Welcome to Holder School!
It is with great excitement and deep gratitude that I introduce myself as the new principal of Holder School. Prior to serving as the Principal of Reid School in the Savanna School District, I had the privilege of teaching Holder’s preschool students with special needs. I'm truly honored to re-join this vibrant learning community. With twenty years of experience in education, I am passionate about creating environments where excellence, equity, and empathy guide everything we do.
Holder School, home of the Hawks, is a beautiful campus in southwest Buena Park where we believe in giving every child a chance every single day to reach their full academic, social, and emotional potential. We know that each child possesses unique talents and strengths that are ready to be nurtured. Our dedicated teachers and support staff work tirelessly to create a caring and inclusive environment that supports the academic, social, and emotional growth of every student, empowering them to flourish.
At Holder, we are committed to delivering a comprehensive education that goes beyond academics. We emphasize character development, critical thinking, and creativity to ensure our students receive a well-rounded learning experience. Educational excellence is our goal for each and every child; our exceptional staff is dedicated to helping all students succeed. We focus on teaching the Common Core State Standards using the Go Math curriculum and Benchmark Advance English Language Arts curriculum. Our goal is to provide students with the skills they need to become proficient, confident problem solvers, critical thinkers, and collaborative learners.
Holder Hawks are truly Honorable, Accountable, Welcoming, Kind, and Scholarly. They take great pride in their learning, and I have no doubt they will be prepared to excel in whatever paths they choose in life. When staff and students share common expectations and work together to create a safe, healthy environment, it sets the stage for everyone to be successful and helps each student reach their true Holder Hawk potential.
I feel fortunate to work with such a dedicated, professional, and caring staff, and to serve an amazingly supportive community. As we move forward, we will continue to build on our academic and social excellence by fine-tuning our engagement strategies and strengthening our Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS). Together, we will inspire our students to soar and become the very best versions of themselves.
I can’t wait to celebrate our students’ successes in academics, citizenship, music, and athletics during our weekly flag ceremonies and trimester awards assemblies. I look forward to an incredible year ahead with our Holder Hawks!
Holder School's Instructional Program
At Holder School, our instructional strategies and practices are carefully aligned with the Common Core State Standards to ensure a strong academic foundation for all students. Our dedicated staff provides high-caliber learning experiences within a caring and nurturing environment where every child feels included, respected, and valued. We want all of our students to develop and maintain a lifelong love of learning!
We continue our strong focus on Benchmark Advance, working with students to master academic vocabulary, become fluent readers with strong analytical thinking skills, and learn to communicate effectively through writing. In grades 3–6, students also focus on developing their cursive writing skills, adding an important dimension to their written communication.
This year, we are excited to expand opportunities in the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA), allowing every student to engage in dance, theatre arts, and choral music. Additionally, we are introducing a new history-social science curriculum designed to inspire meaningful exploration of the world around them and encourage students to become thoughtful, informed citizens. These essential skills and rich learning experiences are emphasized in all classrooms and at every grade level as we continue to equip our students to build a bright and successful future.
Holder School is a community of caring individuals committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment where students feel supported and empowered. Our staff actively works to address student needs and concerns, modeling and upholding our core expectations every day. We encourage our students to demonstrate the traits of being Holder H.A.W.K.S. — Honorable, Accountable, Welcoming, Kind, and Scholarly — as they grow into responsible and compassionate learners.
We look forward to an amazing school year ahead with our Holder Hawks!
Ms. Maria Garcia
About our Principal
Mrs. Maria Garcia, Holder School Principal
Ms. Garcia began her educational career as an instructional assistant in a predominantly Spanish-speaking community, where she discovered her love for working with children and supporting families. While working and attending school, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Communication Disorders from Cal State Los Angeles. After working with the Department of Mental Health, serving at-risk students, she pursued and completed her Master’s Degree and Credential in Special Education. She then taught as a Special Education Early Childhood Teacher, serving students with disabilities.
Born in Guatemala, Ms. Garcia came to the United States at the age of two. Her early experiences, including helping her mother with housekeeping and supporting her family’s hard work, shaped her understanding of perseverance and the value of education. These experiences give her a unique perspective and a deep ability to connect with students and families, understanding firsthand the importance of strong support systems and cultural competence.
Ms. Garcia is passionate about fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. She looks forward to partnering with Holder’s dedicated staff and wonderful community to continue building a school culture that celebrates growth, learning, and belonging.
