The official web site of the Lowell Alumni Association

What is the Lowell Alumni Association?
The LAA is an alumni run non-profit organization that oversees programs that focus on coordinating alumni events, fund raising, community involvement, and supporting student activities.

Where is Lowell High School?
Lowell is located in the western half of San Francisco, near Lake Merced.
The campus address is 1101 Eucalyptus Drive, San Francisco, California, 94132

Is my class having a reunion this year?
You can find out about all of the scheduled reunions by visiting the Reunions page.

I've moved and no longer get the Alumni Newsletter anymore. What can I do?
Please visit the Change of Address page and provide your contact information.

Why won't you add my name to the various alumni listings?
Articles that are posted on the LowellAlumni.org website are a strict re-posting of content from a previous alumni newsletter. It was never our intention to create a fully comprehensive and complete listing of alumni in these professions.

Why don't you publish the Keeping in Touch section of the newsletter?
It's a very large amount of content to post. Instead, download the newsletter PDF.

How can I donate to the alumni fund?
You can make a tax-deductible contribution by downloading a donation form, printing it out, completing the form, enclosing a check, and mailing it to the LAA at the address below.
LAA Mailing Address: Post Office Box 320009, San Francisco, CA 94132-0009

I love this website! Where did it come from?
The Lowell Alumni Association website is maintained by alumni volunteers. The graphic design, user interface, and interactive web applications were developed pro-bono by alumni. If you are interested in lending a helping hand or learning more, please contact the webmaster.

I've created a class website. Can you create a link to my website?
Yes. Please submit your website's url by using the technical support form.

I'm creating a class website. Can I use your images/graphics?
Please feel free to incorporate graphics from our website resources page. For all other images, graphics, or content, please respect the work of our volunteers by contacting the webmaster and asking for permission first. Interlectual property, even if freely distributed over the internet, retains its copyright protection.

Who or what is Lowell High School named after
The school is named after James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) who was a famous 19th century poet and author. A sampling from his many works of literature include the following quotes:
- "To educate the intelligence is to expand the horizon of its wants and desires."
- "Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind."
- "Mishaps are like knives, that either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or by the handle."
- "The misfortunes hardest to bear are these which never came."
- "Reputation is only a candle, of wavering and uncertain flame, and easily blown out, but it is the light by which the world looks for and finds merit."
* There are also some who claim that Lowell High School was really named after the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, which was the birthplace of one of the members of the board of education who voted to name the school Lowell.

Is the student newspaper published online?
Yes, it is. You can read it at www.thelowell.org

How long has the modular schedule been used at Lowell?
The 20 interval modular class system was installed by principal Barton Knowles in 1969.

What is the current student population of Lowell?
According to figures from 2006, there are currently 2623 students on the Lowell campus. The racial demographic is 53% Chinese, 15% Non-Hispanic Whites, 5% Filipino, 6% Hispanic, 3% African-American, 2% Korean, 1% Japanese, 11% Other Non-White, and 3% Decline to State. Almost 22% of the student body comes from socioeconomically disadvantaged homes that are eligible for either free or reduced lunch benefits.

How does Lowell rank among the top high schools in America?
According to Newsweek, Lowell would have ranked 23rd overall based on an academic index calculated by dividing the number of Advanced Placement exams administered at the school by the number of graduates.
Lowell's Advanced Placement program is the fourth-largest among all American high schools, public or private, in terms of total number of AP exams administered. On a per student basis, Lowell's Advanced Placement program ranks in the top 25 nationwide among all public high schools, with an average of more than three AP exams administered at Lowell for each graduating senior.

Is Lowell the top high school in California?
Determining the "top high school in California" is tricky, to say the least, and depends upon what measure one uses. Lowell has the largest Advanced Placement program of any high school in California (in terms of the total number of exams administered). With regard to the Academic Performance Index (API), used to measure academic excellence at each of the state's public high schools, Lowell has consistently ranked second in the state each year since the API was established.

What factors are used to determine admission to Lowell?
Since 1966, Lowell High School has had a merit-based admissions policy. Admission is selective and competitive, based on Stanford Achievement Test scores, middle school grades, a written essay, and many other factors, including socio-economic status, extracurricular/leadership activities, community service, athletics, ability to overcome hardship, and extenuating circumstances.
To learn more, visit the Educational Placement Center on the SFUSD website

Will making a significant donation to the LAA increase my child's chances for admission?
While donations are always welcome, they do not factor into the criteria used for admission.

What does the motto "Fiat Scientia" mean on the Lowell High School seal?
It's a Latin term that means "Let there be knowledge"

What does the motto "Non Nobis Solum" mean on the Alumni Association seal?
It's a Latin term that means "Not For Ourselves Alone"

Thank you for supporting Lowell High School!