Remember a time before 2005 because that’s when the story of Port of Los Angeles High School began. It’s a public charter school. It offers tuition-free education in San Pedro California.
Port of Los Angeles High School combines college preparation with International Business and Maritime Studies. These studies highlight California’s ports. They show their impact on the global economy and international trade.
Camilla Townsend and other community leaders envisioned the school in 2000. In 2001, they started the charter approval and grant funding process. They secured a downtown San Pedro location at 250 W 5th Street. The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce supported the school’s establishment. Elected officials also lent their support.
POLAHS incorporated as a not-for-profit in May 2003. Its purpose was to offer students a tuition-free college preparatory education.
In September 2005, POLAHS opened at the Cabrillo Beach Boy Scout camp site. It started with its first freshmen class of 112 students. The first four teachers taught students on the beach for one semester. This was while renovations to the school building finished.
In January 2006, teachers students and administrators moved into the school building. This was under a lease agreement with the Port of Los Angeles. Classrooms opened on the first floor. The second floor remained unoccupied.
The first Graduation Commencement Ceremony occurred in June 2009. It took place at the historic Warner Grand Theater. The date also marked the school’s first annual Scholarship Fund. Individuals and organizations support alumni to attend college through this fund.
In 2010, the Athletic Program received official membership into the California Interscholastic Federation. It has 15 athletic teams. Eight have received CIF Championship Titles.
POLAHS purchased its school building from the Port of Los Angeles in November 2011. It completed the construction of 35 classrooms and laboratories. This included those on the second floor. An official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony celebrated this milestone.
POLAHS received the California Distinguished School Award in 2011. It was one of only ten high schools in Los Angeles County to receive it. The recognition highlights schools that narrow the achievement gap. They act as a model for other institutions.
In 2012, POLAHS received a full term six-year accreditation. It came from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The WASC committee said POLAHS achieved an effective quality program. This was despite today’s challenges.
POLAHS scored an 840 on the 2012 Academic Performance Index. The achievement represented a 49 point increase in one year. Every significant subgroup surpassed the state-wide school target of 800.
Port of Los Angeles High School established a Career Technical Education Program in 2015. In May 2015 it was awarded the California State Gold Ribbon Award.
POLAHS honored its 10th Anniversary on May 6 2015. It held a community-wide State of the School Address.
In June 2017, Port of Los Angeles High School celebrated its 9th Commencement Ceremony. It had a near 100% graduation rate. The POLAHS campus was dedicated to founders Camilla Townsend and Sandy Bradley in July 2017.
In 2018, POLAHS renewed its Charter for the 2018-2023 term. It was awarded re-accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges for the 2018-2024 term.
POLAHS opened Pixels Gallery and Creative Space in September 2021. It’s located at 439 W 6th Street in San Pedro. Pixels serves as an off-site gallery and workshop. It’s for students in the Digital Photography pathway. It is open to the public at the San Pedro Art Walk.
POLAHS received the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Bold Vision Award in spring 2022. This was for its opening of Pixels.
POLAHS was awarded re-accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges for the 2024-2030 term.
In 2024, POLAHS received the California Distinguished School Award for the second time. The 2024-2025 school year represents POLAHS’ 20th Anniversary since opening.
Today Port of Los Angeles High School continues to thrive. It offers students a unique blend of academic rigor and career preparation. The school’s motto is International Business and Maritime Studies. Its colors are forest green and black. The mascot is the Polar Bear. The newspaper is Bear Tracks. The school has captured nine overall sports championships. The last was the 2022 Boys’ Basketball team winning the Division 4 championship.