"To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens"

James Monroe High School was first approved for establishment in the year 1957. The school was named after James Monroe (1758-1831), the fifth President of the United States, who was best known for his "Monroe Doctrine." Monroe High School is in the north-central San Fernando Valley, serving the communities of North Hills, and Panorama City.

In 1958, James Monroe High School opened with a population of 1,927 students. James Monroe High School has a minority population, especially non-English speaking students who make up 88.5% of our total school enrollment. Monroe High School is made up of Small Learning Communities (9th Grade Academy, Arts, Media, & Entertainment, Engineering & Design, Fire Academy Magnet, Law & Government Magnet, Police Academy Magnet, and School for Advanced Studies).

James Monroe School selected the team name "Vikings" after a movie of the same name starring Tony Curtis. The Multipurpose room was named Odin's Hall and our Annual was named Valhalla.

Some of the Notable Alumni include: Meredith Baxter (Actress, producer), Guy Benjamin (NFL Quarterback), Brandon Browner (NFL Football player), Doug DeCinces (Former Major League Baseball player), and Debra Winger (Academy Award-nominated actress). Our most famous alumni are Medal of Honor Recipients William Thomas Perkins Jr., Corporal, USMC, and Gary Michael Rose, CPT. Ret., 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), both from the Class of 1965. According to the Medal of Honor Society, James Monroe High School is the only high school to have two Medal of Honor recipients.