Why I Still Believe in Beverly Hills Public Schools

By Marty Halfon – Beverly Hills Resident Since 1962 | Beverly Hills High School Class of ’76

As someone who’s lived in Beverly Hills since 1962 and attended public school here myself, I want to share why I still believe in the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) and why I’m more optimistic than ever about its future.

I’m a proud graduate of El Rodeo Elementary School, Class of 1972, located at 605 North Whittier Drive. I later walked the halls of Beverly Hills High School, graduating in 1976. Back then, our public school system was one of the best in the country. We had four elementary schools: El Rodeo, Horace Mann, Hawthorne, and Beverly Vista, all feeding into Beverly Hills High School. These campuses, originally built in the 1920s and ’30s, served generations of students and gave us a strong academic foundation.

Over the years, especially in the 1980s, many families in Los Angeles began turning to private schools like Harvard-Westlake, Marymount, Westlake School for Girls, Crossroads, Windward, and Notre Dame Academy. Back then, tuition averaged around $15,000 per student annually. This shift contributed to a decline in public school enrollment across districts like Beverly Hills.

But what many people don’t realize is just how much things have changed. Today, private school tuition can range from $35,000 to over $50,000 per year—plus mandatory giving and event donations. And let’s be honest: that’s not a tax-deductible expense. For families with two or three children, it can be financially overwhelming and, for many, simply cost-prohibitive.

A Community Wide Comeback

Beverly Hills schools undergoing major renovations and rebuilding efforts, I believe parents will begin to rethink the education process. Why spend tens of thousands on private education when Beverly Hills Schools now have state-of-the-art campuses, dedicated teachers, and a renewed commitment from the community, the Board of Education, and the Beverly Hills Education Foundation to deliver the highest quality public education?

Thanks to the shared commitment of the Beverly Hills community, the Board of Education, and the Beverly Hills Education Foundation (BHEF), our schools have been completely transformed.

Today, El Rodeo (605 N. Whittier Dr.), Horace Mann (8701 Charleville Blvd.), and Beverly Vista (200 S. Elm Dr.) have all undergone full, state-of-the-art renovations. These aren’t outdated buildings from another era — they’re modern, clean, and designed to give students the best learning environment possible, free of asbestos, with new systems, technology, and upgraded infrastructure.

• El Rodeo and Horace Mann serve Kindergarten through 5th grade.

• Students then move on to the newly renovated Beverly Vista Middle School for 6th through 8th grade.

• After that, they attend the iconic Beverly Hills High School, located at 241 South Moreno Drive.

Public Schools Build More Than Education, They Build Community

I’ve always believed in the value of public schools not just for education, but for what they represent to a city like Beverly Hills. Public schools bring together children from different backgrounds — creating diversity, friendship, and understanding at a young age. More importantly, when families send their children to schools in their own neighborhoods, it strengthens the community fabric.

Local public schools help build lasting relationships — between parents, between kids, and between future business partners, neighbors, and leaders. They create the kind of connections that private schools, often drawing from dozens of zip codes, simply don’t offer. Public education is the heartbeat of a real neighborhood, and that’s exactly what Beverly Hills has been reclaiming.

Beverly Hills High School,  A Symbol of Progress

Beverly Hills High School is currently undergoing a major renovation that, once completed, will make it one of the most advanced public high schools in California. The campus remains open and active during construction, and historic features like the swim gym, a basketball court that opens up to a pool below, featured in It’s a Wonderful Life, are being preserved and restored. A new outdoor pool and other modern amenities are also being added.

This is more than a facelift,  it’s a total reimagining of what Beverly Hills High School can offer our students, from world-class academics and arts to technology and athletics.

Hawthorne, A Campus on Standby

Hawthorne School, located at 624 North Rexford Drive, is currently used for administrative purposes due to lower student enrollment. But I fully believe that as more families return to the public school system, this campus will reopen and be part of the educational lineup again.

The Role of BHEF, Keeping Excellence Alive

The Beverly Hills Education Foundation (BHEF) continues to be the backbone of our district’s success. From funding STEM programs and the arts to supporting teachers and technology, BHEF ensures that Beverly Hills public schools not only meet but exceed expectations, even when state funding falls short.

Looking Ahead

As someone who came through this school system, and now works with families looking to grow roots in our city, I can tell you this: Beverly Hills public schools are back  and stronger than ever. They are safe, modern, and filled with opportunity. They don’t just educate children  they build lifelong friendships, spark community pride, and keep Beverly Hills connected.

If you’re a parent considering your options, don’t overlook what’s in your own neighborhood. Beverly Hills public schools offer a world-class education and something even more valuable , a community that grows together and friendships that last a lifetime.