Los Angeles High School is undergoing a resurgence, and its students and staff would like to make sure that everyone — especially incoming ninth-grade students — know about it.

Many of L.A. High’s programs and clubs, such as its robotics club, were on display during the event. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

That mission led the oldest high school in Southern California to showcase a sample of its programs, afterschool activities and clubs last week. Students from three middle schools — John Burroughs, Cochran and Pio Pico — attended.

In the auditorium, the students learned about L.A. High’s academic programs. In the gyms, they participated in ice-breaking games and got a first-hand look of the school’s clubs and activities from the high school students who participate.

As the dance club formed a circle in the crowded gym and showed off their acrobatic break-dancing moves, students who participate in robotics demonstrated their machines nearby.

“So far, it’s been fantastic,” Principal Helena Yoon-Fontamillas said. “We are making sure that the kids experience Los Angeles High School Roman spirit. It’s been pretty phenomenal to have our feeder middle schoolers come here and experience Los Angeles High School.”

She said school officials are looking to put L.A. High “on the map,” and show the community what the school is really all about.

“We’re doing everything we can to rebuild Rome, so … we want to get people in here to experience it for themselves,” Yoon-Fontamillas said, adding that L.A. High is one of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s comprehensive high schools that offers a full slate of programs. “It’s a really exciting place, and we just need to let the community know about us.”

She said the high school is saturated with traditions, but it is also looking forward. Yoon-Fontamillas, who is in her second year as principal, said things are on the up and up at the school.

“It’s a great place to be and to work and to grow as professionals and learners,” she added.

The Alice G. Harrison Memorial Trust, which was created in 1958, supports the school through scholarships and donations. Its executive director, Joyce Kleifield, said the showcase was a first for the high school, and that it may be a first for public schools in Los Angeles.

“It’s a new world for education, and there’s a lot of choice out there for parents,” she said. “We all need to step up our game and bring in programs that are exciting and meaningful and really build our skills, but we need to advertise that we’re doing that.”

The LAUSD adopted the Public School Choice Resolution in August 2009 to provide new opportunities for families. Kleifield said L.A. High held the showcase to show that enrolling at the school is a good decision.

“We’re just trying to show people that [while] L.A. High has gone through some rough times, those rough times are over — as much as they are for everybody else, budget-wise,” she said. “There are incredible kids here and incredible programs here, and we don’t want people to think that just because it’s the oldest school in Southern California, that we think ‘old.’ We’re very innovative. We’re bringing in really creative programs.”

Kleifield referenced the school’s band, which has been crowned the city champions 24 years in a row. The band and color guard performed at the beginning and end of the event.

Wendy Bradley, an eighth-grade counselor at John Burroughs, was pleased with the event. To her knowledge, the middle school had never participated in such a showcase.

“It is huge because they are already scared about going to high school, so for them to come and become more familiar with the surroundings [is helpful],” Bradley said.

She said the students learned about music and art programs, received information about the school’s elective courses, met the principal, heard the band perform and already chose clubs they would like to join.

“They’re already saying, ‘I’m really excited about coming here,’ because sometimes [the things] you hear about a school doesn’t match the reality,” Bradley said.

She said the students will have a head start on their ninth-grade years, as they will be familiar with the school’s offerings prior to the beginning of the school year.

Bradley spoke highly of Yoon-Fontamillas, who previously worked at Burroughs. She said the principal sets high expectations.

“I’m telling the parents, ‘If this is your home school, this is the place to go,’” Bradley added.

Established in 1873, Los Angeles High School was originally constructed in downtown L.A. and was relocated twice before moving to its current location at 4650 W. Olympic Blvd. For information, call (323)900-2700 or visit www.lahigh.org.