In the early years of California's statehood, several pioneering educational institutions emerged that continue to shape the state's academic landscape today. Among these historic schools, Northern California claims the distinction of housing the state's oldest public high schools.
Lowell High School in San Francisco holds the crown as California's oldest public high school, established in 1856. The institution also bears the distinction of being the oldest public high school west of the Mississippi River. Today, Lowell maintains its academic excellence as one of California's top-performing public high schools, leading the Western region in Advanced Placement test participation.
That same year, Sacramento Charter High School opened its doors, making it the second-oldest public high school in California. Originally named Sacramento High School, the institution underwent several location changes in its early years. Between 1858 and 1865, students shared space with Franklin Grammar School, before moving to temporary facilities. The school finally found its permanent home at Ninth and M Streets in 1876. In 2003, it transitioned to charter status.
San Jose High School, founded in 1863, rounds out the top three oldest schools in Northern California. The institution predates other notable historic schools like Oakland High School (1869) and Los Angeles High School (1873).
In Southern California, Loyola High School, established in 1865, stands as the region's oldest continuously operating educational institution. The all-boys college preparatory school became a Jesuit institution in 1911 and now serves 1,300 students from across Los Angeles, spanning more than 190 zip codes. The school maintains an impressive college acceptance rate, with over 99% of graduates advancing to higher education.
While California's oldest schools trace their roots to the 1850s, they're relatively young compared to the nation's first high school. Boston Latin School, founded in 1635 in Massachusetts, predates both California's statehood and the formation of the United States itself, standing as a testament to America's long-standing commitment to public education.