We are seeking a dynamic leader to join
the transformation of Manual Arts High School

Manual Arts High School, established in 1910, was the third high school in Los Angeles, and is the oldest high school on its original site in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). This legacy school boasts a rich history and notable alumni such as artist Jackson Pollock, director Frank Capra, and California’s 31st governor, Goodwin Knight. In recent years, the school has struggled. Over half who begin as freshmen do not graduate. Only a small percentage of students demonstrate proficiency in English and math. Close to 90 percent of students receive a free or reduced lunch and one-third are English learners. Not surprisingly, turnover among staff has been high.

In 2008, teachers and parents voted to join MLA’s network of schools through LAUSD’s innovative new iDesign Schools division, with WestEd as a primary partner. Manual Arts now exercises considerable autonomy over scheduling, school policies, hiring and budget decisions, with significant on-the-ground support from MLA Partner Schools and WestEd. Through iDesign, the new principal reports to MLA Partner Schools in a nontraditional management structure rather than the current local structure in LAUSD. Within this new environment, students, parents, and school leaders have begun to weigh in on how best to support their students’ education, with the vision of turning Manual Arts into a beacon for the community.