“Breaking Ground for the Future” That’s Gardena Senior High School’s motto. It’s a fitting one. Right here before you stands a school with a rich history. Gardena High opened its doors in 1907. It wasn’t always in this location. In 1956 the high school students moved into a brand new building. The architects Henry L Gogerty and D Stewart Kerr designed it. The junior high students stayed in the old building. It’s now Peary Middle School.
Gardena Senior High is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a community. It’s served generations of students from Gardena Carson and parts of Los Angeles. Think of the stories these halls hold. The laughter the friendships the triumphs and the challenges. This isn’t just a school. It’s a place where dreams take flight.
The school boasts impressive programs. There are two magnets and two academies. The Global Business Magnet the Law and Public Service Magnet the Creative Arts Academy and the STEM Academy. Students have many options to explore their interests and talents. Gardena Senior High has also contributed to society. Many notable alumni have walked these halls.
Famous alumni include D L Hughley the comedian and actor. There’s also Niecy Nash a well known comedian and actress. Even Enos Cabell a Major League Baseball player from 1972 to 1986 attended Gardena High. Then there’s Wayne Collett a silver medalist in the 1972 Olympics. And Dock Ellis a prominent MLB pitcher. These are just a few examples. Gardena High School has shaped lives. It’s launched careers and fostered success.
The school’s impact extends beyond its graduates. Notice the Sage Park Apartments on the northern end of the campus? They’re LAUSD staff housing. They provide affordable housing for families. This demonstrates the school’s commitment to its community. It’s a place of learning a place of growth and a place of opportunity.
So as you stand here before Gardena Senior High School remember its legacy. Remember the students who passed through its doors. They built this place. Their achievements and their stories contribute to its rich history. Remember the motto “Breaking Ground for the Future”. Gardena Senior High continues to break ground. It continues to shape lives and to inspire future generations. It continues to leave its mark on the world.