schools
Site of groundbreaking Black private school in LA closer to becoming historic cultural monument
By Adolfo Guzman-Lopez at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 17, 2026
· 4 min read
A Mary Clay School classroom in 1961-62. Teacher Woody Brown is instructing students in phonics, reading and handwriting.If you drive too quickly along West Adams Boulevard, west of 9th Avenue, you’ll likely miss the former home of the Mary Clay School, a two-story building that for decades provi...
Key takeaway Teacher Woody Brown is instructing students in phonics, reading and handwriting.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The potential designation of the Mary Clay School as a historic cultural monument has significant implications for the West Adams neighborhood, where the school has been a fixture since 1959. As the city's Black population has declined due to demographic shifts, preserving sites like the Mary Clay School is crucial for maintaining the cultural heritage of African Americans in Los Angeles . The school's innovative approach to education and its role in supporting middle-class Black families make it a vital part of the city's history. If approved by the City Council, the historic cultural monument status would not only protect the building from alteration or demolition but also recognize the important contributions of Mary Elizabeth Smith Clay, the school's founder, to the city's educational landscape. This move could also spark further efforts to preserve other under-recognized sites of African American heritage in Los Angeles, ensuring that the city's diverse history is properly acknowledged and celebrated.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more The Los Angeles stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering schools and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Mary Clay School classroom in 1961-62. Teacher Woody Brown is instructing students in phonics, reading and handwriting.If you drive too quickly along West Adams Boulevard, west of 9th Avenue, you’ll likely miss the former home of the Mary Clay School, a two-story building that for decades provi...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Adolfo Guzman-Lopez at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More schools →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter