Can a school have rivals? Absolutely. North Hollywood High School, or NHHS as it’s often called, has two. They are Polytechnic High School and Ulysses S. Grant High School. This rivalry plays out in the East Valley League of the CIF Los Angeles City Section, where the NHHS Huskies compete. The school’s colors of blue, white, and gray are proudly worn by athletes in a variety of sports. These include football, baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. There’s even archery and ultimate frisbee for those seeking something different. North Hollywood High School’s athletic history boasts some impressive victories. The baseball team clinched the city championship title in both 1957 and 2012. The boys’ basketball team took the crown in 1990, and the girls followed suit in 2016.
North Hollywood High School isn’t just about sports. It’s a place where academic excellence and unique programs thrive. Established in 1927 as Lankershim High School, it was renamed North Hollywood High School in 1929. The school has a rich history, reflected in its architecture and the names of its buildings. Kennedy Hall, Frasher Hall, and Randolph Hall stand as testaments to different eras. The Highly Gifted Magnet (HGM) program, established in 1989, is one of NHHS’s crown jewels. It offers an intensely challenging academic environment for students who score in the 99.5th percentile or higher on intelligence tests. For animal lovers, the Zoo Magnet, started in 1981, is a dream come true. Students are transported to a campus near the Los Angeles Zoo, where they combine standard classes with fieldwork and specialized courses in zoological and biological sciences.
North Hollywood High School is also a place of artistic expression. The performing arts program is diverse, offering marching band, color guard, jazz band, string orchestra, vocal ensemble, and guitar classes. The Royal Regiment, the school’s 70-member marching band, transforms into a concert band in the spring, showcasing their musical talents at festivals and concerts. The school’s commitment to the arts has been recognized. In 2015, the Los Angeles Times gave NHHS an “A” grade in arts education, ranking it among the top schools in LAUSD. The school’s dedication to STEM education is equally impressive. In 2020, Newsweek ranked NHHS highly for its STEM programs. The STEM Magnet, launched in 2018, prepares students for college and career paths in science, technology, engineering, and math. The school’s Science Bowl team has consistently dominated the regional competition, winning first place almost every year since 1998. They even clinched the national title in 2001 and 2021. North Hollywood High School is more than a school. It’s a microcosm of the surrounding community. With a diverse student body, rich history, and commitment to excellence in both academics and the arts, it stands as a pillar of North Hollywood.