Photo: YonderStone · CC BY-SA 4.0Bellflower’s public schools outscore 54% of California districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Bellflower, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Bellflower’s districts is 23%, below the California average (33%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Bellflower’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 23% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,569 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Bellflower High. Enrollment is down 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. John Bosco (private), Wonderland Preschool (private), St. Dominic Savio School (private), St. Bernard School (private), Southland Christian Academy (private), Creative Day Preschool & Academy (private) and Adventist Union School (private) are in town. Las Flores Home Education Independent Study Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Bellflower’s grade
B−: better than 54% of California school districts, #442 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bellflower, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Bellflower
Bellflower High
Grades 7–12 · 1,997 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Bellflower
Bellflower High
Grades 7–12 · 1,997 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Bellflower
Bellflower High
Grades 7–12 · 1,997 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Bellflower
Bellflower High
Grades 7–12 · 1,997 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Bellflower
Bellflower High
Grades 7–12 · 1,997 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Bellflower
Bellflower High
Grades 7–12 · 1,997 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Bellflower’s public schools are run by Bellflower Unified School District, which also serves Lakewood. Parts of Bellflower (10% and 9% of its land) are served by Downey Unified and Paramount Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Bellflower vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Bellflower’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bellflower | B− | Bellflower Unified |
| Downey | B+ | Downey Unified K–12 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
| Norwalk | B+ | Norwalk-La Mirada Unified K–12 · Little Lake City Elementary K–8 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
| Lakewood | B | Long Beach Unified K–12 · Bellflower Unified K–12 |
| Paramount | C+ | Paramount Unified |
| Cerritos | A− | ABC Unified |
Every school in Bellflower
16 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (CA Advancing Pathways for Students in Los Angeles Co).
Questions about Bellflower’s schools
Are Bellflower’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Bellflower children attend outscore 54% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #442 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 58%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bellflower in?
Bellflower Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 9,573 students in 15 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Bellflower are served by Downey Unified and Paramount Unified.
What is Bellflower’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Bellflower Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Bellflower spend per student?
$21,569 in Bellflower Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bellflower?
Yes: St. John Bosco (catholic · all-boys, grades 9–12, 800 students), Wonderland Preschool (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 323 students), St. Dominic Savio School (Catholic, grades K–8, 305 students), St. Bernard School (Catholic, grades K–8, 229 students), Southland Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–5, 181 students), Creative Day Preschool & Academy (religious, grades PK–K, 54 students) and Adventist Union School (religious, grades K–8, 48 students).
Parents talk
What Bellflower families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bellflower → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.