Principal's Message

Dear Current and Prospective Holmes Families,

Welcome to Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School and Humanities Magnet—a vibrant learning community where every student is known, supported, challenged, and inspired to thrive. It is a privilege to serve as principal of a California Distinguished School, School to Watch, WASC-accredited campus, SAS Demonstration Site, and nationally recognized Magnet School of Excellence.

Nestled in a quiet Northridge neighborhood near Cal State Northridge, Holmes is a place of possibility. Our Comprehensive School, Humanities Magnet and School for Advanced Studies offer rigorous, engaging learning experiences grounded in inquiry, creativity, cultural understanding, and student voice. Across classrooms, students write, discuss, investigate, design, and create as they develop the critical-thinking skills, confidence, and independence needed for success in high school, college, careers, and civic life.

Holmes students benefit from an exceptional range of opportunities in the humanities, with a vast variety of elective offerings including CTE engineering, CTE robotics, CTE digital media, computer science, music, visual arts, Japanese, esports, fine art, mariachi and a full variety of music courses, and athletics. Our clubs, competitions, performances, field trips, leadership activities, and lunchtime programs help students discover new interests, build friendships, and experience the joy of belonging to an active school community.

We believe that strong academics must be matched by strong relationships and meaningful support. Our counselors, psychiatric social worker, school psychologist, dean, nurse, teachers, coordinators, parent resource liaison, and administrative team work together to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. We also value families as essential partners and provide regular communication, workshops, meetings, and opportunities to participate in the life of our school.

At Holmes, we are building a learning community where curiosity is encouraged, achievement is celebrated, kindness matters, and students are empowered to use their knowledge and voices to improve their communities. Whether a student is analyzing a complex text, performing with our award-winning music programs, designing an engineering solution, competing in robotics, or leading a service project, we want every child to recognize their own potential.

There’s No Place Like Holmes. I invite you to learn more about our programs, visit our campus, and become part of a community committed to excellence, innovation, inclusion, and joyful learning.  If you have questions or would like to connect, please contact our main office at (818) 678-4100, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

With gratitude and high hopes,

Susie Parker
Principal
Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School and Humanities Magnet