Holmes Junior High — Davis, CA: a neighborhood hub for learning, growth, and community

 Nestled in central Davis, California, Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High — commonly called Holmes Junior High or simply Holmes — is more than a collection of classrooms and lockers. It’s a neighborhood institution where neighborhood families, teachers, and students connect across academics, arts, and after-school life. This article explores Holmes Junior High in depth: its history, academic programs, campus culture, extracurricular life, community ties, and what makes it stand out in Davis. Throughout, the focus keyword is Holmes Junior High Davis CA so readers and search engines can easily find the most relevant, up-to-date information about the school.

A brief snapshot: where and who

Holmes Junior High is part of the Davis Joint Unified School District and is located at 1220 Drexel Drive, Davis, CA 95616. The school serves roughly grades 7–9 and typically enrolls around 600–700 students, making it a mid-sized junior high in a city known for its family-oriented neighborhoods and university-town energy. Contact information and official details are available on the school and district sites. California Department of Education+1

Roots and evolution: a school with history

Holmes opened in the mid-1960s and has undergone several reconfigurations to meet changing educational models and community needs. Originally established as a junior high in 1966, the campus later adapted grade configurations and added programs that reflect Davis’s broader commitment to diverse learning pathways — including magnet and humanities offerings in the 1990s. Those changes mirror a broader national trend away from the classic junior-high model and toward a more flexible middle-school structure. holmesms.org+1

Academic programs: strong core with enrichment options

At the heart of Holmes Junior High Davis CA is a focus on solid academic outcomes. The school offers the standard middle-school core: English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies — alongside exploratory courses that give students early exposure to arts, technology, and applied skills. Holmes is known locally for supporting Gifted & Talented education and for a set of elective choices that help students find and deepen interests before high school. State and third-party school profiles show above-average achievement for the district’s middle schools, and many families cite the school’s balanced approach to academic rigor and social development as a major reason they chose Holmes. GreatSchools.org+1

Campus culture and student life

Holmes Junior High Davis CA prides itself on a welcoming, student-centered campus culture. The school promotes social-emotional learning and has counseling staff and programs aimed at helping adolescents navigate the tricky middle-school years. There are regular community-building events — from “Week of Welcome” activities at the start of the year, to club fairs and dances — that help students find belonging and leadership opportunities. The bell schedule, attendance policies, and many day-to-day operations are published on the school website, demonstrating the school’s effort to be transparent and family-friendly. Holmes Middle School+1

Extracurriculars: clubs, sports, and creative outlets

Beyond academics, Holmes offers a lively roster of extracurriculars: seasonal sports, student clubs, music and performing arts, and various interest groups that reflect student passions. The school’s calendar highlights a Club Fair, dances, and athletic seasons, and local organizations — such as community farm-to-school programs — sometimes partner with Holmes for gardens, sustainability projects, and hands-on learning experiences. These opportunities allow Holmes students to develop teamwork, creativity, and civic engagement. Holmes Middle School+1

Teaching and support staff

A teacher-to-student ratio around the low 20s is typical for Holmes, where the staff includes classroom teachers, counselors, library staff, paraprofessionals, and administrative personnel. The school’s faculty mix reflects both experienced teachers and newer educators committed to modern pedagogies: project-based learning, data-informed instruction, and inclusive classroom practices. Public datasets list the number of full-time teachers and provide a snapshot of staffing and student services for the current school year. National Center for Education Statistics+1

Community ties and parent involvement

Holmes Junior High Davis CA benefits from the engaged Davis community. Parents and guardians are active through volunteer programs, parent information sessions, and campus events. The school frequently posts family-facing resources (attendance reporting, bell schedules, event calendars) on its site, and the district supports communication channels to keep families informed. Local partnerships — from university outreach to nonprofit collaborations — strengthen classroom experiences and extracurricular offerings. Holmes Middle School+1

Facilities and campus features

The campus opened in the 1960s and has been updated over time to support modern learning: library services, gymnasium space, outdoor areas, and designated spaces for electives. Local descriptions and mapping resources confirm the campus location in central Davis, which makes Holmes accessible to many residential neighborhoods and contributes to a sense of local identity. School gardens and sustainability projects have been spotlighted in recent community writing, reflecting Davis’s broader environmental ethos. LocalWiki+1

Performance and assessment

Publicly available school profiles and independent evaluations show Holmes performing at or above the district average on many measures. Third-party rating services and state data provide test-score snapshots and demographic breakdowns — useful for families deciding on middle-school options or for readers trying to understand how the school compares regionally. These metrics show that the school maintains reasonably strong proficiency levels in reading and math and generally positive outcomes, while also pointing to areas where targeted supports can help subgroups of students. Niche+1

Challenges and opportunities

Like all public schools, Holmes faces challenges: meeting diverse student needs, closing achievement gaps, and providing enough elective options amid budget constraints. Yet the school’s strengths — an engaged community, a stable teaching staff, and partnerships that bring enrichment into classrooms — create tangible opportunities. Continued community involvement, targeted interventions for students who need extra help, and nurturing the school’s magnet and elective programs can help Holmes Junior High Davis CA keep improving outcomes while maintaining a healthy campus culture.

Why families choose Holmes

Families in Davis often choose Holmes for its balanced academic program, accessible campus, and broad extracurricular opportunities. The school’s size makes it large enough to offer variety but small enough for students to feel known by teachers and counselors. For families who value both academic rigor and holistic development — including social-emotional learning and community engagement — Holmes tends to be a natural fit. GreatSchools.org+1

Looking ahead: evolving with the community

As Davis grows and educational priorities shift, Holmes Junior High Davis CA is likely to continue evolving. Trends to watch include integrating more technology-driven learning, expanding interdisciplinary experiences (like garden- and place-based learning), and strengthening transitional programming for students moving to high school. With active parent involvement and district support, Holmes is poised to remain a central educational hub in Davis for years to come. Davis Farm to School+1

Practical information (quick reference)

• Name: Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High (often “Holmes Junior High”). Holmes Middle School

• Address: 1220 Drexel Drive, Davis, CA 95616. California Department of Education

• Phone: (530) 757-5445 (confirm via official site). National Center for Education Statistics

• Grades: Typically serves grades 7–9 (check the school for current configuration each year). National Center for Education Statistics

• Website: The school maintains an up-to-date site and calendar — useful for bell schedules, attendance reporting, and event dates. Holmes Middle School+1

Final thoughts

Holmes Junior High Davis CA is a school shaped by its community. Its central Davis location, a history stretching back to the 1960s, a balanced academic program, and a lively campus culture all make Holmes a meaningful choice for families in the area. Whether you’re a local resident, a prospective family, or someone researching middle schools in Yolo County, Holmes offers a compelling blend of tradition and forward-looking programs — a place where students prepare academically while discovering personal interests and community responsibility.

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