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Although Central High School No. 9 in downtown Los Angeles has a completed campus, the school slated to open in the fall still lacks a principal, a staff, a curriculum, a permanent name and a method for admitting students.
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L.A.'s new arts high school remains an unfinished project

Although Central High School No. 9 in downtown Los Angeles has a completed campus, the school slated to open in the fall still lacks a principal, a staff, a curriculum, a permanent name and a method for admitting students.

Although Central High School No. 9 in downtown Los Angeles has a completed campus, the school slated to open in the fall still lacks a principal, a staff, a curriculum, a permanent name and a method for admitting students. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Richard Alonzo, superintendent of LAUSD's Local District 4, walks through the library of the $232-million campus -- believed to be the second most expensive public high school ever built in the United States.

Richard Alonzo, superintendent of LAUSD’s Local District 4, walks through the library of the $232-million campus -- believed to be the second most expensive public high school ever built in the United States. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Project manager Armando De La O lowers the blinds in a classroom in the arts building. There is debate over whether the campus should be a neighborhood school or one that accepts the most talented students citywide.

Project manager Armando De La O lowers the blinds in a classroom in the arts building. There is debate over whether the campus should be a neighborhood school or one that accepts the most talented students citywide. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Alonzo points to an aerial photo of the campus. He says that at least in its early years, 1,200 of the school's 1,700 seats will be reserved for students from surrounding neighborhoods, primarily the low-income enclaves of Pico-Union and Chinatown.

Alonzo points to an aerial photo of the campus. He says that at least in its early years, 1,200 of the school’s 1,700 seats will be reserved for students from surrounding neighborhoods, primarily the low-income enclaves of Pico-Union and Chinatown. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

A tower on the campus looms over the 101 Freeway. Partly at the urging of philanthropist Eli Broad, the district decided to turn the Grand Avenue site into an arts school that would anchor Broad’s Grand Avenue Project and embrace the major arts institutions within walking distance.

A tower on the campus looms over the 101 Freeway. Partly at the urging of philanthropist Eli Broad, the district decided to turn the Grand Avenue site into an arts school that would anchor Broad’s Grand Avenue Project and embrace the major arts institutions within walking distance. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

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