James Monroe High School (JMHS), at 9229 Haskell Avenue in North Hills, California, is a public high school in the Los Angeles Unified School District. It is home to Small Learning Communities (SLCs) and three magnet schools. Its mascot is the Viking.
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History
The school opened in the fall of 1958.
The team name Vikings was selected by a student leadership class, as were the school colors and song. The Multipurpose room was named Odin's Hall, and the Annual was named "Valhalla".
It was in the Los Angeles City High School District until 1961, when it merged into LAUSD.
In 2004, five drop-out students including future rapper Hopsin were arrested for vandalizing James Monroe High School property, which was intended to be a school prank. They were later all charged and held on $20,000 bail.
The opening of Panorama High School in October 2006 relieved overcrowding at JMHS.
In 2010, it was ranked 420 in Newsweek's list of U.S. high schools.
Smaller Learning Communities (SLCs)
9th Grade Academy
ARMY JROTC program called the Viking Battalion
Arts, Media, & Entertainment
Engineering & Design (including the Monroe SAS)
Magnet (Law & Government, Police Academy and Fire Academy)
School for Advanced Studies (SAS)
The Monroe School for Advanced Studies, formed in 2001, belongs to the larger SLC of Engineering & Design.
Athletics
The Monroe Vikings are a part of the CIF East Valley League. Monroe offers sports such as:
Baseball
Boys Basketball
Boys Soccer
Boys Volleyball
Boys Wrestling
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Football
Girls Basketball
Girls Flag Football
Girls Soccer
Girls Volleyball
Girls Wrestling
Golf
Softball
Track & Field
Magnet schools
The school offers three Magnet programs to prepare students to pursue careers in law, EMR, fire science, fire occupation, police science, criminology, forensics, and related fields.
Monroe Law and Government Magnet [1]
Established in 1991
It is the first established Law and Government magnet program in California [1]
Activities like mock trials, debate team, internships, Junior Statesmen of America membership, and invitations to events by local politicians
Graduates accepted at top universities including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, USC, UC Berkeley, UCLA
Monroe Police Academy Magnet [2]
Established in 1996
Founded through a partnership between the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and LAUSD; Monroe was one of the first two schools to launch the program
Academically and physically rigorous law enforcement pathway with specialized courses in criminal law, constitutional law, communication skills, computer crime, and physical training aligned with LAPD standards
Simulates the LAPD recruit academy with uniforms, inspections, grooming standards, leadership ranks, drill team, and officer-led instruction
Provides direct career exposure through a full-time LAPD officer, field trips to specialized units (Bomb Squad, Crime Lab, Mounted Unit), and preparation for careers such as patrol officer, sheriff deputy, FBI analyst, military police, and CHP officer
Monroe Fire Academy Magnet (Michael D. McComb Firefighter EMS Academy) [3]
Established in 1999
First fire academy created in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
Prepares over 90 cadets for careers and college pathways in firefighting, EMS, and public service
Provides real firefighter training through partnerships with LAFD and Los Angeles Valley College, including hands-on training at the Frank Hotchkins Memorial Training Center
Offers physical training, first aid & CPR certification, leadership ranks, community service, and realistic emergency response simulations
Mock trial competitions
Because of the Law and Government Magnet, Monroe has its own courtroom. It has a mock trial team that competes in the Los Angeles County Mock Trial Competition run by the Constitutional Rights Foundation, where about 80 schools compete each year. From 2002 to 2007, Monroe reached the semifinals four times, and the quarterfinals two times. In 2008, it reached the finals but lost to Gabrielino High.In 2009, Monroe once again took 2nd place, losing by .76% to Louisville High School, a private all-girls school.
Notable alumni
Angelyne, model, Los Angeles icon
Meredith Baxter, actress, producer (briefly attended during her sophomore year)
Guy Benjamin, NFL quarterback for the Dolphins, Saints, and 49ers
Brandon Browner, NFL player for the Seahawks, Patriots and Saints
Larry Cedar, TV character actor
Doug DeCinces, former Major League Baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles and California Angels
John Ennis, former Major League Baseball player
Jon V. Ferrara, computer software entrepreneur, CEO of Nimble, co-founder of Golmine CRM
Hopsin, rapper
Jimmy Keegan, drummer for Spock's Beard, Santana and Kenny Loggins
Lori Lively, actress and older sister of Blake Lively and Jason Lively
Wayne Massey, actor, recording artist, musician, music producer, CEO; varsity baseball pitcher for Monroe and drafted by Los Angeles Angels
Kevin Mitnick, computer security consultant and convicted hacker
William T. Perkins, Jr., Medal of Honor recipient, Vietnam War, 1967
Gary M. Rose, Medal of Honor recipient, Vietnam War, 1970