Bishop Mora Salesian High School opened in 1958 as an archdiocesan school operated by the Salesians of Don Bosco. The school offered four distinct academic programs: college preparatory, business, general education, and shop. Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Salesian was known for its strong shop programs in printing, drafting, woodworking, and electronics. During these years, the student body reflected the ethnic diversity of the neighborhood and was composed of Latinos, African-Americans, Japanese-Americans, Italian-Americans and Irish-Americans. As surrounding communities became increasingly Latino, so did the ethnic make-up of the school. Today, the student body is 96% Latino and 98% Catholic.
The early 1970s saw a transformation of the school's curricular program. Salesian High School discontinued the shop and business programs and redirected resources into the college preparatory offerings. Enrollment reached an all-time high during the late 60s and early 70s; the student body reached nearly one thousand students during these years. The faculty was staffed with predominantly Salesian brothers and priests.
Catholic high schools throughout Los Angeles were decreasing both in enrollment and in religious personnel in the 1980s. Salesian High School was not immune, the enrollment during the mid 80's hovered around 300 students, and rumors of the school's closure began to spread. In 1988, the Salesians of Don Bosco responded to their declining number of religious in the Western Province by withdrawing from the administration of the school. During the following three years, the first two lay principals directed the school.
In 1992, the Provincial Chapter of the Salesians of Don Bosco reaffirmed its support of Salesian High School and reestablished an official relationship with the school and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The model affirms that Bishop Mora Salesian High School is a Salesian work that participates in the educational workshops, pastoral retreats, and scholarship programs of the Salesians of Don Bosco. By agreement with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the principal will be a lay person familiar with the Salesian Preventive System of Education. There will be a professed Salesian presence at the school and the spirit of St. John Bosco will continue at Salesian High School.
In that same year the school's first Advisory Board was formed in order to assist with strategic planning and the establishment of a development program. With a focus on raising funds for tuition assistance, Salesian experienced increases in enrollment. In 1998, the John and Dorothy Shea Foundation announced a $7 million grant to partially finance the construction of new academic, athletic, and multi-purpose facilities on the campus. Construction of these new facilities was completed in 2002 with Cardinal Roger Mahoney presiding at the dedication. The statue of St. John Bosco was placed once again in its place of honor, facing the entrance of the school building. Bishop Gabino Zavala led the prayers for the re-dedication of the statue, urging all to be active ministers of the Word of God.[2]
In fall of 2002, Salesian High School opened a new gym building with accompanying sports facilities, and a community sports field used both by the high school athletic teams as well as the local community.
Current activity
The school operates on a college preparatory track. This system allows the school to serve all kinds of students while staying true to the vision of St. John Bosco. The school also hosts community events and provides local organizations with access to its campus facilities. Events include elementary school graduations, CYO tournaments, California Interscholastic Federation tournaments and many other functions that serve the Boyle Heights community.[citation needed]
In the News
In 2014 the film Despues de Clases (After class) was filmed at Salesian High school. Many of the scenes were shot inside the building and in the upper main level of the campus.[citation needed]
