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Holy Names High School provides a college prep education in a supportive and inclusive environment.

We pair the challenge of a college preparatory curriculum with a supportive environment and faculty relationships that ensure student success, connection, and confidence. In our intimate and open-minded community, students develop strong voices, deep compassion, and the skills and confidence they need to have a powerful impact on the world. We believe young women can choose their own trajectory free of constraints based on gender, gender identity, race, culture, or economic circumstances.

Holy Names High School provides a college prep education in a supportive and inclusive environment.

We pair the challenge of a college preparatory curriculum with a supportive environment and faculty relationships that ensure student success, connection, and confidence. In our intimate and open-minded community, students develop strong voices, deep compassion, and the skills and confidence they need to have a powerful impact on the world. We believe young women can choose their own trajectory free of constraints based on gender, gender identity, race, culture, or economic circumstances.

Holy Names High School provides a college prep education in a supportive and inclusive environment.

We pair the challenge of a college preparatory curriculum with a supportive environment and faculty relationships that ensure student success, connection, and confidence. In our intimate and open-minded community, students develop strong voices, deep compassion, and the skills and confidence they need to have a powerful impact on the world. We believe young women can choose their own trajectory free of constraints based on gender, gender identity, race, culture, or economic circumstances.

Recent News

All School Gardening 2025 Featured Photo

All School Gardening 2025

Our all-school Gardening Day was a tremendous success — and a joyful expression of who we are as a Holy Names community. The students worked incredibly hard weeding, cleaning, and preparing our hillside garden, and they did so with positive energy, teamwork, and a sense of purpose. It was wonderful to see students laughing, learning, and caring for a space that holds so much of our SNJM heritage.

Middle School ART Day is December 11, 2025 from 4:30-6:30 pm.

Middle School Art Day at HNHS
Part of our Community Connections Event Series

Join us for a vibrant day of hands-on projects, bold techniques, and creative exploration. Connect with future classmates, meet inspiring teachers, and experience how imagination and community thrive at Holy Names.
Be inspired. Make your mark. Create your future.

Art Day: 12/11, 4:30-6:30pm

Sign up for ART Day at tinyurl.com/creativeconnections2025

Open House - November 2nd, 10am-12:30pm

Join us for our annual Open House! Holy Names High School’s Open House provides prospective students and families with an opportunity to visit campus, participate in classroom tours, talk with teachers and administrators, and get a sense for what Holy Names High School is all about

Register Today: tinyurl.com/hnhsopen25

High School Placement Test Workshop 12/6/25

Classroom Matters and Holy Names High School are teaming up once again to bring you a high-quality HSPT preparation workshop!

This 3.5 hour workshop will help students gain familiarity with the test, introduce them to test-taking strategies, and review practice problems with answer explanations.

Club Fair - a big success

Our Student Club Fair was Wednesday September 17! During the Club Fair each student club had a table with club details, goals, schedule, and more. Each Club had a table board showcasing what they are all about! Students got the information from Club members, and signed-up for clubs they wanted to join.

All student clubs are student-driven! If students are interested in starting a new club, they should stop by Ms. Ankobia’s office to talk about the proposal steps.

We want all Holy Names students to participate in a Club. It is a great way to make friends, have fun, and participate in our community in a way that aligns with our Integral Student Outcomes!

Welcome to a Phone Free Campus!

Holy Names is now a cell phone free campus using Yondr pouches, allowing students to securely store their phones during the day. Click to learn more and view the new policy.

Back to School Night: Aug 28, 6-7pm

Back to School Night provides families with an opportunity to get to know their student’s teachers and learn more information about their respective courses. We aim for 100% participation and ask that at least one parent attend this very important event. We will have limited parking available on the Back Campus.

Welcome Back, Monarchs!

In mid June, all families should have received an email from Mr. Greene that included the Back to School Information Guide. Click the title above to view those items and everything you need to know for the upcoming 2025/26 school year!
Middle School Art Day Featured Photo

Middle School Art Day

Step into the world of creativity! This special event invites Middle School students to discover the joy of art. Create a masterpiece inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe, and belong to a community where creativity thrives. With a chance to experience Holy Names’ vibrant atmosphere, this is a glimpse ahead to your high school experience.

✅ Free to attend.
🖍️ All supplies included.
🔗 Register today at tinyurl.com/artday25
#GiveLikeaAGirl Raised $40,200 in One Day for College Access Featured Photo

#GiveLikeaAGirl Raised $40,200 in One Day for College Access

We did it! Over 100 alumnae, families, staff, teachers, and friends of Holy Names came together to show what it means to #GiveLikeAGirl and empower the next generation of women leaders. Thank you to our donors for answering the call of Noblesse Oblige and for helping us reach our $40k fundraising goal!

🏆 CLASS COMPETITION RESULTS! 🏆
**The Class of ‘63 wins 1st place for "Most Raised"
**The Class of ‘71 wins 1st place for "Most Participation"

Visit hnhsoakland.org/givelikeagirl to see which class years took away 2nd and 3rd place!

9th-11th grade Applications for 2025/26

Apply now to be considered for the 2025/26 school year. Don't miss your chance to become a part of the next generation of leaders at Holy Names!
Limited space is still available, with priority given to those who applied before the 1/7 deadline.
Juniors have time to reflect at the Kairos retreat in Santa Cruz Featured Photo

Juniors have time to reflect at the Kairos retreat in Santa Cruz

Kairos is a Greek word that means “the Lord’s time.” During Kairos, the junior class are offered the chance to explore and reflect on their relationships with God, self and neighbor, share stores and reflections. It was held at Villa Maria del Mar in Santa Cruz.
US History Students See Hamilton! Featured Photo

US History Students See Hamilton!

On December 4, 2024 the Junior class attended a performance of Hamilton at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco. This exciting event gave our 11th grade US History students a unique opportunity to experience some of the core lessons from our country’s Founding Fathers with a unique twist.

Written and composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, a former history teacher himself, Hamilton tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The musical follows Hamilton's life from his early years as an orphan in the Caribbean to his death in a duel with Aaron Burr, offering a unique and engaging lens through which we can explore the American Founding Era. Through the combination of modern music and engaging storytelling, Hamilton offers an engaging experience that fosters a deeper understanding of the past and its relevance to the present.

HNHS students gather soil for UC Berkeley global database

The AP Biology and Biology classes are working in collaboration with a UC Berkeley grad student to collect bacteria from soil samples and study bacterial antibiotic resistance. The classes will be working with the study for four days this semester. The data collected will be added to a global database for further environmental studies.

Cell Phone Free Campus

Beginning in April of the 24-25 school year, Holy Names will become a cellphone free campus. We have partnered with Yondr, a cell phone management system used by thousands of schools across the country (including schools in our SNJM Network). Students place their phones in secure pouches when they arrive on campus. Students carry their locked Yondr pouch with them throughout the day. Once the school day is over, students can unlock their phone at one of several magnetic unlocking stations.

In keeping with our commitment to creating safe and vibrant learning communities, moving to a cell phone free campus will help Holy Names to foster a school culture centered on peer engagement and relationship building. A cell phone free campus will enable Holy Names to better serve our students on their journey to college. Overwhelming research has shown that cellphone use, especially in teenage girls, has harmful effects on a students’ mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being. In addition to California’s mandate to limit the use of cellphones in school, this change aligns with our mission to prepare students for leadership and service. This policy update reflects our commitment to creating spaces where students can focus on developing the tools they need to be successful in high school, college, and beyond.

We want Holy Names to be a vibrant, connected campus where students are fully present and engaged in their surroundings. We aim to cultivate an environment that promotes meaningful face-to-face interactions, fosters deeper relationships, and encourages active participation in academic and extracurricular activities. We envision Holy Names as a community where students can focus on personal growth, immerse themselves in learning, and feel supported in a space that values connection, well-being, and a shared commitment to excellence.

HSPT Prep Workshop Saturday 12.7.24 9:00 - 12:30 pm

Classroom Matters and Holy Names High School are teaming up once again to bring you a high-quality HSPT preparation workshop!

This 3.5 hour workshop will help students gain familiarity with the test, introduce them to test-taking strategies, and review practice problems with answer explanations.
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College Access

College Access Image
Our on-campus UC-certified counselors leverage their decades of expertise in college admissions and work 1:1 with students from their first year. From college selection criteria and application assistance to financial aid forms and essays, our counselors work with students for multiple years to ensure students find the best fit academically, socially, and financially to thrive in college while reducing financial burden.
 
 
Learn more about the College Access Program

Our Mission

Holy Names High School, a small Catholic school for young women, provides an academically challenging college preparatory education in a vibrant learning environment. Our diverse community nurtures spirituality, encourages artistic expression, and promotes justice, preparing the next generation for leadership and service.