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Average

#1294 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Holden High School

High School

10 IRWIN WAY, Orinda, CA 94563

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

35

Student-Teacher

2.7:1

Score

5.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Orinda

#2 of 2

public schools

California high schools

#217 of 277

About Holden High School

Holden High School serves just 35 students in grades 9-12 in the affluent community of Orinda, California. This small public high school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 2.7:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive highly personalized attention. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #214 out of 1,790 high schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among California schools.

This impressive performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence in its small-school setting. Holden High School's intimate size allows for close relationships between students and faculty, fostering a supportive educational community where individual needs can be addressed effectively. The extremely low student-teacher ratio suggests opportunities for customized learning approaches and meaningful mentorship.

The school is located in one of California's most prosperous communities, where the median household income exceeds $250,000 and 86% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a poverty rate of just 2.1% and median home values approaching $1.7 million, the Orinda area reflects strong community investment in education. Holden High School sits within this large suburban setting that combines residential tranquility with access to the broader Bay Area's educational and cultural resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 35 students, Holden High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 2.7:1, Holden High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Holden High School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Holden High School compares to the 6 public schools in Orinda, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
2.7:1
This School
vs
20.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
35
This School
vs
623
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.6
This School
vs
8.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 71.4% vs 0%
Black 11.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 11.4% vs 0%
Asian 5.7% vs 0%
Holden High School Orinda Public Avg

All Schools in Orinda

School Rating
Holden High School (this school) 5.6
Wagner Ranch Elementary 8.4
Sleepy Hollow Elementary 7.7
Glorietta Elementary 7.8
Orinda Intermediate 8.4
Del Rey Elementary 7.3
Miramonte High 8.4

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 2.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 5.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 902
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 46%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 35
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 71.4%
Black 11.4%
Hispanic 11.4%
Asian 5.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

10 IRWIN WAY, Orinda, CA 94563

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Holden High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HOLY NAMES HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Oakland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ORINDA ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Orinda, see our Orinda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Holden High School Orinda 0.0 mi
ORINDA ACADEMY Orinda 0.3 mi 6.8
Orinda Academy Orinda 0.3 mi
Wagner Ranch Elementary Orinda 1.3 mi 8.4
Sleepy Hollow Elementary Orinda 1.7 mi 7.7
Glorietta Elementary Orinda 1.7 mi 7.8
Happy Valley Elementary Lafayette 2.9 mi 8.2
CONTRA COSTA JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Lafayette 2.9 mi 7.3
Kaiser Early Childhood Center Oakland 3.2 mi 7.4
Del Rey Elementary Orinda 3.4 mi 7.3
Contra Costa Jewish Day School Lafayette 2.9 mi
Thornhill Elementary Oakland 3.6 mi 6.3
Orinda Intermediate Orinda 3.3 mi 8.4
Bentley School Oakland 3.3 mi
Montclair Elementary Oakland 4.0 mi 7.1
Pear Tree Community School Oakland 3.6 mi
AURORA SCHOOL Oakland 3.9 mi 6.5
Hillcrest Oakland 3.9 mi 5.1
Holy Names High School Oakland 3.9 mi
HOLY NAMES HIGH SCHOOL Oakland 3.9 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94563 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$250,001

Median Home Value

$1,810,100

Median Rent

$2,407/mo

Population

19,409

College Educated

85.3%

Homeownership

92.1%

Avg Commute

36.4 min

Poverty Rate

2.1%

Median Age

49

Community Profile

The community surrounding Holden High School has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,810,100, with a median rent of $2,407/month. The local poverty rate of 2.1% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Legacy High Ojai, CA 5.6
Mt. McKinley Martinez, CA 5.6
OCEAN VIEW NPS Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 5.6
Princeton High Princeton, CA 5.5
Cambridge High Coalinga, CA 5.7
Clovis Community Day Secondary Clovis, CA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Holden High School

What grades does Holden High School serve?

Holden High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Holden High School?

Holden High School has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Holden High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Holden High School is 2.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Holden High School rank in CA?

Holden High School is ranked #1294 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Holden High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Holden High School has a composite rating of 5.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Holden High School a private school?

Yes, Holden High School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Holden High School a religious school?

No, Holden High School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (937/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Orinda). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
35
Gender Split
40% M / 60% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
2.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
5.5 hours
Days Per Year
164 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
CONTRA COSTA
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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