Welcome to Holt High School, where our mission-driven staff are proud to serve approximately 430 students in grades 9-12 each and every day!
| Block | Time |
|---|---|
| Block 1 | 7:50 - 9:20 |
| Block 2 | 9:24 - 10:54 |
| Advisory | 10:58 - 11:36 |
| Block 3 & Lunch | 11:40 - 1:26 |
| Block 4 | 1:30 - 3:00 |
Meet Holt High School's very own service dog, Eclair! She is a two-year old doodle who has spent the past two years with Service Dogs of Alabama and is a certified facility dog. She is very intelligent and alerts to stress, anxiety, and other emotional situations. Funding for her was made possible by a grant from the state department of education and a donation from a former school counselor.
What is Holt Studio 26?
Holt Studio 26 is a collection of special occasion dresses in new and like-new condition that students can borrow.
The mission of Holt Studio 26 is to offer students opportunities to shine by making formal wear more accessible and available to families. We believe that everyone deserves to feel beautiful and special.
What does the "26" stand for?
26 is the atomic number for iron. At Holt High School, we believe that as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. We are Ironmen strong!
Who can borrow?
Any grade 9-12 student living in Tuscaloosa County, regardless of what school or school district they attend, may borrow. There is no income or need-based requirement. Parents, other adults, or college students may not borrow.
When can I borrow?
Studio 26 will be open all year. Dresses can be borrowed for any occasion, not just school events.
You can schedule an appointment online. Because this project is run by volunteers, we don't keep "regular" hours. You can check back regularly for an updated appointment schedule.
Holt High School students don't need an appointment. They can check with Mrs. Gerkin or Mrs. Mitchell to look through dresses during their lunch or advisory periods.
Students from other schools must schedule an appointment. Up to three students can come together during the same appointment.
Can I just drop in and look around?
No. Because we are a school, appointments must be arranged in advance.
How long can I borrow?
You can borrow a dress up to 6 weeks in advance of your event. Should you decide not to wear the dress during this time, we ask that you please return it early so that we can make it available to other students.
Dresses should be returned to Holt High School within 5 days following the event. We will have the dress cleaned.
Students can borrow one dress at a time, and there is no limit to the number of times someone can borrow.
What sizes/styles/colors are available?
We have over 300 dresses in a variety of styles and colors. Our sizes range from XS (0) to women’s +. We do not have youth or child size dresses.
What does it cost?
We ask for a $20 donation to help us cover the cost of cleaning.
Is there a place to try on dresses?
Yes, there is a dressing room with mirrors.
Can I alter the dress?
Yes, you can do basic alterations such as hem line, modesty adjustments, etc. The dress can be returned with the alterations still in place.
What if I accidentally stain or damage the dress?
If it is an accident, the borrower will not be liable and still be allowed to borrow in the future. If accidents become a pattern, or the dress was damaged due to neglect, the student may be disqualified from borrowing. We ask that you try to be extra careful while wearing it.
Would you buy my formal dresses?
We do not purchase dresses; however, we always accept donations. We are happy to provide you with a donation receipt for tax purposes. Dresses can be dropped off at Holt High School in Tuscaloosa.
Retail businesses willing to donate dresses can email HoltStudio26@tcss.net to arrange for someone to pick them up. We cannot pick up at private residences.
Do you accept monetary donations?
Yes, you can make a donation online.
We accept donations of new and gently used dresses and formal wear accessories.
Dresses can be dropped off at Holt High School in Tuscaloosa Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 3 PM.
Retail businesses willing to donate can email email us to arrange for someone to pick them up. We cannot pick up at private residences.
In 1901 Frank Holt, a representative of Central Iron and Coal Company, a subsidiary of the Central Foundry Company in New York City, arrived from Pittsburg, Tennessee, to select a tract of farm land to build headquarters for the Central Iron and Coal Company which would produce iron and steel. He established Holt as a community and named it after himself. The company hired workers away from Birmingham, Alabama and Chattanooga, Tennessee to make up its labor force because no one in the area had any knowledge of working with a blast furnace. Central Iron and Coal then purchased additional land and built 350 homes for its workers. It also built a school, Holt School, for their children. The first graduation class was in 1910. According to Paul Singleton, who worked for the company for 50 years, the men that came to work at the foundry were called ironmen because they had experience in working with iron. The company later gave control of the Holt School to the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education. The mascot chosen for Holt High School was related to the nickname of the working men of Holt. The name Ironmen lasted, according to Mr. Singleton because, “Ironmen had a connotation like, you don‘t want to mess with them. They’re tough, they’re Ironmen.” In 2009, The Tuscaloosa News selected Holt’s Ironman mascot as one of the top five mascots in Alabama largely due to its testament to Holt’s proud tradition and history.
The original school burned in 1929 and in 1941 the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education rebuilt Holt High School at 3801 Alabama Avenue. As the community grew, two annexes were added to the school in the 1960s. The Paul Singleton Area Career Technical Center was added to the school in 1974. Students from other schools in the county received training in welding, auto mechanics, and masonry. During the summer of 2006, the school underwent a $2,000,000 renovation.
In November 2018, the Tuscaloosa County School System completed and opened a brand new Holt High School, located at 301 44th Court NE. Students attended the new school for the first time on Tuesday, November 13, 2018.