Once stood Wilshire Private School a place dedicated to Korean American education. The school’s story is one of ambition cultural focus and eventual decline. Let’s step back in time to explore this unique institution.
Wilshire Private School initially known as the Hankook School was established in 1985. It was sponsored by the Korean Institute of Southern California. The school aimed to serve the growing Korean American community in Los Angeles. Principal John Regan noted in 1994 that it was the only school specifically targeting Korean students in the United States.
Interestingly the school had two campuses. The Wilshire Boulevard campus served students in grades K-5. Meanwhile the Melrose Avenue campus accommodated grades 6-12. The Melrose campus could hold up to 240 students.
The curriculum was designed to integrate Korean culture. Classes were taught in English. However the school also offered Korean music and cultural programs. In 1994 the Los Angeles Times praised the school for its high academic standards.
First Lady of South Korea Son Myeong-sun even visited the school once. Back in 1994 there were plans for future expansion to accommodate even more students. Tuition was collected monthly totaling $3750 annually in 1994.
In 1994 the school had 171 students in grades K-5 and 24 in grades 6-12. This amounted to a total of 195 students. The student-teacher ratio was about 20 to 1. Koreans comprised about 95% of the student body. Many students were born in Korea and immigrated to the United States. These students were often referred to as the “1.5 generation.”
The school employed 20 full-time teachers. Some classrooms had aides who spoke Korean to assist students with limited English skills. However few full-time teachers were bilingual.
Sadly Wilshire Private School faced financial challenges over the years. The Melrose Campus began to decline in 1998. High school services ceased and the middle school playground was repossessed. The Melrose Campus closed completely in 1999. The Wilshire Campus which served elementary students continued for nearly two more decades.
By 2008 enrollment had shrunk by about 75%. There were only 56 students compared to over 200 in 1992. In its final year 2018 the school had only 18 students. No new enrollments occurred.
In August 2018 Wilshire Private School closed its doors after 33 years of service. The head of KISC commented that the school’s closure was predicted 20 years prior. It wasn’t a surprise.
Today Wilshire Private School remains a memory. Its legacy lies in its commitment to providing a culturally rich education for Korean American students. It served the Los Angeles community for over three decades. Though it is gone its impact remains.