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Locke High School

Asm. Muratsuchi with Steve Barr and Dr. Peggy Gutierrez
Locke High artwork painted on wall
Check-in table

What does it take to transform a failing inner city public school?

I had the opportunity to learn from Green Dot Public Charter Schools founder Steve Barr and Locke High School principal Dr Peggy Gutierrez today.

14 years ago, Locke High in South Central LA was struggling with gangs, drug dealers, and failing students. A group of Locke teachers voted to turn Locke into a charter school.

Today, Locke is safer and have come a long way academically. But they still struggle with the socioeconomic challenges of a student body that is 97 percent low income, 76 percent Latino, and 24 percent Black.

As a former Torrance School Board member and parent, I was inspired by the dedicated educators of Locke High who are working to change lives through education.