Ready to explore a high school with a rich history and impressive alumni? Alexander Hamilton High School opened its doors in the fall of 1931. Its first principal was Thomas Hughes Elson.
Alexander Hamilton High School’s original design included a three-story administration building. It housed the administration library and science departments plus 24 classrooms. There was also a manual training building a physical training facility and a cafeteria. The cafeteria also served as a domestic science area. The school could initially accommodate 1000 students. Plans allowed for expansion to 2500.
John C Austin and Frederick C Ashley designed the school in the Northern Italian Renaissance style. Multicolored brickwork elaborate cast stone decoration and a bell tower distinguish it. The bell tower is clad in verdigris copper.
Later Austin and Ashley designed Waidelich Hall. This six-room auditorium cost $100000. It opened on April 20 1937. Waidelich Hall was named after Arthur George Waidelich. He was the second principal. In 1989 the auditorium was renamed the Norman J Pattiz Concert Hall. A brass plaque commemorating the 1937 dedication disappeared during renovation.
Today Alexander Hamilton High School includes several buildings. There is Brown Hall which houses offices the library and classrooms. It is named for Walker Brown principal from 1940 to 1956. Other buildings include the lab building the tech building and the humanities building. You can also find the music building here. The Norman J Pattiz Concert Hall is the large theater hall. There is a cafeteria two gyms and a workshop building.
West of the campus is the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Distribution Station 20. Cheviot Hills High School a continuation school is also nearby. The athletic fields include Al Michaels Field and the Hami Garden. Al Michaels Field is a football and track stadium. It is named for sportscaster Al Michaels a Hamilton alum. The Hami Garden is a community garden. It was funded by the South Robertson Neighborhood Council and the Hami High Environmental Club in 2009.
Alexander Hamilton High School was part of the Los Angeles City High School District. This lasted until 1961 when it joined LAUSD. In 1932 the school’s boundaries reached Mulholland Highway. Some neighborhoods were rezoned to Venice High School in 2007.
Alexander Hamilton High School boasts a diverse student body. It also has a wide array of extracurricular activities. The Academy of Music and Performing Arts is a standout program.
Composer Marion Vree taught music here in the 1950s. She also directed the chorus.
Many notable people attended Alexander Hamilton High School. These include actors musicians athletes politicians and writers. Alums include actors Shia LaBeouf Paula Patton and Michele Lee. Musicians such as Fiona Apple and Joel Grey also walked these halls. Sports figures like Laila Ali and Warren Moon attended too. Politicians Karen Bass and Howard Berman are also alumni.
Alexander Hamilton High School has also been a popular filming location. Numerous TV shows and movies have filmed here. These include Beverly Hills 90210 Freedom Writers and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Alexander Hamilton High School stands as a testament to education and community. Its history notable alumni and contributions to the arts make it a landmark. It enriches the Westside of Los Angeles.