Alexander Hamilton High School faces enrollment and funding crises

Alexander Hamilton Senior High School, a filming location for the series Beverly Hills 90210, is facing a significant decline in student enrollment and rising operational costs. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the school has seen its student population drop by approximately 1,000, falling from nearly 3,000 to around 2,000.

The school serves as a representative example of broader challenges facing the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The district is grappling with declining revenues due to empty classrooms, increased costs from new collective bargaining agreements, and a $222 million bond issue that reflects these financial pressures.

Additional complications include delayed $400 million modernization projects, flooding issues in school buildings, and damage from wildfires. The district also faces scrutiny from the FBI and warnings that it could run out of funds by November 2027. Factors such as stricter immigration enforcement are also cited as potential deterrents for new students.