Welcome to Holland Language Academy

I believe every child deserves the chance to succeed, no matter their circumstances. As a proud graduate of Holland Public Schools and a parent whose children learn in our buildings, I believe deeply in the work we are doing together for my children and yours.
This is my nineteenth year in education and my eleventh as principal, yet my passion for teaching and supporting children has never been stronger. I am grateful for the privilege of serving the community that shaped me, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together for our students this year.
-Iliana Vasquéz
Principal
The Red Note - HLA Newsletter
Check here each Sunday afternoon for an updated newsletter.
What's Happening at HLA:
Small Schools | Big Opportunities
Get a closer look at the Small Schools & Big Opportunities at Holland Public Schools!
Kindergarten Enrollment Nights: Come see classrooms, say Hi to your principal, and meet your teacher!
- Holland Language Academy | Wednesday, January 28, 5-7pm
- Jefferson Elementary | Wednesday, January 28, 5-7pm
- Nature-based Holland Heights| Thursday, January 29, 5-7pm
- West Elementary | Thursday, January 29, 5-7pm
HMS & HHS Enrollment Nights: Learn about classes and clubs, see the building, and meet the staff at HHS and HMS
- Step Up to Holland Middle School | Thursday, January 29, 6-8pm
- Find Your Fit at Holland High School | Monday, January 26, 6-8pm
Whats' Cooking - December
HPS Nutritional Services Monthly Newsletter:
- The Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program at West, Heights, and Jefferson Elementary is going amazingly well!
- No Cost Breakfast Program Message
- Meet the WEST ELEMENTARY Food Service Staff
Sunday, December 7, 2025
December 7, 2025
As we head into our final two weeks before Winter Break, our focus is on finishing strong. When we return in January, we will only have a few short days before beginning our winter benchmark assessments.
Please continue encouraging your child to read, read, and read some more. Pause with them to notice new vocabulary, talk about word patterns you see, and ask them to teach you our Word of the Day, which we introduce each morning during announcements.
The best way for our students to grow as readers, and as learners, is by consistently reading and building their vocabulary “word bank.” Thank you for your partnership in supporting learning at home each and every day.
Nurse Notes - December
As we approach the holiday season, it’s important to keep in mind that we need to take care of ourselves physically and emotionally. To balance holidays and health, we should think about prioritizing self-care.
Our monthly newsletter from the Holland Hospital School Nurses.
HPSPodcast 6.13
Holland Dutch Theatre is ready for opening night of The SpongeBob Musical! This week we talk with Abby Hart and Olivia Zoet from the cast of the show.
Nurse Notes - November
It's Flu Season and the Holland Hospital School Nurses have some important notes on the Flu.
Downtown Holland To Host Winter Gear Donation Drive to Benefit HPS
Downtown Holland is partnering with HPS to host a winter gear donation drive to help keep elementary school students warm and dry this winter. A total of 14 Downtown Holland businesses will be collecting donations as part of the drive, being held from November 3 – 16.
Holland Public School families in need will be able to collect the items at their Power H shopping event on November 19, with details provided to students by HPS.
Food Insecurity During the Government Shutdown
The health and well-being of HPS students & families is our highest priority.
During this government shutdown we know that many HPS families could experience food insecurity; especially those that rely on SNAP benefits. If your family is experiencing food insecurity during this government shutdown, HPS is here to help.
HPSPodcast 6.12
Holland Public Schools and the BeNice organization will host Thrive Together on Thursday evening at Holland Middle School. This is a night focused on mental health for students and their families. On the HPSPodcast his week, we talk with Holland Hospital School Nurse Program Mental Health Care Manager Lisa Gort about the district's focus on helping students Thrive and on this important event.
Thrive Together will be held Thursday, October 6, 5:30-7pm at Holland Middle School.
Whats' Cooking - November
HPS Nutritional Services Monthly Newsletter:
- Exciting News for Middle School Students Can Now Enjoy Ala Carte Options at Lunch!
- Staff Spotlights, Meet some of our HPS Nutrition Lead Food Service Servers: Lori Lutke, Heather Bowes, Linda Wilson
Meet our Student Resource Officers!
Take a look at the Holland Dept of Public Safety School Resource Officers (SRO) and Community Policing Officers who are assigned to our schools.
- Ofc. Nicole Hamberg - Holland High
- Ofc. Nic Wedeven – Holland Middle
- Ofc. Spencer DeGraaf – Heights
- Ofc. Padron-Hernandez – West and HLA
- Ofc. Rod Mendoza - Jefferson
Firearm Safety and Harm Prevention
Legal ownership of firearms comes with important safety responsibilities to prevent accidental firearm injuries and deaths, thefts, and suicide, including among children.
- Under House Bill 5451, beginning October 1, 2025, Michigan law will require school districts to distribute a safe storage informational notice—developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)—to the parent or legal guardian of each student each October.
HLA Calendar
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Upcoming Events
Subscribe to Upcoming Events Calendars-
15 December
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Holiday Pajama DayDate: Dec 15Calendar: HLA Calendar
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16 December
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Holiday Accessory DayDate: Dec 16Calendar: HLA Calendar
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17 December
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Holiday Sweater DayDate: Dec 17Calendar: HLA Calendar
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18 December
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Holiday Sock DayDate: Dec 18Calendar: HLA Calendar
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19 December
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HALF DAY - ALL StUDENTSDate: Dec 19Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Red and Green DayDate: Dec 19Calendar: HLA Calendar
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20 Decemberthru January 4
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HOLIDAY BREAK 9:00 AM to 10:00 AMHOLIDAY BREAKDate: Dec 20 - Jan 4Time: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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7 January
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HLA Ice Skate Field-trip Morin 10:10 AM to 12:20 PMHLA Ice Skate Field-trip MorinDate: Jan 7Time: 10:10 AM to 12:20 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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8 January
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Lepper & Urbina Ice Skating Trip 10:10 AM to 12:20 PMLepper & Urbina Ice Skating TripDate: Jan 8Time: 10:10 AM to 12:20 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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13 January
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Hernandez & McNeil Ice Skating Trip 10:10 AM to 12:20 PMHernandez & McNeil Ice Skating TripDate: Jan 13Time: 10:10 AM to 12:20 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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14 January
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Jan 14Calendar: HLA Calendar
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15 January
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Rodriguez & H-A Ice Skating Trip 10:10 AM to 12:20 PMRodriguez & H-A Ice Skating TripDate: Jan 15Time: 10:10 AM to 12:20 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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19 January
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MLK DAY - No SchoolDate: Jan 19Calendar: HLA Calendar
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28 January
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Kinder '26 Sibling Apps Due 3:00 PM to 4:00 PMKinder '26 Sibling Apps DueDate: Jan 28Time: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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HLA Big Opportunity Night 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMHLA Big Opportunity NightDate: Jan 28Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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11 February
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Feb 11Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Kinder ’26 apps due to enter lottery 4:00 PM to 5:00 PMKinder ’26 apps due to enter lotteryDate: Feb 11Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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17 February
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PreK-5 ConferencesDate: Feb 17Calendar: HLA CalendarTK-5 Conferences
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18 February
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Kinder '26 Lottery (if needed) 4:00 PM to 5:00 PMKinder '26 Lottery (if needed)Date: Feb 18Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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25 February
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PreK-5 ConferencesDate: Feb 25Calendar: HLA Calendar
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27 Februarythru March 2
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MID-WINTER BREAKDate: Feb 27 - Mar 2Calendar: HLA Calendar
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3 March
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HLA Family Night: Reading Night 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMHLA Family Night: Reading NightDate: Mar 3Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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11 March
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Mar 11Calendar: HLA Calendar
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27 March
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Glow Party 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMGlow PartyDate: Mar 27Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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3 Aprilthru April 12
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SPRING BREAKDate: Apr 3 - Apr 12Calendar: HLA Calendar
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8 April
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Apr 8Calendar: HLA Calendar
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24 April
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NO SCHOOL - ALL STUDENTS Scheduled: Mar 24, 2026Date: Apr 24Calendar: HLA Calendar
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30 April
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Día del Niño 11:00 AM to 12:30 PMDía del NiñoDate: Apr 30Time: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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1 May
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Talent Show 2:00 PM to 3:00 PMTalent ShowDate: May 1Time: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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7 May
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HALF DAY - ALL STUDENTS / KINDERPARADEDate: May 7Calendar: HLA Calendar
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12 May
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HLA Spring Concert 3-5th 5:40 PM to 7:40 PMHLA Spring Concert 3-5thDate: May 12Time: 5:40 PM to 7:40 PMLocation: Holland High School (PAC)Calendar: HLA CalendarChoir concert today for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students at Holland High School’s Performing Arts Center. 3rd: Arrive at 5:40, Perform from 6:00 - 6:25 4th: Arrive at 6:10, perform from 6:35 - 7:00 5th: Arrive at 6:45, perform from 7:05 - 7:30
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13 May
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be nice. WednesdayDate: May 13Calendar: HLA Calendar
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21 May
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5th Grade Graduation 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM5th Grade GraduationDate: May 21Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMLocation: HHS PACCalendar: HLA Calendar
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25 May
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HOLIDAY BREAKDate: May 25Calendar: HLA Calendar
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1 June
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Field Day 12:15 PM to 3:00 PMField DayDate: Jun 1Time: 12:15 PM to 3:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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2 June
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HALF DAY - ALL STUDENTSDate: Jun 2Calendar: HLA Calendar
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3 June
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HALF DAY/LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - ALL STUDENTSDate: Jun 3Calendar: HLA Calendar
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10 June
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Jun 10Calendar: HLA Calendar
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8 July
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Jul 8Calendar: HLA Calendar
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12 August
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Aug 12Calendar: HLA Calendar
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9 September
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Sep 9Calendar: HLA Calendar
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14 October
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Oct 14Calendar: HLA Calendar
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11 November
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Nov 11Calendar: HLA Calendar
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9 December
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Dec 9Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Holland Language Academy
461 Van Raalte Ave
Holland, MI 49423
Phone: 616-494-2600
Fax: 616-393-7652
Teachers & Staff
School Times:
- Full Day | 8:15am* - 3:21pm
- Wednesday Early Dismissal | 2:21pm
- Half Day | 8:15* - 11:20am
*Please do not arrive at school earlier than 8:10
HLA Office Hours:
- 7:45am- 4pm | M-F (August-June)
HLA Media Center
Student Handbook
Volunteer at HLA:
We love when parents or guardians get involved. Make sure to fill out the district volunteer form (once each school year) and return it to the office.
