Honor 100 Years of Mann With Community and Art

In 2026, Mann UCLA Community School (Mann UCLA) celebrates 100 years of learning, creativity, and community in South Los Angeles. For nearly a century, this campus has stood at the heart of a neighborhood shaped by change, resilience, and an unwavering belief in public education as a pathway to opportunity. 

Join us in celebrating this momentous occasion by making a gift to support our new mural project and honor the generations of students who have walked these historic halls.

To mark this milestone, Mann UCLA is transforming its campus into a vibrant celebration of the arts. Students and professional artists will create colorful murals that inspire creativity, reflect student voices, and celebrate the community.

In partnership with Branded Arts, an organization that specializes in creating murals and public art, students will work alongside artists to design and paint murals across campus that reflect student perspectives and the history of the school and neighborhood. Students will participate in structured workshops that focus on mural production, gallery preparation, and artistic practice. A student and professional gallery exhibition will be hosted in the dance studio, providing students with experience in curation and public presentation of their work.

The murals will be unveiled on April 10, 2026, when alumni, families, students, educators, and neighbors gather on campus for a centennial block party filled with connection, pride, and celebration. All are welcome to attend - please RSVP here. 

Your gift will directly support both the arts initiative as well as the school's broader priorities, including: 

• College-going programs, application support, financial aid guidance, mentorship, and college visits
• Student enrichment opportunities, such as leadership development, field trips, and creative workshops

About Mann

Horace Mann Junior High School opened in 1926 as a “pioneer” in modern education and has stood at the center of South Los Angeles for nearly a century. Its history reflects the community around it, one shaped by racially restrictive housing covenants in the 1930s, postwar boom of the 1950s, and ongoing struggles for racial justice and educational opportunity.

Enrollment peaked in the 1940s, when students were bused to Horace Mann from other neighborhoods. By the 1970s, many families were sending their children to schools elsewhere in search of opportunity, a pattern that continues in today’s competitive school landscape. In the 1980s, Principal Margueritte Lamotte launched an honors program and was celebrated as a civil rights hero for her work with the community.

After experiencing significant enrollment declines in the 2000s amid the rise of charter schools, Horace Mann began a new chapter in 2016 through a partnership with UCLA. Reimagined as a 6-12 community school grounding in academic rigor, shared leadership, and wraparound support, Mann UCLA now offers students continuity and stability from sixth grade through graduation and beyond.

The results of this model are promising. The first full 6-12 graduating class in 2024 achieved a 100% graduation rate, with expanding college and career pathways. As Mann UCLA approaches its centennial, it stands rooted in history, strengthened by partnership, and committed to opportunity for future generations of South Los Angeles students.

Mural by Herakut, on a building in Los Angeles

As Mann UCLA looks ahead to the next 100 years, we are proud to celebrate many years of growth and strong community roots, and commit to fostering a school environment where students feel supported and inspired. 

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Should this fund reach the campus minimum required for the establishment of an endowment or quasi-endowment, The UCLA Foundation reserves the right to convert this fund to an endowment or quasi-endowment. Please click here to learn more about how the UCLA Foundation invests and manages its endowments.