Palisades Charter High School is into its 2nd month of the 2010-2011 School year, where 627 seniors are applying to college and underclassmen are working hard to follow in their footsteps. Palisades Charter High School is a financially independent comprehensive four year high school that received its charter status in 2003.
As a charter school Pali has an increased flexibility and ability to offer more opportunities to more students. It is known for its diversity, with students coming from over 115 different zip codes, many enduring a long bus ride to attend one of the most highly-ranked high schools in Los Angeles. Between Santa Monica and Malibu, the Pacific Palisades offers a safe community for students to spend their high school careers.
This year, 2832 students attend Pali High, many of whom are Brentwood residents. Pali students enjoyed a lot of excitement in the first weeks of October, not just with Homecoming week but also with the unveiling of the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center. This 13 lane, 25 yard by 30 meter, competition pool and 25 yard by 20 foot lesson pool began construction in August of 2009. The facility was named after the daughter of infamous “Mama G.†Rose Gilbert, 93, is the only remaining member of the original staff hired in 1961 when the school was founded.
The AP English Language and AP Literature teacher donated more than $2 million dollars to the $4.9 million dollar project and was involved with the fundraising for the pool, as was the Palisades community. The pool will be available to friends and family of the community by pass or permit during non-school hours when it will be used by the students and swim teams.
Pali was also victorious against the Granada Hills Highlanders in their Homecoming Football game on October 1. The 10-0 victory was their second win and shutout in a row of the season and the first game at home. The win brought pride and excitement to the Pali Dolphins in the days leading up to the Homecoming Dance, the “Night on the Red Carpet,†held on Saturday, Oct. 9.
