It’s not hard to see why high schools have been a consistent part of film history when you really think about it. There are so many opportunities for rich storytelling around the high school experience. From coming-of-age tales and high school melodramas to teen comedies and everything in between, high school has always provided filmmakers with an endless source of engaging stories.
As such, the best High School movies don’t necessarily need the most visually engaging school as a backdrop. The emotional journeys that emerge from the high school experience are more than enough for a good film. But it doesn’t hurt to have a memorable backdrop for your high school movie, and Los Angeles has what might just be the most famous school in the entire world.
John Marshall High School has appeared in a staggering number of productions, from movies and TV shows to music videos. Even if you have never heard of the school, chances are you’ve seen it multiple times, as it is basically the movie industry’s go-to location for high school shoots.
The Most Recognizable High School Of All Time
As you might expect, Los Angeles is home to several schools that have been immortalized on-screen. ’90s kids will surely know Torrance High School almost as well as their own alma mater thanks to it hosting several touchstones of the decade. The school served as a filming location for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and “She’s All That.” But even Torrance High can’t compete with the filmography of John Marshall High School…