Torrance High is more than just a place for academic achievement. To us Tartars, it’s a place that values diversity, culture, history, and community. These unique aspects foster pride and deserve appreciation. With this in mind, let’s explore what makes our school truly special!
Beautiful Campus
One of the most prominent features of our school is the beautiful campus, with the architectural design that significantly enhances its appeal. For example, the main building, built in 1917 with its Mediterranean Revival style and the Auditorium (built 20 years later in 1937) with its Streamline Moderne style are two of the most eye-catching features of our campus. Our school, along with these particular buildings, were highlighted in Architectural Digest’s article, “The Most Beautiful Public High School in Every State in America”, as the most beautiful public high school in California.
Other than its architectural design, our campus also stands out for its size. When asked for his impression of the campus, history teacher Mr. Cormier (who started teaching at Torrance High this year) says: “First of all, the campus is really big. I’ve never been to a campus this big. I’ve never taught at a school this big, and, you know that’s really cool but can be kind of challenging when you have to walk through the campus, but I think the school looks great.”
Movies & TV Shows
The architecture of our school is so striking that it has caught the eye of Hollywood producers, with Torrance High having served as a filming location for TV shows and movies such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Beverly Hills, 90102; and She’s All That. As a result, it’s not uncommon to see tourists and fans outside the main building taking pictures.
History
Another important aspect that sets the school apart is its rich history. According to Discover Torrance, Torrance High School is Torrance’s first building to be listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the official list of buildings in the country that are valued for their artistic or historical significance and deserve to be preserved.
So, what about our school’s history is so significant? To start, it is the oldest high school in Torrance and as previously mentioned, it features distinctive architectural styles such as Mediterranean Revival style and Streamline Moderne style which display some of the architectural trends in the 20th century. The school also had some involvement in both world wars. Atlas Obscura mentions that the school was originally built to accommodate the post World War I population boom. It is also mentioned that we also have notable alumni who took part in World War II such as Ted Tanouye and Louis Zamperini, after whom Zamperini stadium is named.
History teacher Ms. Spradlin actually wrote a whole book about the school’s history titled Torrance High School. This book is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about our history!
Diversity and culture
Diversity is celebrated here, with a total minority enrollment of 83.1%, according to USNews. Various culture clubs (including Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Latino, Black, Chinese-Vietnamese and Pacific Islander culture clubs) along with events such Hands Across Campus (an annual event that honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrates cultural diversity) help us connect with peers of similar and different cultures and backgrounds.
As current sophomore Aleyah Cordero puts it: “Diversity and culture at our school helped me get closer to everybody – learn about how their cultures are like, how everyone is different in their own ways, that we should be able to treat each other equally, and that it’s okay to be different.”
Squirrels
Lastly, you may have noticed the adorable squirrels that roam the campus. Their playful presence is so well-known that they even have their own Instagram account: @ths_squirrels. Check it out to see the campus’ most iconic furry residents!
Ultimately, by seamlessly blending history with modern student life, the school cultivates an environment that offers each person who sets foot on campus something special, whether through its historic buildings, diverse culture, or even the playful squirrels.
