[2][3] LACHSA is a public and tuition-free school, offering both college preparatory courses and conservatory style training.

Though it shares facilities with Cal State LA, the two schools' activities are usually separate.

Acceptance into the school is based on an audition process for the approximately 130 spots available for incoming students, about 90% of whom are freshmen.

In 2012, Academy Award nominee Scott Hamilton Kennedy made an award-winning documentary about LACHSA called Fame High.

[5] In late March 2013, LACHSA officially moved many of its classes to a more permanent building on the edge of Cal State LA's campus.