James C. Rives House · Photo: Floatjon · CC BY-SA 3.0Downey’s public schools outscore 68% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Downey, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 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 96% 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.
Downey’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 590 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Downey’s, its schools beat 76%, higher than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 50% and math 31% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Whittier Union High spends $23,421 per student and Downey Unified $19,524, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Calvary Chapel Christian School (private), St. Pius X - ST. Matthias High School (private), Downey Christian School (private), Kirkwood Christian Schools (private), Rancho Los Amigos Childrens Center (private) and Creative Beginnings Elementary Inc (private) are in town. 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 Downey’s grade
B+: better than 68% of California school districts, #267 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Downey, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Downey · depends on your address
Downey High
Grades 9–12 · 4,051 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Warren (Earl) High
Grades 9–12 · 3,609 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Downey · depends on your address
Downey High
Grades 9–12 · 4,051 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Warren (Earl) High
Grades 9–12 · 3,609 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Downey · depends on your address
Downey High
Grades 9–12 · 4,051 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Warren (Earl) High
Grades 9–12 · 3,609 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Downey · depends on your address
Downey High
Grades 9–12 · 4,051 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Warren (Earl) High
Grades 9–12 · 3,609 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Downey runs its own schools through grade 12 (Downey Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Whittier Union High School District, shared with Industry, La Mirada, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs and Whittier. Parts of Downey (3% of its land) are served by Little Lake City Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Downey
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Downey vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Downey’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Downey | B+ | Downey Unified K–12 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
| South Gate | B− | Los Angeles Unified |
| Bellflower | B− | Bellflower Unified |
| Norwalk | B+ | Norwalk-La Mirada Unified K–12 · Little Lake City Elementary K–8 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
| Santa Fe Springs | B+ | Little Lake City Elementary K–8 · Los Nietos Elementary K–8 · Norwalk-La Mirada Unified K–12 |
| Paramount | C+ | Paramount Unified |
| Bell Gardens | C | Montebello Unified |
| Pico Rivera | B | El Rancho Unified K–12 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
| Commerce | C | Montebello Unified |
3 of the 8 neighbors share Whittier Union High with Downey for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Downey
27 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: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Los Angeles County ROP and Woodruff Academy).
Questions about Downey’s schools
Are Downey’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Downey children attend outscore 68% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #267 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 76%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Downey in?
Two districts: Downey Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Whittier Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Industry, La Mirada, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs and Whittier.
Where do Downey kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Downey High and Warren (Earl) High.
What is Downey’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Whittier Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Downey spend per student?
$23,421 in Whittier Union High School District and $19,524 in Downey Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Downey?
Yes: Calvary Chapel Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 648 students), St. Pius X - ST. Matthias High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 561 students), Downey Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 181 students), Kirkwood Christian Schools (religious, grades PK–5, 140 students), Rancho Los Amigos Childrens Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 81 students) and Creative Beginnings Elementary Inc (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 66 students).
Parents talk
What Downey families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Downey → 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.