Orinda Academy has been a transformative experience for our son Jack.

The school’s “small by design” approach, with an intimate environment that meets students where they are, has provided Jack with the support he needed to build himself back up after a rough stretch through middle school, and to challenge himself to stretch outside his comfort zone. We can’t express how grateful we are for all that Orinda Academy has done for Jack and our family, and encourage others to support Orinda Academy in their efforts to continue to provide the educational resources that so many kids need.

Jack is a focused, empathetic kid with a deep well of creativity. He enjoys drawing, watching films, creative writing, and building with Lego. Yet, despite his many gifts, Jack has grappled with ADHD and the associated struggles with reading social cues and forming lasting friendships. His elementary and middle schools provided little in the way of support or resources to help him with his struggles.

By the end of his eighth-grade year, the effort of navigating his school environment had taken a severe toll. Academically, he struggled to connect with subjects, and socially, he felt increasingly isolated. He genuinely felt beaten by school, and we watched his confidence, both academically and socially, plummet. We knew that a larger high school setting, with its accompanying shortage of resources and individualized support, would only compound the problem. Our search narrowed quickly to smaller private schools in the Bay Area, where we sought out an environment that could meet him where he was.

We spent the fall and winter of Jack’s eighth-grade year researching various private high schools in the area, combing through online materials and scheduling a string of on-site visits. The moment we attended the Orinda Academy open house, however, everything shifted. Jack lit up at the promise of small class sizes, a dedicated staff, and unique enrichment activities. He knew, instinctively, that this was the place where he could finally belong.

Since starting at Orinda Academy, Jack has undergone a significant transformation.

Orinda Academy’s attentive staff and intimate setting provided the structure he needed to rebuild his academic foundation in reading, writing, math, and science. He continued to develop a strong set of skills and strategies to work with his ADHD diagnosis, and to self-advocate for the assistance and accommodations he needs to complete his classwork and internalize the key concepts for each course. Furthermore, he found a genuine social home, making connections with a diverse and supportive circle of friends. 

Orinda Academy hasn’t just rebuilt his confidence; it has empowered Jack to stretch beyond his comfort zone.

Through the school’s Educational Adventures program, Jack has embraced experiences that challenged him physically and mentally, such as snowshoeing in the Grand Teton mountains of Utah, snorkeling with giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands, and exploring the culture, history and landscapes of the Patagonian region of Argentina and Chile.

He also entered his original artwork in the Lamorinda Arts Council High School Visual Arts Competition and submitted a short film to the Bay Area Creative Foundation, proudly displaying his creativity and exposing himself to public evaluation.

Jack has gone from a boy who felt defeated to a flourishing young adult prepared for college and life. Orinda Academy provided Jack with critical support at a turning point in his life. We urge you to consider this exceptional institution that continues to provide a vital, unique environment for students who need its specialized support to find their own voices.

~Karla and Chris Franklin, parents of the 2026 valedictorian.