As of 2023, the campus is undergoing construction, and many buildings are in transition. The campus has three main buildings: Kennedy Hall, Frasher Hall, and Randolph Hall, but only Randolph Hall is currently open while the others are retrofitted for safety. A fourth main building called the "C" building and a two-story gymnasium have been opened. The school also has an agricultural area with livestock, a garden, a cafeteria, multiple computer labs, a woodshop, two music rooms, a football field, a staff parking lot, and a student store. More facilities are expected to open as construction progresses.
History
The student quad.
Built in 1927, Lankershim High School was named for the town of Lankershim (first called Toluca, now North Hollywood) and its founding family. It opened with only a main building, auditorium, gymnasium and a shop and mechanics building, with 800 students, graduating its first class in 1928. The Board of Education was asked to employ teachers who were already residents of North Hollywood, creating jobs and education opportunities in the area. Lankershim High School was renamed North Hollywood High School in 1929. In 1937, a girls' gymnasium and a second major classroom building, now named Frasher Hall after former principal Roscoe Frasher, were built. In 1950, the third major classroom building, now named Randolph Hall, was built. In the 1950s, many smaller construction projects took place, including the agricultural classrooms, the boys' gymnasium, the home-side bleachers and the instrumental music room. In 1965, the main hall was named the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hall after the president. In 1966, the cafeteria, student store and two shop buildings were built. In 1973, the Amelia Earhart Continuation High School was built on the campus' northeast corner. In the late 1990s, thirteen modular buildings were installed to support an increase in the number of students.[2]
In 1996, the LAUSD board voted to move NHHS to a year-round schedule, but after more classroom space was found, the board reversed course. Several NHHS parents and community members did not want a year-round schedule since they feared it would negatively impact the Highly Gifted Magnet.[4] According to the 1996 scheduling magnet, students were supposed to get July–May, which would have affected their ability to attend summer programs operated by Ivy League universities. The Zoo magnet students were to get the September–June schedule.[5]
In 2000, Ramón C. Cortines, the LAUSD superintendent, stated that the overcrowding at NHHS was more severe than originally anticipated,[6] and he announced that NHHS was going year-round. This was despite parents and students protesting against the move for several months.[7] From 2000 to 2007, NHHS was a year-round school with three tracks.[8]
In 2006, East Valley High School opened, relieving overcrowding at NHHS.[9] In 2007, the traditional calendar was re-adopted and the students were divided into many Small Learning Communities (SLCs). All but three of these were closed in June 2012.[10]
In 2015, it was announced that NHHS was selected to undergo major renovations, including upgrading buildings and removing portable buildings, to be completed in five years.[11]
In 2018, there was a proposal to co-locate a charter school, Valley International Preparatory High School (VIPHS), on the NHHS campus, but there was student opposition; students created an online petition to oppose the co-location.[12]
Academics
NHHS contains three magnet programs; the Highly Gifted Magnet (HGM), the Zoo Magnet, and the STEM Magnet. There are also three Small Learning Communities (SLCs); the Humanitas School for Advanced Studies, the Home Engineering Academy, and the Freshmen Academy.
Highly Gifted Magnet
The Highly Gifted Magnet was established in 1989, and is a component of the voluntary integration program of the LAUSD, designed to provide an academically challenging college preparatory program. The program is designed to prepare its students to thrive in the most demanding of university environments. The students in the HGM are from all over Los Angeles, and have a variety of extracurricular interests, as well as diversity in their academic directions.
Children are eligible if they test in the 99.5th percentile or above on an intelligence test conducted by an LAUSD psychologist. Priority is given to children with 99.9%, officially “Highly Gifted” by LAUSD definition. If there are openings remaining in the program, “Gifted” students with 99.5%-99.8% may be admitted with priority based on magnet points.[13] The program had 265 students,[14] 4 administrators, and 7 faculty members in 2016.[15]
Zoo Magnet
The student cafeteria.
The Zoo Magnet was established in 1981, and is a specialized school that buses students to a small campus next to the Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park. At this site, approximately 300 students take standard classes such as history, math, and English, in addition to Advanced Placement classes related to biological and zoological sciences. Many of these classes include fieldwork in the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Los Angeles River ecosystem, Autry National Center and the natural world of Griffith Park for tours and observation. Classes are on a block schedule, meeting three days a week for two hours per class.
STEM Magnet
The STEM Magnet was established in 2018, and is an alternative course of study that prepares students for college and career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
Small Learning Communities
The Small Learning Communities (SLCs) are intended to increase student achievement by personalizing the educational experience of students in large schools. Of the eight SLCs originally created, three remain as of 2019; the Humanitas School for Advanced Studies (HSAS), the Home Engineering Academy (HEA), and the Freshmen Academy (FA). The HSAS is designed for identified gifted, high achieving, high-ability students who show an interest in taking Honors and Advanced Placement courses. The HEA specializes in the construction and building trades.
Rankings
In 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked NHHS as #1,349 in the country, #197 of CA High Schools, #92 in CA Metro Area High Schools, #13 in LAUSD, and gave it a College Readiness Index of 45.8/100.[16]
In 2022, academicinfluence.com ranked NHHS as #32 in the country.[17]
In 2022, Niche designated NHHS as #911 in the country, #26 in California, #17 in the Los Angeles area, and #15 in Los Angeles County. NHHS was awarded an overall grade of "A+", with an A in Academics, an A in Diversity, an A+ in Teachers, an A in College Prep, a B in Clubs and Activities, a B in Administration, a B− in Sports, a C in Food, and a C− in Resources and Facilities.[18]
In 2022, schooldigger.com ranked NHHS as #416 of all high schools in California.[19]
In 2020, Newsweek ranked NHHS as #2183 in the country for STEM programs, with a score of 63.6/100.[20]
In 2018, the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress evaluated 11th grade students in English and Mathematics. In the area of English, 11th grade students were classified as 15% standard not met, 17% standard nearly met, 32% standard met, and 36% standard exceeded. In the area of Math, 11th grade students were classified as 37% standard not met, 26% standard nearly met, 17% standard met, and 20% standard exceeded.[21]
In 2017, The Washington Post ranked NHHS as 624th in the country, 77th of all high schools in California, 58th of all public high schools in California, 21st of all high schools in Los Angeles County, 11th of all high schools in LAUSD, and 1st of all high schools in District 2.[22]
For the 2017-18 school year, the average ACT Test scores were a 25 in Reading, a 25 in English, a 24 in Math, and a 24 in Science, each out of 36 points.[23]
In 2016, LAUSD's new School Quality Improvement Index[24] scored NHHS's 2014-15 year as 80/100, broken down into 10.51/15 in Academic Performance English Language Arts (64% met or exceeded standards), 12.01/15 in Academic Performance Math (37% met or exceeded standards), 11.25/20 in Four Year Cohort Graduation Rate (85% graduated class of 2014), 3.7/5 in Five Year Cohort Graduation Rate (90% graduated class of 2013), 3.51/5 in Six Year Cohort Graduation Rate (89% graduated class of 2012), 12.68/13.33 in Chronic Absenteeism (6% chronically absent), 13.35/13.33 in Suspension Rates (0% suspended/expelled), and 13.33/13.33 in English Learner Re-Designation (21% re-designated).[25]
In 2015, the Los Angeles Times gave NHHS a grade of "A" in arts education, ranking it 6th of all secondary schools, and 9th of all schools within LAUSD. Out of over 700 schools, only 35 received an "A" grade.[26]
In 2013, NHHS's Academic Performance Index (API) score was 778, which is 22 points below the state goal, but an improvement of 8 points since 2012.[28]
For the 2013-14 school year, the average SAT Reasoning Test score was 1557 of a possible 2400 points.[29]
For the 2013-14 school year, the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) classified 84% of 10th graders in English and 83% of 10th graders in Mathematics, as "proficient or better".[30]
For the 2014-15 school year, in the Physical Fitness Exam for 9th graders, 89.8% of students in Abdominal Strength, 65.5% of students in Aerobic Capacity, 63.1% of students in Body Composition, 91.2% of students in Flexibility, 92.1% of students in Trunk Extension Strength, and 80.9% of students in Upper Body Strength, were considered to be in the "Healthy Fitness Zone."[31]
For the 2019-20 school year, 793 students took 1,762 AP examinations, with 13% receiving a score of 1, 19% receiving a score of 2, 26% receiving a score of 3, 23% receiving a score of 4 and 19% receiving a score of 5.[32]
Extracurricular
Competitive academics
One of the computer labs.The library.The woodshop.
NHHS offers a wide variety of performing arts courses.
Marching Band - During the fall semester, the marching band is typically a Division 2A, 70-member ensemble called the Royal Regiment. The band performs as a pep band at football games and competes in field tournaments.
Concert Band - During the spring semester, the marching band becomes a concert band that performs at festivals, the annual Spring Concert, and various school events.
Percussion Ensemble - During the fall semester, the percussion ensemble prepares and performs for the annual Winter Concert.
Indoor Drumline - During the spring semester, the indoor drumline performs in drumline tournaments, the annual Spring Percussion Concert, and various school events.
Advanced Jazz Band - Meeting before school during both semesters, the jazz band is an approximately 20-member ensemble that performs in festivals, the annual Winter Concert, the annual Spring Concert, and various events.
Beginning Guitar - During both semesters, beginning guitars is an introductory-level class for students with interest in guitar.
Color Guard - During the fall semester, the color guard teams up with the marching band to perform at football games and compete in field tournaments.
Dance Team - During the spring semester, the colorguard becomes a dance team that performs in competitions and the annual Spring Dance Show.
Demographics
For the 2021-22 school year, NHHS had a total enrollment of 2,555 students, with 8.5% English Learners, 0.2% homeless, 11.5% with disabilities, 0.4% foster youth, and 66.1% socioeconomically disadvantaged.[33]
At the Regional Science Bowl, NHHS has won 1st place every year since 1998, missing only 2005 and 2014.[37][38] At the National Science Bowl, NHHS won 1st place in 2001,[39] and 2021.
At the CSU Long Beach Math Day at the Beach, NHHS won 1st place in 2006.[40]
At the International Botball Competition, NHHS received the Outstanding Programming award and the Judges' Choice award in 2011. At the Greater Los Angeles Regional Botball Tournament, NHHS won 2nd place overall in 2017.[41]
At the Duke Moot Court National Tournament, NHHS has won 1st place in 2009 and 2010.[42]
At the CyberPatriot National Finals, NHHS won 1st place in 2014,[43] and 2nd and 5th place in 2015. At the California Cyber Innovation Challenge, NHHS won 1st place in 2016 and 2017.[44][45] In 2017, three teams were sent to the national finals and one team won 1st place.[46] In 2018, three teams were sent to the national finals and won 1st, 2nd, and 9th place. In 2019, NHHS won 2nd place in the Open Class Division.
The NHHS FFA chapter was ranked a "Superior Chapter" by the California FFA Association in 1951, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1980, 1989, and 1990. At the Los Angeles FFA Horticulture Contest, NHHS teams won 1st place in both Advanced Horticulture and Floral Horticulture in 2015.
At the Southern California DECA Conference, NHHS won 1st and 2nd place in marketing, and 1st place in business law and ethics in 2016.
The NHHS Baseball Team won the title of city champions in 1957 and 2012,.
The NHHS Boys' Basketball Team won the title of city champions in 1990.
The NHHS Girls' Basketball Team won the title of city champions in 2016,[47] and was a runner-up in 1987, 1988, and 1993.
The NHHS Cheerleading Team won 1st place at DREAM TEAM Championships in 2011.
The NHHS Varsity Football Team was undefeated and league champions in 2004 and 2007.
The NHHS Junior-Varsity Football Team finished 10-1 and were League Champions in the 2017 Season, with two non-consecutive 5 game winning streaks.
The NHHS Girls' Golf Team won the title of city champions in 2010, and won individual champions in 2008 and 2009.
The NHHS Boys' Tennis Team was undefeated and league champions in 2017.
The NHHS Girls' Tennis Team won the title of Division II city champions in 2015.
The NHHS Boys' Volleyball Team won the title of city champions in 2000.
The NHHS Girls' Soccer Team won the title of city champions of Div II in 2020.
At the LAUSD Band and Drill Team Championships, the NHHS Royal Regiment won 1st place in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2018, and 2022.
At the West Coast Performance Association's Indoor Drumline Championships, the NHHS Indoor Drumline won 1st place in the AA division in 2022.
In 2011, Mr. Randall Delling was named California Secondary Principal of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.[49] In 2014, Mr. Jay Gehringer was named LAUSD Teacher of the Year.[50] In 2015, Mr. Altair Maine was named LAUSD Teacher of the Year.[51] In 2016, Ms. Carrie Schwartz was named Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.[52] In 2018, alum Ms. Dorothy Williams-Kohlmeyer was named LAUSD Rookie of the Year.[53]
As of 2022, NHHS has a graduation rate of 95.3%.[54]
Filming Location
NHHS has been the filming location for movies, television shows, and other productions, including the following:
