One year after my graduation, Louisville High School remains an important part of my formation to adulthood. More than the obvious reasons your four years of high school are important, the people I met and bonded with, the lessons I learned inside and outside of the classroom, and the experiences I had have made me into the strong woman I am today, and someone I think my younger self would have been proud of. The all-girls school formed by strong young women who left everything they knew to create it is a place I called home for four years. I will be grateful to Louisville for years to come.

1. It is an all-girls education.

I could write a book about all the benefits of going to a single-sex high school, but for the sake of the topic I will keep it brief. The environment is much more comfortable and inclusive than that of a coed school. There is much less pressure to act or look a certain way to impress boys, and you will learn how to be more confident in the classroom for the same reason. In science classes, girls are in charge of the experiment. In English classes, girls dominate the discussion. Because it's all girls all the time. Once you get used to that, you never really forget it, and it is a great mindset to go into college with.

2. It's not too big and not too small.

At roughly 400 total students, you will always know someone while walking across campus, but you will also always see a new or unfamiliar face. With each class (freshman, sophomore, etc.) numbering about 100 or less girls, you will know most of the girls in your class by the end of your four years, which is an amazing feeling. You will also always be making new friends, either in your class or in a younger or older one based on mutual extracurricular activities, mixed classes, or just out and about on campus!

3. The small class sizes allow teachers to be more down to earth.

I could name at least five teachers from Louisville off the top of my head who shaped my high school experience positively and inspired me. The teachers at Louisville really care about the students, and that's something special you won't find at every high school. Whether you ask a question in class or visit them in between classes to further a discussion or ask more questions, they will be more than happy to help you or talk to you.

4. You really can do whatever you want.

When inspirational speakers say, "You can be whoever you want to be," at Louisville they really mean it. You can get involved with theater if that's your calling, or if you've wanted to be a journalist since you were 5, applying for Louisville's Focus program in journalism is an option for you. Focus programs at Louisville push you to try internships as a high school student instead of waiting for college, which is, quite frankly, amazing. In addition, Louisville supports other programs including athletics, choir, robotics, and much more. You can really find whatever you're looking for.

5. You will be well-prepared for college.

Louisville is strong in its college preparatory status. Being an incoming second-year college student, I can confirm that the hard work Louisville put me through was well worth it. Particularly in quality of writing, which is important in every field, Louisville ensured I was very well prepared for college.

6. The campus is beautiful.

If absolutely nothing else, the campus is nestled in Woodland Hills and has a lot more greenery than many high schools I've seen. There are also bunnies on campus. Enough said.

7. Sweatpants!!!

Sweatpants season is a blessing. We clean up well for formal dress days, but most days in winter (from about early November to late March if I remember correctly), we are allowed to wear sweatpants and Ugg boots with our uniforms. Messy buns are also a staple during this time. While California winter is much different from the Nebraska winter I now have to live with, those sweatpants were really appreciated in that harsh 50 degree weather. Not to mention, Louisville sweatpants are ridiculously soft and comfortable.

If I haven't said it enough, Louisville has honestly made me more confident in myself, in my abilities, and resolute in my inclination to follow my heart wherever it takes me. They encourage girls to be the best version of themselves, and unified with each other as "sisters". In fact, I missed the experience at Louisville so much that I decided to join a sorority, and am happily a part of Kappa Kappa Gamma at my university. If you live in the LA area, I believe it is the absolute best place to send your daughter (or go yourself if you're reading this as a pre-high school girl!).

P.S. You won't get judged for buying Starbucks on the way to school. Everyone else does, too.