West Adams Preparatory High School

West Adams Preparatory
High School
West Adams Preparatory at night
Location
Map
1500 West Washington Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Coordinates34°02′23″N 118°17′23″W / 34.039796°N 118.289851°W / 34.039796; -118.289851
Information
TypePublic
Established2007
School districtLos Angeles Unified School District
PrincipalErica Nava
Staff67.51 (FTE)[1]
Grades9-12
Age range14-18
Enrollment1,350 (2018-19)[1]
Student to teacher ratio20.00[1]
Color(s)Black   and Gray   and Sky Blue
MascotPanther
Website[1]

West Adams Preparatory High School is a secondary school in Central Los Angeles, California.

The school is a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District and is operated by a nonprofit organization working in conjunction with LAUSD. The organization, MLA Partner Schools (formerly called Mentor LA), also operates Manual Arts High School.

History

In 2004, homes were demolished and lots were cleared in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles for what was then referred to as "Central High School No. 2".[2] A century-old neighborhood of houses and businesses were demolished to make room for a new $130 million 15-acre high school.[2]

The school was originally opened to relieve the LAUSD's Belmont High School, Dorsey High School, Los Angeles High School, and Manual Arts High School.[3][4]

West Adams Preparatory High School opened in the fall semester of 2007. The final budget was $176 million.[5] The school features an all-weather football field, an all-weather track, a weight room, fitness center, swimming pool, two gymnasiums and lighted baseball and softball diamonds.[5]

School Structure

The school is divided into three smaller schools: Business, Arts (SOTA), and Invention, Design, Engineering & Architecture (IDEA).

Core programs include Advisory (a required course for every student, every year, learning about college and career opportunities) and "7 to 7" (an elongated school day offering enrichment opportunities for students and families before and after normal school hours).

Though West Adams is a LAUSD high school, it was designed in part by MLA Partner Schools, a nonprofit organization that now operates the school on a five-year performance contract with the LAUSD school board.

In Media

Several episodes of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution are centered on West Adams, with Oliver attempting to influence the food options available to the students.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ a b c "West Adams Preparatory High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Poole, Bob (May 27, 2004). "Old House Seeks a New Place It Can Call Home". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 7 June 2023. The classrooms haven't been built yet. But home work is already being parceled out at Central High School No. 2 in the West Adams district.
  3. ^ Proposed Changes to West Adams Preparatory High School Area Schools (Archive), LAUSD, March 2007
  4. ^ Central LA Area New HS #2, 55.98021, LAUSD, February 26, 2010.
  5. ^ a b Sondheimer, Eric (November 13, 2012). "Turmoil in West Adams Prep's sports program raises questions". Los Angeles Times. Built at a cost of $176 million, Los Angeles West Adams Prep opened in 2007 with some of the best athletic facilities in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
  6. ^ "Jamie Oliver lands a visit at an L.A. high school". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  7. ^ Schuker, Lauren A.E. (12 April 2011). "Inside Jamie Oliver's Food Fight With L.A". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 23 April 2011.