When established on the shore of Lake Merritt in 1868, Holy Names was the first high school built in Oakland.

[3] Holy Names prides itself for its rigorous academic program that reaches the standards required for college and university admission and entrance.

In addition, they can take advantage of highly competitive honors and advanced placement courses as well as the tutorial services offered through a math lab and mentor program.

Each is recommended to go beyond the minimum required classes needed to graduate in order to pursue the subjects they love.

All students are required to take Introduction to Engineering Design (IED), a Project Lead The Way course, their freshman year.