LA SALLE CELEBRATES ITS 65TH ANNIVERSARY!

In early 1955, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles began construction of a new high school at the corner of East Sierra Madre Boulevard and Michillinda Avenue. Concurrently, the Cardinal Archbishop of Los Angeles, invited the Christian Brothers to administrate the new school and consequently the name La Salle High School was adopted. It was to be a Roman Catholic college preparatory school enriched by the tradition of Lasallian education developed by St. John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the Christian Brothers, whose reputation for innovative excellence in education extends back to 1680.

In November 1955, construction began on the School’s main building. The building would include eight classrooms, science laboratories, mechanical drawing and typing rooms, library, bookstore, audio-visual room, cafeteria, locker room, and offices. The Brothers’ residence and chapel would be built before the opening of the School. That first semester, 117 freshman boys from fourteen nearby communities entered the original school building that would eventually accommodate nearly 450 students in 1964 with a teaching faculty of 11 Christian Brothers and six lay teachers.

In 1965, construction of the Michillinda wing was completed and included a library, biology lab, five additional classrooms, an assembly hall, student bookstore, seminar room, and faculty offices.

In 1986, the first formal discussion occurred regarding the possibility of coeducation at La Salle High School.

The Fall of 1991 was a significant time for La Salle High School. Most importantly, co-education became a reality as young women were officially admitted to the School. Additionally, on September 14, 1991, La Salle fielded its first football team ever. The first game was played against Temescal Canyon at La Canada High School.

In 1996, in an effort to meet the growing needs of La Salle students, a campus expansion project was undertaken that included: the relocation of the school library, a new dining hall, a 200-seat amphitheater, expanded weight room, and a three-story wing that would extend down Michillinda and include four state of the art science labs, general classrooms, student life office, chapel, dance studio, faculty center and administrative offices. All of these improvements would allow the school to properly accommodate an enrollment of 750 students.

In 2012, the new track and football/soccer field was installed on Kohorst Field and in 2014, La Salle unveiled its redesigned men and women’s locker room.

In 2018, La Salle High School embarked on a self-study to help further align our mission and work. This study resulted in a refreshed brand identity and a name, La Salle College Preparatory, which reflects the work of our entire faculty and staff, preparing students for college and beyond. Our school exists at the intersection of exploration and discovery, inspired by the teachings of Saint John Baptist de La Salle. Together across a worldwide network, our community of millions of Lasallians is proud to shepard his spirit of love, care, service, and excellence into the 21st Century. Each day, we nurture the talents of our curious and capable students by offering them challenging opportunities that encourage growth and development. Building on 300 years of education and innovation, La Salle is committed to inspiring the next generation of lifelong learners to find their unique paths to excellence.

La Salle College Preparatory has seen a tremendous evolution over the past 65 years but a few things remain constant, our commitment to serve our students, alumni, and parents and the dedication to uphold our motto of Learn, Serve, Lead.