Photo: The Front Page Online · CC BY-SA 4.0Carson’s public schools outscore 50% of California districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Carson, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 28% of Carson’s students scored proficient, 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 95% 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.
Carson’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 544 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Carson’s, its schools beat 34%, lower than their 50% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $25,643 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
13 elementary schools, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Magnolia Science Academy 3, Bethel Baptist School (private) and Inglewood College Preparatory (private) are in town. Virtual Academy of the Arts & Entertainment, 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 Carson’s grade
B−: better than 50% of California school districts, #484 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carson, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Carson · depends on your address
Carson Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,407 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Academies of Education and Empowerment at Carson High
Grades 9–12 · 474 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Academy of Medical Arts at Carson High
Grades 9–12 · 438 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Carson · depends on your address
Carson Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,407 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Academies of Education and Empowerment at Carson High
Grades 9–12 · 474 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Academy of Medical Arts at Carson High
Grades 9–12 · 438 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Carson · depends on your address
Carson Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,407 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Academies of Education and Empowerment at Carson High
Grades 9–12 · 474 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Academy of Medical Arts at Carson High
Grades 9–12 · 438 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Carson · depends on your address
Carson Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,407 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Academies of Education and Empowerment at Carson High
Grades 9–12 · 474 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Academy of Medical Arts at Carson High
Grades 9–12 · 438 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Carson’s public schools are run by Los Angeles Unified School District, which also serves Bell, Cudahy, Gardena and Huntington Park and others. Parts of Carson (12% of its land) are served by Compton 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
Carson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Carson’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Carson | B− | Los Angeles Unified |
| Los Angeles | B− | Los Angeles Unified |
| Compton | B− | Compton Unified |
| Long Beach | B | Long Beach Unified |
Every school in Carson
25 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 (Eagle Tree Continuation).
Questions about Carson’s schools
Are Carson’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Carson children attend outscore 50% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #484 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 34%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Carson in?
Los Angeles Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 406,717 students in 783 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Carson are served by Compton Unified.
Where do Carson kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Carson Senior High, Academies of Education and Empowerment at Carson High and Academy of Medical Arts at Carson High.
What is Carson’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Los Angeles Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Carson spend per student?
$25,643 in Los Angeles Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Carson?
Yes: Bethel Baptist School (religious, grades PK–12, 66 students) and Inglewood College Preparatory (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 27 students). Carson also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Carson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carson → 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.