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:
2026-2027 Books & Games - HLA
Books & Games provides students with an hour of supervised reading, homework help, and games, plus a free breakfast an hour before school starts each morning.
- It also gives parents/guardians an extra hour to start their day or to get to work on time!
Students must be registered Books & Games 1 day before attending.
Back-to-School Events
School Starts Thursday, August 27!
- Takin' Care of Business Day- August 11, 1-6pm | Holland High School
- Grand Opening of Nature-based Holland Heights Elementary- August 16, 4-6pm | 856 E 12th St
- Freshman Family Night - August 18 6-8pm | Holland High School
- 6th Grade Orientation Night- August 20 5-6:30pm | Holland Middle School
- Open House - Tuesday, August 25 4-6pm | Every HPS School
2026 TCOB Day - Takin' Care of Business Day
We're getting ready for the first day of school and handling all the administrative business before the first day of school on August 27.
- Taking Care of Business Day is Tuesday, August 11
- Drop-in 1-6pm at Holland High School Office
For K-12 families who have NOT completed online registration OR who need assistance with:
- Registration or Enrollment
- Parent Portal
- Academic counseling
- Paying fees
- These services will NOT be available at Open House on Tuesday, August 25!
Students who need transportation during the first two weeks of school must register BEFORE Wednesday, August 12.
HLA School Supply Suggested Shopping List - 2026-27
The first day of School is Thursday, August 27.
HPSPodcast 6.41
On the podcast this week, we talk with Patty Beatty, Director of Early Childhood about all the great things happening with HPS Preschool.
Calendar for 2026-2027
2026-2027 Calendar Highlights
- First Day of School: August 27
- Labor Day Weekend | No School: September 4-7
- Fall Break | No school: October 23
- Professional Development Day | No school: November 6
- Thanksgiving Break: November 25-27
- Holiday Break: December 20- January 3
- MLK Day | No School: January 18
- Midwinter Break: February 26-March 1
- Professional Development Day | No school: March 19
- Spring Break: April 2-April 11
- Professional Development Day | No school: April 23
- Memorial Day | No School: May 31
- Last Day of School: June 9
Fighting the Summer Slide - Workbook
Studies show that over the summer students lose a considerable amount of what they've learned during the previous school year. That's why HPS is sending home Summer Learning bags with every K-5 student in the district.
Set aside time each day to do an activity with your child. This investment will help them stay engaged and retain more of what they've learned.
2026 Summer Adventure Camps with ODC
We are excited to announce that enrollment is now open for the 2026 Summer Adventure Camps with the Outdoor Discovery Center! This engaging summer program is designed for students going into 1st grade through 5th grade and will focus on literacy skills through hands-on, nature-rich experiences.
- Adventure Camp will be held at Jefferson Elementary 282 W 30th Street
- June 15-July 23
- 8:30am – 12:30pm each day (Breakfast and Lunch will be available at no cost.)
The Summer Adventure Camp with ODC is led by the Outdoor Discovery Center’s Education Network and will take the place of HPS Summer School. This is the ONLY Summer School option being offered at HPS in the summer of 2026 for K-5 students.
7-Day Meal Box -2026
HPS is proud to provide 7-Day Meal Boxes to families in the district during the summer months.
Each box will contain a menu with food prep instructions and food items for 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches per week.
- Meal pick-up will be located at Central Wesleyan Church (446 West 40th St. Holland MI 49423 - Door A) from 12:00-1:00 PM
- Thursday, June 11 through July 30
- Meals will be distributed based on a first come first served basis and not based on pre-registration.
There is no need to register for these meals... just stop by during the pick-up time to receive the meals for your student(s).
Nurse Notes - May
For the last 77 years, May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month. It was introduced by the organization Mental Health America, with the focus of increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting wellness.
In this month's newsletter, you'll learn more about practices that can help improve our children’s mental health as well as our own.
HPSPodcast 6.31
This week we talk with our Community Coordinators Alex Crisp (Holland Heights & HMS), Grace Stupka (West & Jefferson), and Kate Leighton-Colburn (HLA and HHS) about the Registration Block Party and Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, April 29, 5:30-7pm at Holland Middle School.
2026 District Art Awards
Congratulations to our 2026 District Art Award Winners:
- Cassidy Russell, Grade 12
- Jordan Garcia, Grade 11
- Von Bunnell II, Grade 9
- Jose Mendez Pimentel Jr, Grade 8
- Hendrick Hoekman, Grade 7
- Charlotte Buck, Grade 6
- Gennesis Ramirez-Ramirez, Holland Heights 5
- Tamari Jeanne, West 3
- Noah Fortuna, Jefferson 3
- Cecelia Ferreira, HLA 4
The award-winning artwork will hang in the Board Training Room at the District Admin Building for next year.
HLA Calendar
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Upcoming Events
Subscribe to Upcoming Events Calendars-
16 August
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Holland Heights GRAND Opening 4:00 PM to 6:00 PMHolland Heights GRAND OpeningDate: Aug 16Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PMLocation: Holland Heights Elementary 856 E 12th St, Holland, MI 49423, United StatesCalendar: District CalendarThe Holland community is invited to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Nature-based Holland Heights Elementary School! Public invited | Tour
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25 August
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OPEN HOUSE 4:00 PM to 6:00 PMOPEN HOUSEDate: Aug 25Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PMCalendar: District Calendar
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Open House 4:00 PM to 6:00 PMOpen HouseDate: Aug 25Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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27 August
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First Day of 26-27 School Year for StudentsDate: Aug 27Calendar: District Calendar
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2 September
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Sep 2Calendar: District Calendar
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4 Septemberthru September 7
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HOLIDAY BREAKDate: Sep 4 - Sep 7Calendar: District Calendar
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9 September
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Sep 9Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Sep 9Calendar: District Calendar
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11 September
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HPS Football Elementary Night 7:00 PM to 9:00 PMHPS Football Elementary NightDate: Sep 11Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PMCalendar: District Calendar
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16 September
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Sep 16Calendar: District Calendar
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21 September
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Mobile Food Pantry 4:30 PM to 5:30 PMMobile Food PantryDate: Sep 21Time: 4:30 PM to 5:30 PMLocation: Holland Public Schools, 320 W 24th St, Holland, MI 49423, USACalendar: District CalendarDrive-thru service Location: Student parking lot #1 just past 320 W 24th St, Holland, MI 49423
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23 September
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Sep 23Calendar: District Calendar
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24 September
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HPS STEM Night 5:00 PM to 7:00 PMHPS STEM NightDate: Sep 24Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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30 September
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Sep 30Calendar: District Calendar
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7 October
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Oct 7Calendar: District Calendar
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13 October
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PreK+-5 ConferencesDate: Oct 13Calendar: HLA Calendar
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14 October
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Oct 14Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Oct 14Calendar: District Calendar
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19 October
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Mobile Food Pantry 4:30 PM to 5:30 PMMobile Food PantryDate: Oct 19Time: 4:30 PM to 5:30 PMLocation: Holland Public Schools, 320 W 24th St, Holland, MI 49423, USACalendar: District CalendarDrive-thru service Location: Student parking lot #1 just past 320 W 24th St, Holland, MI 49423
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21 October
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Oct 21Calendar: District Calendar
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PreK+-5 ConferencesDate: Oct 21Calendar: HLA Calendar
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22 October
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HALF DAY FOR ALL STUDENTSDate: Oct 22Calendar: District Calendar
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PreK+ ConferencesDate: Oct 22Calendar: HLA Calendar
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23 October
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NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTSDate: Oct 23Calendar: District Calendar
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28 October
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Oct 28Calendar: District Calendar
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4 November
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Nov 4Calendar: District Calendar
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11 November
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Nov 11Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Nov 11Calendar: District Calendar
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16 November
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Mobile Food Pantry 4:30 PM to 5:30 PMMobile Food PantryDate: Nov 16Time: 4:30 PM to 5:30 PMLocation: Holland Public Schools, 320 W 24th St, Holland, MI 49423, USACalendar: District CalendarDrive-thru service Location: Student parking lot #1 just past 320 W 24th St, Holland, MI 49423
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18 November
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Nov 18Calendar: District Calendar
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25 Novemberthru November 29
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Holiday BreakDate: Nov 25 - Nov 29Calendar: District Calendar
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2 December
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Dec 2Calendar: District Calendar
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9 December
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Dec 9Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Dec 9Calendar: District Calendar
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14 December
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Mobile Food Pantry 4:30 PM to 5:30 PMMobile Food PantryDate: Dec 14Time: 4:30 PM to 5:30 PMLocation: Holland Public Schools, 320 W 24th St, Holland, MI 49423, USACalendar: District CalendarDrive-thru service Location: Student parking lot #1 just past 320 W 24th St, Holland, MI 49423
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16 December
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Dec 16Calendar: District Calendar
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18 December
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HALF DAY All StudentsDate: Dec 18Calendar: District Calendar
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19 Decemberthru January 3
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Holiday BreakDate: Dec 19 - Jan 3Calendar: District Calendar
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6 January
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Jan 6Calendar: District Calendar
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13 January
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Jan 13Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Jan 13Calendar: District Calendar
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18 January
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Holiday BreakDate: Jan 18Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Holiday BreakDate: Jan 18Calendar: District Calendar
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20 January
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Jan 20Calendar: District Calendar
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27 January
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Jan 27Calendar: District Calendar
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3 February
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Feb 3Calendar: District Calendar
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10 February
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Feb 10Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Feb 10Calendar: District Calendar
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17 February
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Feb 17Calendar: District Calendar
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22 February
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PreK+-12 ConferencesDate: Feb 22Calendar: District Calendar
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24 February
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Feb 24Calendar: District Calendar
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PreK+-12 ConferencesDate: Feb 24Calendar: District Calendar
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26 Februarythru March 1
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Mid-Winter BreakDate: Feb 26 - Mar 1Calendar: District Calendar
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3 March
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Mar 3Calendar: District Calendar
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10 March
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Mar 10Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Mar 10Calendar: District Calendar
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17 March
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Mar 17Calendar: District Calendar
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19 March
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No School - All StudentsDate: Mar 19Calendar: District CalendarProfessional Development for HPS Staff
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24 March
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Mar 24Calendar: District Calendar
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31 March
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Mar 31Calendar: District Calendar
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2 Aprilthru April 11
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Spring BreakDate: Apr 2 - Apr 11Calendar: District Calendar
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14 April
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Apr 14Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Apr 14Calendar: District Calendar
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21 April
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Apr 21Calendar: District Calendar
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23 April
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No School - All StudentsDate: Apr 23Calendar: District CalendarProfessional Development for HPS Staff
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28 April
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Apr 28Calendar: District Calendar
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5 May
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Early Release WednesdayDate: May 5Calendar: District Calendar
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6 May
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HALF DAY ALL STUDENTS - Tulip TimeDate: May 6Calendar: District Calendar
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12 May
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be nice. WednesdayDate: May 12Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Early Release WednesdayDate: May 12Calendar: District Calendar
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19 May
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Early Release WednesdayDate: May 19Calendar: District Calendar
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26 May
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Early Release WednesdayDate: May 26Calendar: District Calendar
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31 May
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HOLIDAY BREAKDate: May 31Calendar: District Calendar
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2 June
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Early Release WednesdayDate: Jun 2Calendar: District Calendar
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9 June
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Jun 9Calendar: HLA Calendar
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HALF DAY/LAST DAY - All StudentsDate: Jun 9Calendar: District Calendar
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14 July
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Jul 14Calendar: 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.
