Woodrow Wilson Classical High School: The Unmatched Legacy of Producing Olympians

In a modest, working-class neighborhood of Long Beach, California, lies Woodrow Wilson Classical High School, a century-old institution with an extraordinary track record.

Wilson High School has consistently produced Olympians at a rate unmatched by other high schools across the country. Since 1952, with the exception of the 1980 U.S. boycott, the school has had an athlete compete in every Summer Olympics. To put this into perspective, the last time Wilson didn’t have an Olympic athlete, Harry Truman was president, gas was 26 cents per gallon, and credit cards were not yet in use.

The school's gymnasium showcases more than just state championship banners and retired jerseys; it also features numerous banners honoring over 30 alumni who have competed in various Olympic sports, including track and field, swimming, volleyball, baseball, rowing, and water polo.

High jumper Rachel Glenn and water polo player Max Irving have further cemented Wilson’s reputation as an Olympic sports powerhouse by qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Glenn, a first-time Olympian, reflected on the school’s impressive 72-year streak after narrowly missing the Olympic high jump final in front of a packed Stade de France.

“I think it speaks volumes about the school and the coaches,” Glenn said. “The coaches are definitely very tough. They’re not lenient at all. If you’re slacking, they’ll call you out and ask, ‘What are you here for?’ They take it seriously.”