Mira Costa High School

From a hilltop overlooking the Manhattan Beach coastline, Mira Costa High School has witnessed generations of students come and go. Mira Costa, or “Costa” as it’s affectionately known, opened its doors in 1950. It began with just 9th and 10th grades on a forty-acre site that once belonged to a Japanese-American landscaper. This land holds a poignant history, having been purchased from the Uyematsu family, who were interned during World War II. The original campus was a simple layout of administrative offices and classroom buildings, affectionately dubbed “the chicken coop.” Can you imagine the vast, open fields surrounding the school back then? The school’s first principal, Lloyd Waller, had a vision for Mira Costa. He even recruited teachers and coaches from nearby Redondo Union High School, sparking a long-standing rivalry. The original school motto, “We are the Foundation; Upon Us the Nation Will Rest,” reflects the ambition of this new institution. Mira Costa High School stands as the sole high school in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District. It welcomes students from Manhattan Beach, as well as those from Hermosa Beach and even parts of Redondo Beach, who have a choice between Mira Costa and Redondo Union. Mira Costa High School is not just about academics. The school boasts award-winning extracurriculars, from the student-run newspaper, La Vista, to the Model United Nations team. The Mustangs, as the athletic teams are known, compete in a wide range of sports. And who could forget the Grammy-winning music department? The bands have graced the stage of Carnegie Hall, while the orchestras have performed at prestigious venues worldwide, from Beijing to Barcelona. Mira Costa High School has a rich legacy of achievement, recognized as a Blue Ribbon School and a California Distinguished School. Its alumni include Olympians, actors, musicians, and even a National Teacher of the Year. Mira Costa isn’t just a school. It’s a community, a launchpad for dreams, and a testament to the power of education.