History
A public alternative high school in San Francisco, California. Lowell High School is the oldest public high school west of the Mississippi and traces its beginnings to 1856 as the Union Grammar School. In 1894, the school was renamed to honor the distinguished poet, James Russell Lowell. In 1952, the drive accelerated for a new Lowell on District property near Lake Merced. Lowell opened at this new ___location in 1962 to complete the fourth move in its history.
Location
The school is located in south western San Francisco, north of Lake Merced, near the Sunset neighborhood. The weather is mild year round, with regular exposure to the Pacific fog.
Academics
Lowell is regarded as the best public high school in the San Francisco Unified School District and known for its competitive admissions process similar to that of colleges.
Notable Alumni
Walter Haas, Class of 1905. Board Chairman, Levi Strauss Co.
William Hewlett, Class of 1930. Inventor, businessman, philanthropist. Co-founder, Hewlett-Packard Company; Flora & William Hewlett Foundation
Carol Channing, Class of 1938. International star of stage and screen
Donald Fisher, Class of 1946. Founder and Board Chairman of the GAP
Benjamin Bratt, Class of 1982. Movie and TV personality. Starred in the popular television series, "Law & Order"