Torrance High School in Torrance, California is one of the oldest high schools in continuous use in California. First opened September 11, 1917 as a combination high school and elementary school to accommodate the area's rapid post-war growth brought on by its petroleum industry and iron works as well as the Pacific Electric Railway, Torrance High's unique architecture and relative proximity to Hollywood make it a perfect location for major television programs and motion pictures. Among its credits:

• In TV, the main building which received a major facelift and indoor modernization in the late 1970s served as the facade of fictitious West Beverly High School in the Fox Network series, Beverly Hills 90210 and as Sunnydale High School, the alma mater of Buffy Summers in the WB Network series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The main building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is Torrance's first such listing.

• The movies saw Torrance High used as the high school setting for the Freddie Prinze, Jr. movie, She's All That, a remake of Pygmalion. Torrance High also played a prominent role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and in Cursed.

A scenic fountain and patio added behind the main building in the 1920s and which was frequently seen in Beverly Hills 90210 has been known for decades as the "Senior Patio." As the patio is traditionally off-limits to underclassmen, those caught in the Senior Patio face the threat of winding up in the fountain.

The 1933 Long Beach Earthquake left its mark on the campus as well. The quake destroyed the upper part of the original auditorium and caused the ground near it to sink several feet. The auditorium was rebuilt as a WPA project before the end of the decade while elevated administrative offices were added in the 1960s. The area is nicknamed the "Sunken Garden."

Torrance High School's colors are maroon and gray. The sports teams and marching band are the "Tartars."

External link

• Torrance High School official website