Holy Names Academy

728 21st Avenue East

Seattle, WA 98112

8 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on June 06, 2023

The school and other families are welcoming even though we are not Catholic. I never felt I was treated any different from other Catholic parents when I visited the school. As a parent you can be involved as much or as little as you want. My oldest child was happy in public school, so I truly lost sleep over deciding on an all-girls private school. I myself had very bad experiences with mean girls in public school which made my decision even more excruciating and which makes me really sad for the people who left 1 star reviews related to bullying. I guess it shows that it is possible to come across mean girls just about anywhere, in every country and, in all walks of life.A number of things impressed me about the school. Five months into the new school year at HNA the pandemic broke out and I was extremely impressed by how well the school managed. They even practiced beforehand what online programs they would use in case schools were to close. So they were up and running within 1 day of schools closing. They were also one of the first schools to go back to hybrid, then in-person teaching. My daughter was supported in a number of ways when she required extra help during a personally difficult time. My other child had some destructive friendships in public middle school. Both my children have developed strong characters at HNA and managed to make beautiful friendships. Therefore, I will be eternally grateful for making the switch to HNA. HNA and the friendships they made at the school saved my children. I recommend HNA.
Submitted by other on October 07, 2022

I came across this website while reflecting on the horrific experience I had as a student of Holy Names Academy. I attended this high school from 2013-2017 and still to this day I deal with the psychological damage this place did to me.To start, the school is not for someone looking for a well-rounded education. The school pushes their STEM programs to a point where anything not STEM related is essentially worthless. As someone who loves the arts, and now works in a creative field, Holy Names Academy did nothing for me in terms of helping me grow this passion. If anything, I felt I needed to shove myself into a love for STEM in order to fit in with the other girls. I know this is a common feeling since multiple women I graduated with felt they needed to take AP-computer science to feel like they were good enough for the institution due to the narrative the school shoved down our throat. In addition, the school administration has clear favorites. It was never clear what the reasoning was behind this and why some girls were so publicly favored over others, but it's blatant that this type of relationship exist. During my time there I was made aware that a girl who won one of the student council positions from majority votes was not actually chosen because the "administration gets the last say." The girl who the administration picked over the one who had actually won was a blatant favorite by the administration for years. If you don't fit whatever the staff deems to be the "ideal Holy Names women" you are completely disregarded and shoved to the side by them. Lastly, and most importantly, the bullying that occurred while I was a student here was absolutely ruthless. I can't imagine the school wasn't aware that this was occurring within their building. The competitive nature of the school seeps into completely inappropriate social areas within the school. If you're not top of your spot, you were bullied. If you weren't in enough AP classes, you were bullied. If you wore the wrong clothes, you were bullied. Your family's financial situation was constantly being scrutinized by your fellow students. There was a strong "clique-ish" environment that the school did nothing about, and continues to do nothing about. The school simply does not care about the mental health of their students, their focus is all on their "golden girls" for each class and the stats they pull academically as a whole. All I can say is please reconsider sending your daughter here.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2021

We had a similar experience as the other 1 star review. Our daughter was singled out by a particular history teacher and humiliated for expressing different philosophies. Also when students were being recognized for their college choices, walking across the stage in from of the whole school she was yelled out at with a slur - no consequences for the girl that did it. We tried to intervene multiple times with little to no success for these and similar events through her time there. That being said she had several amazing/excellent teachers. No diversity of thought is accepted in many classes and the dominant paradigm dominates.
Submitted by other on February 11, 2019

Traumatic. Bullying was predominant, teachers and students alike were possessed and puppetted by resentful, life-destructive ideologies and philosophies. Such experiences have contributed to physical illness. Do not - I repeat - DO NOT send your daughter to Holy Names if you are looking for well-rounded quality education, healthy social environment, and encouragement for your daughter.
Submitted by student on June 23, 2018

I could not have picked a better school to prepare myself for college and the years to come.
Submitted by student on January 21, 2015

Holy Names is pretty much the best high school you can send your daughter to in Seattle. The community is welcoming, the teachers are outstanding, the academics are rigorous, but are beneficial for college. Even though stress runs high our school spirit is no much higher. I have had a blast going to Holy Names and I couldn't possibly imagine myself anywhere else. Holy Names teaches girls that they can succeed in anything they want to do. Holy Names gave me the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall this past summer with the choir, sing in Benaroya Hall every year, take AP Computer Science as a sophomore, make my own short films, be a homeroom representative, be in several O'Dea drama productions, attend and then lead a Search retreat, and earn a scholarship from University of Portland that will cover half my tuition for all 4 years. Holy Names has introduced me to such a diverse student body with people from all economic, cultural, and spiritual backgrounds. Every student at Holy Names is extraordinary and they all do such cool stuff that I'm always impressed by my peers. It is hard to put into words how much I love my school.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2013

My Daughter is a Sophomore at HNA and last year she achieved a 3.5 GPA after 2 Honors classes and a full year of crew. They are a well oiled machine and I am very excited for my daughter to continue High School at HNA and the friends I make as well as her new friends. If you have a smart daughter she can blossom at HNA, great academics, sports and clubs.
Submitted by student on September 17, 2011

Holy Names has provided me with the best high school experience I could ask for. I came from an advanced program in a public middle school, but felt that the experience that a small, all-female school could provide me was something that was wholly beneficial. Which was completely correct! The workload is challenging yet not too much, the teachers and students capable and friendly, and the sense of community remarkable. I feel completely prepared, and every day I look forward to going to school.