In 1917, when Torrance School first opened, the city of Torrance was
developing a reputation as an industrial powerhouse. The new school
initially served all school-age children in one building. By 1923, the
elementary students had their own school, and Torrance High School stood
as the only high school until the 1950s. As the population of the city
grew, so did the campus of Torrance High. The rich history of Torrance
High School is filled with academic and athletic successes, as well as
storied alumni like Louis Zamperini and Ted Tanouye, who served the
United States during World War II. In the 1990s, the highly recognizable
Main Building served as a set for several television shows, including
Beverly Hills, 90210 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and movies, such as
She's All That and Not Another Teen Movie.