College and Career Advising

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2026!

This is a small selection of the schools to which the class of 2026 was accepted— we couldn’t be more proud!

Jean Reynders

College and Career Advisor

Our College and Academic Advising is tailored to each individual student.

From the moment a student begins at Orinda Academy to graduation day, Jean Reynders works to ensure that post-high school plans are best suited to each individual. She provides personalized, student-centered guidance throughout all four years of high school.

With more than two decades of experience and over 400 colleges visited, Jean has vast insight to educational opportunities, and stays connected with students and their families to discover optimal possibilities for life after graduation with a wide range of post-secondary pathways: 4-year colleges, 2-year colleges, trade schools, and gap years. The focus is on helping students find the right fit, not just the most selective option. We are proud to say that Jean helped our 2026 graduates secure $1.37 million in merit aid to attend college!

Listed below are some of the key strategies and services that prepare students for the college application experience:

    • One-on-one meetings with a dedicated college advisor during the summer for personal statements, supplements,  and UC PIQs

    • Customized college lists based on academic profile, interests, and goals

    • Guidance tailored to each student’s strengths, values, and aspirations

    • Strategic course selection aligned with college goals

    • Advice on honors, AP, dual enrollment, and extracurricular balance

    • Ongoing progress monitoring to ensure readiness for college applications

    • Dedicated credit earning class for researching colleges and majors

    • College fairs and visits from admissions representatives

    • Campus visit planning support and virtual tour resources

    • Step-by-step support through the entire application process

    • Help with application platforms (Common App, UC, etc.)

    • Timeline management to keep students on track

    • Brainstorming sessions to develop authentic student stories

    • Draft review and feedback from an experienced advisor

    • Emphasis on student voice and originality

    • Guidance on SAT/ACT planning (if applicable)

    • Test-optional strategy discussions

    • Resources for test prep and score interpretation

    • Education on financial aid processes (FAFSA, CSS Profile)

    • Scholarship search tools and application support

    • Workshops for families on affordability and financial planning

    • Parent/guardian information nights and workshops

    • Regular communication and updates throughout the process

    • Tools to help families support students effectively

    • Encouraging balance and managing stress during the application process

    • Building confidence and decision-making skills

    • Helping students navigate acceptances, waitlists, and rejections

    • Graduates attend a diverse range of colleges and universities

    • Focus on long-term success, persistence, and student satisfaction

Orinda Academy graduates attend colleges and universities all over the country.

College acceptances from the last five graduating classes include:

American University

Arizona State University

Beijing Conservatory of Music

Belmont University

Beloit College

Berkeley City College

Berklee College of Music

Biola University

Boise State University

Brandeis University

California College of the Arts

California Polytechnic

  •      Humboldt

  •      Pomona

  •      San Luis Obispo

California State University

  •     Bakersfield

  •     Channel Islands

  •     Chico

  •     East Bay

  •     Fullerton

  •     Humboldt

  •     Long Beach

  •     Los Angeles

  •     Maritime Academy

  • Monterey Bay

  • Northridge

  •     Sacramento

  •     San Diego

  • San Francisco

  •     San Jose

  •     San Marcos

  •     Sonoma

Carroll College

Carroll University

Case Western Reserve

Chapman University

City College of San Francisco

College of Idaho

College of San Mateo

Colorado College

Colorado State University

Columbia College - Chicago

Cornell College

Dean College

DeAnza College

Delaware Valley University

DePaul University

DePauw University

Diablo Valley College

Dominican University

Drew University

Drexel University

Eckerd College

Emerson College

Evergreen College

George Washington University

Georgia State University

Georgian Court University

Gonzaga University

Goucher College

Hampshire College

Hawaii Pacific University

High Point University

Hofstra University

Howard University

Irvine Valley College

Ithaca College

Jackson State University

Landmark College

Lewis and Clark College

Liberty University

Linfield College

Loyola University - Chicago

Loyola Marymount University

Macalester College

Mansfield Hall

Marymount California University

Miami University - Ohio

Michigan State University

Mills College

Montana State University

Musicians Institute - Los Angeles

Muskingum University

New York University

Northern Arizona University

Oberlin Conservatory of Music

Occidental College

Ohio Wesleyan University

Oregon State University

Otterbein University

Pace University

Pacific University - Oregon

Penn State University

Portland State University

Quinnipiac University

Reed College

Rochester Institute of Technology

St. Joseph’s University

St. Mary’s University

San Diego State University

San Francisco State University

San Jose State University

Santa Clara University

Sarah Lawrence College

Savannah College of Art & Design

Scripps

Seattle University

Seton Hall University

Simmons College

Southern Oregon University

State University of New York

  •     Buffalo

  •     Stony Brook

SUNY Purchase College

Syracuse University

Texas Tech University

University of Alabama

University of Arizona

University of California

  • Berkeley

  • Davis

  •   Irvine

  •     Merced

  •     Riverside

  •     San Diego

  • Santa Barbara

  • Santa Cruz

University of Colorado - Boulder

University of Delaware

University of Denver

University of Hawaii Manoa

University of Illinois

University of Mississippi

University of Montana

University of Nevada - Reno

University of New England

University of New Hampshire

University of Oregon

University of the Pacific

University of Portland

University of Puget Sound

University of Redlands

University of San Francisco

University of Toronto

University of Utah

University of Washington - Seattle

Ursinus College

Washington State University

Washington University - STL

Wheaton College

Whitman College

Whitworth University

Willamette University

Colorful college pennants hanging on a wall, representing various universities such as Yale, Arizona State, Brown, University of San Francisco, Harvard, and others.

Where will your journey continue?

We’ll dream big with you, find your target, and create back-up plans.

There are many paths forward after graduating from OA. Our dedicated, on-site college and career advisor will help you find the option that is right for you, and guide you personally through the process of applying to college. We’ll help you identify your priorities and define your list of options.

What does it take to graduate?

At Orinda Academy, we strive for excellence in all areas of education and help students meet their goals for development.

Keeping ahead of the curve…

Testing dates, personal statements, scholarship opportunities, and application deadlines—we’ll help you stay on top of it all.