North Hollywood High School

North Hollywood High School
Location
5231 Colfax Avenue

Los Angeles
,
California
91601

United States

34°09′57″N 118°23′20″W / 34.16583°N 118.38889°W / 34.16583; -118.38889
Information
School typePublic high school
Established1927; 99 years ago (1927)
Status🟩 Open
School district
Los Angeles Unified School District
SuperintendentAndres Chait
NCES School ID
062271003230
Principal
Ricardo Rosales
Teaching staff
119.13 (on an FTE basis)
Grades9-12
Age range14-18
Enrollment2,444 (2024–2025)
 • Grade 9665
 • Grade 10651
 • Grade 11593
 • Grade 12535
Student to teacher ratio
20.52
LanguageEnglish
Hours in school day
7 hours 10 minutes (Monday, Wednesday-Friday)
6 hours 11 minutes (Tuesday)
CampusUrban
Colors    Blue, white, gray
SongHuskies Are We
Athletics conference
East Valley League
CIF Los Angeles City Section
MascotHusky
NicknameHuskies, Big Blue
RivalsJohn H. Francis Polytechnic High School
Ulysses S. Grant High School
East Valley High School
NewspaperThe Arcade
Feeder schools
Walter Reed Middle School
Sun Valley Middle School
Roy Romer Middle School
Gaspar de Portola Middle School
WebsiteNHHS
NHHS HGM
NHHS Zoo Magnet
NHHS Music

North Hollywood High School (NHHS) is a public high school in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is in the San Fernando Valley and enrolls approximately 2,500 students. Several neighborhoods, including most of North Hollywood, Valley Village, Studio City and Sun Valley, send students to it. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Its principal is Ricardo Rosales.

Facilities

As of 2026, North Hollywood High School is in the finishing stages of a "comprehensive modernization" project started in 2017, which included retrofitting Kennedy Hall and Frasher Hall for safety, demolishing Randolph Hall and many portable classrooms, and constructing a new "C" building, a two-story gymnasium with weightrooms and lockers, outdoor basketball courts, a baseball/softball field, a staff parking lot, an improved computer lab/library, a woodshop, an autoshop, a student store, and tennis courts. The agricultural area, farm, garden, and football field were left untouched. In 2026, the new auditorium was opened and named the John Williams Performing Arts Center

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.

It was in the Los Angeles City High School District until 1961, when it merged into LAUSD.

1990s and beyond

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. 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.

In 2000, Ramón C. Cortines, the LAUSD superintendent, stated that the overcrowding at NHHS was more severe than originally anticipated, and he announced that NHHS was going year-round. This was despite parents and students protesting against the move for several months. From 2000 to 2007, NHHS was a year-round school with three tracks.

In 2006, East Valley High School opened, relieving overcrowding at NHHS. 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.

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.

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.

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. The program had 265 students, 4 administrators, and 7 faculty members in 2016.

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 2025; 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 2026, U.S. News & World Report ranked NHHS as #1,267 in the country, #169 of CA High Schools, #80 in CA Metro Area High Schools, #14 in LAUSD, with an overall score of 92.92/100.

In 2026, Niche ranked NHHS among public schools as #966 in America, #180 in California, #82 in the Los Angeles area, and #43 in Los Angeles County. NHHS was awarded an overall grade of "A", with an A in Academics, an A+ in Teachers, an A− in Diversity, 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.

In 2026, schooldigger.com ranked NHHS as #385 of all high schools in California.

In 2026, greatschools.org rated NHHS 8/10 overall, with a 9/10 test score rating, and 7/10 college readiness rating.

In 2026, academicinfluence.com ranked NHHS as #32 in the country.

In 2026, myschoolscout.com scored NHHS 8.8/10, and ranked it as #501 in CA, #1 in public schools in North Hollywood, #69 in LAUSD, and gave an equity score of 9.2/10. It was also given a 9/0/10 for Student Progress, 9.0/10 for Academics, 8.7/10 for College Readiness, and 8.2/10 for Resources & Environment.

In 2025, LAUSD awarded the NHHS Zoo Magnet with the Merit Award of Excellence.

In 2023, Magnet Schools of America designated the NHHS Zoo Magnet as the Top Magnet School of Excellence. In 2022 and 2024, it was designated as a Magnet School of Excellence. In 2019 and 2020, it was designated as a Magnet School of Distinction.

Advanced Placement Courses

NHHS offers 25 Advanced Placement courses in biology, calculus AB, calculus BC, chemistry, computer science A, computer science principles, English language and composition, English literature and composition, environmental science, European history, French language, human geography, macroeconomics, music theory, physics 2, physics C: electricity and magnetism, physics C: mechanics, psychology, Spanish language, Spanish literature, statistics, studio art, US government and politics, US history and world history.

For the 2023-24 school year, 56% of students took at least one AP test, with 41% of students passing at least one AP test.

Extracurricular

Competitive academics

One of the computer labs
The library
The woodshop

NHHS offers many successful teams in competitive academics: Academic Decathlon, CyberPatriot, DECA, Duke Moot Court, FIRST Robotics, Future Farmers of America, Mock Trial, Model United Nations, North American Computational Linguistics Open competition, National Ocean Sciences Bowl, Physics Olympiad, Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, and Speech and Debate.

Sport

The boys' gym

The NHHS Huskies compete in the CIF Los Angeles City Section's East Valley League. NHHS's rivals are Polytechnic High School, Ulysses S. Grant High School, and East Valley High School. The NHHS Athletics Department offers American football, archery, baseball, basketball (boys' and girls'), cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer (boys' and girls'), softball (girls'), Students Run LA, tennis, track and field, ultimate frisbee, volleyball (boys' and girls') and weight training.

Performing arts

The music room
The auditorium

NHHS offers a wide variety of performing arts courses.

  • Marching Band / Concert Band - During the fall semester, the marching band is typically a Division 2A, 70-member ensemble called the Royal Regiment, that performs as a pep band at football games, and competes in field tournaments. During the spring semester, the marching band becomes a concert band that performs at festivals, the annual Spring Concert, and various school events. Other band-related afterschool ensembles include Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, and Indoor Drumline.
  • 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. During the spring semester, the color guard performs at competitions and the annual Spring Concert.
  • Advanced Jazz Band - 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.
  • String Orchestra - During both semesters, the orchestra performs at the annual Winter Concert, the annual Spring Concert, and festivals.
  • Vocal Ensemble - During both semesters, the vocal ensemble performs at the annual Winter Concert, the annual Spring Concert, and festivals.
  • Guitar - During both semesters, there are two levels of guitar class offered.

Demographics

Ethnicity
Hispanic64.1%
White18.4%
Asian10.4%
African American2.7%
Two+ Races2.1%
Filipino1.1%
American Indian0.1%
Pacific Islander0.1%


Gender
Male54.2%
Female45.8%
Non-Binary-


Miscellaneous
English Learners7.8%
Foster Youth0.2%
Homeless0.7%
Migrant-
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged72.8%
Students with Disabilities11.9%

Achievements

Filming location

NHHS has been the filming location for movies, television shows, and other productions, including the following:

Notable alumni

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Search for Public Schools - North Hollywood Senior High (062271003230)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "A dozen San Fernando Valley LAUSD schools are due for multimillion-dollar facelifts: Here's where and why". Daily News. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  3. ↑ "John Williams honored with performing arts center at North Hollywood High School". abc7.com. 30 April 2026. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  4. ↑ Smith, Doug; Sauerwein, Kristina (16 April 2000). "L.A. Unified May Need High Schools to Go Year-Round". Los Angeles Times.[dead link]
  5. ↑ "Los Angeles City School District". Los Angeles Unified School District. Archived from the original on 7 February 1998. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  6. ↑ Sauerwein, Kristina (30 September 1999). "Enrollment May Threaten Program for Highly Gifted". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Folmar, Kate (2 March 1996). "North Hollywood : High School to Review Its Magnet Scheduling". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  8. ↑ Sauerwein, Kristina (6 April 2000). "Cortines Deals Blow to High School Schedule Fight". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  9. ↑ Sauerwein, Kristina (8 April 2000). "New N. Hollywood High Schedule Incites Anger". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  10. ↑ Sauerwein, Kristina (8 April 2000). "North Hollywood High to Begin Year-Round Calendar". Los Angeles Times.
  11. ↑ Blume, Howard (4 October 2006). "School Spirit Is Given a Boost in the Valley". Los Angeles Times.
  12. ↑ "North Hollywood High School: Campus Pre-Planning Survey" (PDF). Laschools.org. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  13. ↑ "North Hollywood High School to Be Fast-Tracked for Major Rennovations(sic)". Patch. 28 January 2015.
  14. ↑ "North Hollywood High may have to share its campus with a charter school, and these students aren't happy about it". Los Angeles Daily News. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  15. ↑ "Eligibility & Admissions". The Highly Gifted Magnet.
  16. ↑ "About the HGM". The Highly Gifted Magnet.
  17. ↑ "Contact Faculty & Admin". The Highly Gifted Magnet. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
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  26. ↑ "North Hollywood High School Wins Science Bowl". Nbclosangeles.com. 21 February 2016.
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  28. ↑ Ritsch, Massie (8 May 2001). "North Hollywood High Wins U.S. Science Bowl". Los Angeles Times.
  29. ↑ "Troy, University high schools top math competition". Ocregister.com. 10 April 2014.
  30. ↑ "Previous Tournaments and Cases - Duke Moot Court". Sites.duke.edu. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  31. ↑ Banks, Alicia (31 March 2014). "North Hollywood High wins national cyber-security competition". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 14 May 2014.
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  50. ↑ "ArchiveGrid : Ronne Troup, North Hollywood High School songleader [graphic] / photo by Alan Hyde". Archivegrid.
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