Mary Star Of The Sea High: A Different Kind Of Catholic School
What Is Mary Star of the Sea High?
Mary Star of the Sea High School (commonly called Mary Star High) is a private, Roman Catholic coeducational high school located in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, serving the LA Harbor area with 406 students in grades 9-12 and a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Founded in 1951 by Monsignor George M. Scott and operated by Mary Star of the Sea Parish under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the school graduated its first class on June 10, 1954, and has educated over 5,000 students to date.
Core Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 2500 N Taper Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731 |
| Enrollment | 406 students (grades 9-12) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 15:1 |
| Tuition (Highest Grade) | $10,800 |
| College Enrollment Rate | 56% attend 4-year college post-graduation |
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic (Archdiocese of Los Angeles) |
Historical Timeline and Institutional Evolution
The school's founding year 1951 marks the beginning of a distinctive journey in Catholic secondary education along the Los Angeles Harbor. Mary Star began as a coeducational institution, but in 1959 the Archdiocese created Fermin Lasuén High School for boys, prompting Mary Star's transition to an all-girls school; the Class of 1962 was the last co-ed class.
- 1922: Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School founded by the parish
- 1951: High School founded by Monsignor George M. Scott; Sr. Nepomucen, IHM became first principal
- 1954: First graduating class completed on June 10, 1954
- 1959: Transition begins to all-girls school with creation of Fermin Lasuén High
- 1962: Last co-ed class graduates
- 1971: Fermin Lasuén closes; Mary Star becomes coeducational again
- 1992: Last Immaculate Heart Sister leaves the school
- 1991-present: Norbertine Fathers begin staffing the school
- 2007: Campus moves from 8th Street to new Taper Avenue location; dedicated September 30, 2007 by Cardinal Roger Mahony
- 2021: Girls' basketball wins first CIF-Southern Section championship (Division 4-AA) with 54-50 victory over Agoura
Academic Program and AP Offerings
Mary Star High delivers college-preparatory rigor through eight Advanced Placement courses: AP Calculus, AP English Literature, AP European History, AP Government, AP Spanish Language, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, and AP U.S. History. The school was recognized as one of the top 50 Catholic high schools in America in 2006, reinforcing its academic reputation.
- AP Calculus - rigorous quantitative reasoning for STEM pathways
- AP English Literature - advanced literary analysis and critical writing
- AP European History - deep historical context and evidential argumentation
- AP Government - civic literacy and constitutional understanding
- AP Spanish Language - bilingual proficiency and cultural competence
- AP Environmental Science - sustainability and systems thinking
- AP Physics - foundational physics for engineering and science majors
- AP U.S. History - national narrative and primary source analysis
Religious Identity and staffing model
The school's Catholic philosophy of education is rooted in Gospel values and supervised by the Department of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. While originally staffed largely by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, the current administration and faculty are predominantly lay women and men, with Norbertine Fathers contributing since 1991.
Community Impact and Distinctive Identity
Mary Star serves the LA Harbor and surrounding communities, drawing a student body with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds that enrich the school's traditions begun in 1951. The 2007 campus relocation concluded a relocation dream pursued since 1995, with the new campus dedicated by Cardinal Roger Mahony on September 30, 2007.
"The school has played a very important role in the life of the community, graduating over 5,000 students."
This community-centered mission distinguishes Mary Star as a different kind of Catholic school-one that blends educational rigor with spiritual formation and social purpose, aligning with broader values-driven pedagogies seen in Marist and other Catholic traditions across Latin America and beyond.
Expert answers to Mary Star Of The Sea High A Different Kind Of Catholic School queries
Who operates Mary Star of the Sea High?
Mary Star of the Sea Parish operates the school under the supervision of the Department of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
When was the school founded and when did it open?
The High School was founded in 1951 by Monsignor George M. Scott, and the first graduating class completed in 1954 on June 10.
Is Mary Star of the Sea High coeducational today?
Yes. After becoming an all-girls school in 1959, it returned to coeducation in 1971 when Fermin Lasuén High closed.
What is the tuition cost?
Tuition is $10,800 for the highest grade offered, with financial aid and a sliding tuition scale available via application.
Where is the campus located now?
The campus is at 2500 N Taper Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731; the school moved there from 8th Street in fall 2007.
