierarchies helps her and other students "in the real world." She has recently been applying for jobs and feels that viewing adults as her equals boosts her confidence and allows her to feel comfortable in job interviews. Harwayne also shares that, at Holden, she has learned "to be independent as opposed to listening to a group of friends," which has truly transformed her life. "I have learned more here in two years than in the three years that I spent in public school," she concludes. Lamoureux feels that Holden's success as a school is based on the fact that, first and foremost, it is a caring community. The school has a weekly community meeting in which students and teachers meet and discuss classes, address issues and celebrate student and teacher achievements. Holden also provides students with weekly Resource and Support (R&S) sessions in which students talk with Marriage and Family Therapists. Lamoreux believes that "students are more engaged learners if they have a say in what they are learning," and that listening to students in the community meetings and in the R&S sessions allows students to take ownership of their education.
The school has a rigorous curriculum that resembles any other high school. Students are expected to take English, Social Science, Math, Science, and Art courses, and must also take community college classes their junior year. Many Holden alumni continue their educations in four-year liberal arts colleges, community colleges or vocational schools. Each graduating class is very different, but the transitional counselor and other faculty help individual students achieve their post-graduation goals.
Lamoureux projects that the school will grow in the future to accommodate more students and provide even more resources. Under the current economic climate the school, which relies on some external funding to provide financial aid to students, has put growth plans on temporary hold. Instead, Holden is continuing to focus on its students and to plan for its 40th Anniversary Bash and fundraiser this March.
Kristin Lamoureux in the commons room at Holden High School Photo Cristina Kim
The school currently has 35 students from all over the Bay Area; about 50 percent hail from Contra Costa County. Individual class sizes are small and allow students and teachers to build very close relationships that break power hierarchies. For instance, students are encouraged address teachers and counselors by their first names. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA