[citation needed] The high school offers a complete academic program with an emphasis on journalism and communications.

Its current name honors Daniel Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter killed by terrorists who was an alumnus of Birmingham High School.

Connie Llanos of the Los Angeles Daily News said that Pearl "got off to a rocky start."

Some left because Pearl was so small; they wanted a more comprehensive high school experience.

In the Spring 2011 semester, 94% of the tenth grade students passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) on the first attempt.

[5] Its current location is made up of the last buildings remaining from Birmingham General Hospital.

These scores indicate that DPMHS is considered to be the top performing public non-charter High School in the San Fernando Valley.

On June 26, 2016, the Los Angeles Press Club recognized The Pearl Post as High School Newspaper of the Year, stating that "The Pearl Post combines an exciting range of articles, photos, and opinion pieces in a well-organized layout, making it easier and quicker to find sections of interest and, thus, keeping its readers coming back for more.

She refused, with the support of the Student Press Law Center and the family of Daniel Pearl.