Frequently Asked Questions

The Zoo Magnet is recognized by the American Association of Zookeepers as one of only six high schools in the nation partnered with the a working zoo. Our close proximity and ongoing collaboration with the Los Angeles Zoo, Autry Museum of the American West, and Griffith Park Rangers facilitates implementation of unique internships, animal science courses, and interdisciplinary, magnet-themed curriculum.

The Zoo Magnet has earned multiple awards from Magnet Schools of America, the national association for magnet and theme-based schools. In 2023, we earned the prestigious Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Magnet School of Merit Award of Excellence, the top award for all magnet programs in the nation, for our commitment to high academic standards, school diversity, specialized curricula and instruction, family engagement, and community partnerships. Previously we were recognized as a Magnet School of Excellence 2022, and Magnet School of Distinction in 2020 and 2019.

We have also been recognized by LAUSD as an Excelling Magnet for 2018, 2019, and 2020 based on SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment exam) results, attendance and the number of Honors and AP Courses offered.

When do Zoo Magnet students begin working with animals?

In 9th grade, students in Environmental Studies work with and care for the animals in the NHHS eight-acre agriculture area. This includes rabbits, turkeys, chickens, alpacas, peacocks, tortoises, pigs, donkeys, goats, and more.

In 11th grade students have access to elective classes such as Animal Behavior and Zoology that allow students to learn directly from LA Zoo docents and keepers about the animals at the LA Zoo. However, due to age restrictions to working hands on with animals at the LA Zoo, students' first chance to work directly with animals at the LA Zoo is their senior year in the Animal Husbandry internship class. In Animal Husbandry, students are assigned a "string" of animals (a group of animals under the care of a single zoo keeper). They work essentially as an assistant zoo keeper - reporting each Animal Husbandry class period to the LA Zoo to meet with their keeper and perform duties such as preparing food, cleaning enclosures, and preparing/administering enrichment activities for the animals. Depending on the animal string assigned, students are able to have varying levels of contact with the animals based on what is safe for the students and animals.

Does the Zoo Magnet have clubs?

YES! The Zoo Magnet has many clubs that meet usually during lunch on school days. Students are able to create their own clubs each year in September. Clubs are approved by NHHS administration and Associated Student Body (ASB). This is followed by a club rush event where students can sign up to join clubs that interest them.

Schedules

How does the block schedule work?

Our block schedule is comprised of two-hour classes that meet on alternating days. Odd period classes meet on Mondays & Thursdays. On Wednesdays & Fridays, students attend even numbered period classes. Tuesdays are our school's Professional Development Days with dismissal at 2:41. On these days, students go to all 6 periods. The two-hour block schedule allows enough time for students to walk to the LA Zoo, Autry Museum, LA River, or other areas in Griffith Park to engage in lessons and activities in their classes. North Hollywood HS is on a regular six-period schedule with each class meeting approximately 55 minutes. Specific times and bell schedules can be found on our schedule page.

Buses

Will I be able to get transportation for my student to school each day?

The district provides transportation to/from a school by your home as long as you outside of a 5 mile radius (as the crow flies) from North Hollywood High School (NHHS). If you are not sure if you qualify, here is a map showing NHHS' boundary. You can enter your address to see if you are outside of the 5 mile radius. Make sure to get to your stop at least 5 minutes before your scheduled pick up time. If you would like to verify your route, you have questions regarding transportation, or your bus is late please call the LAUSD Transportation Division at (800) LA- BUSES / (800) 522-8737.

Families are also welcome to drop off or pick up at either campus according to student's schedules.

How do students get between the two campuses?

School buses travel between the two campuses during the school day - in the morning before school starts, at nutrition, at lunch, and at the end of the school day. See shuttle bus schedule here.

The morning shuttle to the Zoo Magnet leaves NHHS at 8:00am for students who have 1st and 2nd period at the Zoo Magnet campus. NOTE: There is NO bus that takes students to NHHS from the Zoo Magnet campus in the morning.

Students with 1st and 2nd period at the NHHS campus will board a bus on Colfax in front of NHHS immediately after 2nd period ends. The bus will travel to the Zoo Magnet during the nutrition break period so students arrive on time to their next class at the Zoo Magnet. Students should NOT leave their NHHS classes early in order to catch the bus.

If students have 5th and 6th period at the NHHS campus, they board a bus after they finish lunch at the Zoo Magnet campus. The bus gets them to NHHS in time for 5th period. NOTE: ALL students have their lunch period on the Zoo Magnet campus.

At the end of the day, Zoo Magnet students who complete their day at the Zoo Magnet campus can catch a bus to the NHHS campus or be picked up directly from the Zoo Magnet campus. NOTE: There is NO bus takes students to NHHS from the Zoo Magnet campus at the end of the day. Also, there is no after school supervision at the Zoo Magnet campus. If you cannot pick up your student by 3:30pm from the Zoo Magnet, we recommend that they go to the NHHS campus to wait to be picked up from there.

How long is the bus ride between the Zoo Magnet and NHHS campus?

The bus ride is approximately 10 minutes between NHHS and Zoo Magnet. The route from NHHS to Zoo Magnet is 170S (usually entered on Magnolia) to 134W, exit Victory, turn Left and follow Crystal Springs Dr. to the Zoo Magnet campus. Just enough time to finish some last minute homework or take a quick power nap!

Classes

What classes do students take each year?

You can view our four-year course sequence here. Sample 9th and 10th grade schedules can be found on our schedule page. In 9th and 10th grade, students are taking a full schedule of classes required for graduation including math, science (9th grade biology, 10th grade chemistry), English, Spanish, PE, and (in 10th grade only) World History. Our 9th graders also take a special elective course, Environmental Studies, taught by Ms. Benitez in the eight-acre agriculture area (aka ag area) at the North Hollywood campus. In this class, students work hands on to care for the animals in the ag area as well as planting, harvesting, and cooking food as they learn about sustainable agriculture.

Students are required to complete two years of PE for graduation in LAUSD. The PE classes are ONLY available at the North Hollywood HS main campus. In 9th and 10th grade, students take PE plus one additional class (Environmental Studies in 9th grade, Spanish 2 usually in 10th grade) at the NH campus. Math, science, English, and history classes (as well as Spanish 1) are all at the Zoo Magnet campus.

In junior year, students continue with math, English, and U.S. History. However, once they have completed their required two years of PE, they have the option of taking all of their classes at the Zoo Magnet campus, including elective classes (see list of classes here). They may also continue taking elective classes at the NHHS main campus as well.

Do you offer honors classes?

Yes! Many of our core classes are defaulted to honors (ie. we don't offer regular).

When do students start taking elective classes?

Students take Environmental Studies in 9th grade as an elective class. Generally, 10th grade is a full schedule of classes required for graduation. Then, in 11th grade, spots open up for elective classes. In 12th grade, most students have only two classes required for graduation (English and Government/Economics) and the rest of their schedule is electives or any missing requirements they still need.

When do students start taking advanced placement (AP) classes?

We do not recommend students take AP classes until 11th grade. We do not offer AP-level class equivalents to any of the 9th and 10th grade required classes to 9th or 10th graders.

Are they required to take AP classes or can they take regular classes? Would both of those options be available on the Zoo Campus?

Students are not required to take AP classes. AP and regular classes are offered on the Zoo Magnet campus (ex. a senior can take either English Composition or AP English Literature at the Zoo Magnet campus).

What world language classes are offered?

Currently, North Hollywood HS and the Zoo Magnet ONLY offer Spanish to satisfy the world language graduation and college requirement. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in the U.S. and we are proud to have a Spanish teacher at the Zoo Magnet who teaches Spanish 1, Spanish 3, and AP Spanish Language. Spanish 2 and AP Spanish Literature classes are available at the NHHS campus.

Students may take world language classes outside of NHHS through a community college during summer or as concurrent enrollment, but this has to be approved by and coordinated with our academic counselor, Mr. Crowe.

Community Partnerships

How often do students visit the LA Zoo?

This varies depending on the class. Some classes, such as Environmental Studies, Animal Behavior, and Zoology use the Zoo for lessons and activities on a weekly or monthly basis. Other subject areas and classes have specific lessons/units that work utilize resources and facilities at the LA Zoo throughout the school year. Classes can visit the LA Zoo for free with their student ID only.

What kind of work do you do with the Autry Museum?

Our neighbors at the Autry Museum of the American West work closely with our teachers to develop lessons and projects specially catered to our students and program. Classes such as Art History, Anthropology, and other social science and art classes especially use the various exhibits at the Autry Museum in lessons. Students get free admission to the museum with their classes.

Zoo Magnet students have participated in the Autry's Classroom Curator's Program where students work together closely with Autry staff to implement a project-based learning unit related to topics studied in class. The final product was a temporary gallery on display at the Autry Museum.

Students at the Zoo Magnet have been integral to the development of the Investigating Griffith Park exhibit at the Autry Museum. 9th grade students in the Environmental Studies class in 2019-2020 researched information about the history of the Old Zoo to create an interactive and informative gallery for visitors.

AP Environmental Science classes also integrate the Human Nature exhibit at the Museum.

North Hollywood campus

Can students join sports/music/extracurricular groups at the main campus?

Yes! All NHHS sports, music, and extracurricular teams/clubs are available to Zoo Magnet students since most of these meet during after school hours. We have significant Zoo Magnet student representation on all sports teams, music groups (including our Royal Regiment Band and Dance Team), and other teams. In the past students at the Zoo Magnet have been involved with Youth and Government, Speech and Debate, FFA, Archery Club, and more. Visit the North Hollywood HS Athletics Page for more information about sports.