The Holyoke High School Opportunity Academy Class of 2024 graduated Friday, June 14 2024, in an emotional ceremony held in the Holyoke War Memorial.
Some of OA’s 88 graduating seniors previously participated in the HHS Dean Campus graduation on May 30 or the HHS North graduation on May 31. OA seniors are offered the choice of which ceremonies to participate in, selecting the experiences that are most meaningful to them.
OA Principal Phelipe Johnson spoke to the spirit of perseverance that embodies the 2024 graduates. Also speaking to the graduates and families were Superintendent Anthony Soto, Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, and English language arts teacher Danielle Razon.
Each graduate had a moment in the spotlight in more ways than one when they crossed the stage to receive their diploma. For each student, staff shared remarks about their individual journeys that led them to this moment, and the strengths that will carry them far as they head into their lives after high school.
OA offers a set of alternative high school pathways that allow students to continue or restart on a pathway to a diploma if they are not succeeding in a more traditional high school setting. Students can earn high school credits, prepare to pass the MCAS, and graduate with a Holyoke Public Schools diploma or a state-granted diploma through one of three pathways:
HPS Success Center is a project- and competency-based program for high school and adult learners to complete their diplomas at their own pace with a primary person system
Gateway to College is offered to HPS students on the Holyoke Community College campus to earn a high school diploma and college credits at the same time.
LightHouse offers a collaborative learning environment in partnership with Opportunity Academy, which serves a small number of students each year who thrive better in this setting compared to a traditional classroom.