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Post office Gardena Boulevard California 1939 New Deal Treasury Art Deco Section of Fine Arts 08Photo: Jengod · CC BY-SA 4.0
B−
Schools in Gardena · Los Angeles Unified School District

Gardena’s public schools outscore 50% of California districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Gardena, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 28% of students in Gardena’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#484of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
41%
▼ 6 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
28%
▼ 5 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
84%
▼ 2 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$25.6K
▲ 21% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
19.1
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
10
99,428 students on the public path
In brief

Gardena’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 574 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Gardena’s, its schools beat 44%, 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 ↓

Six elementary schools, then one middle and 95 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

Environmental Charter High - Gardena, Maria Regina (private) and Pacific Lutheran Junior Senior High School (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Gardena’s grade

B− Test scoresC Graduation

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.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 50%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (574)Better than 44%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 221,242 test results and a graduating class of 32,396 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Gardena’s students in the tested grades sat them (221,818 in math, 220,666 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Gardena, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–56 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–8Robert E. Peary MiddleLos Angeles Unified School DistrictNo scores
9–1295 high schoolsDepends on your addressD− to A+

Gardena’s public schools are run by Los Angeles Unified School District, which also serves Bell, Carson, Cudahy and Huntington Park and others. 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.

Los Angeles Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 783 schools · 406,717 students, down 11% since 2020–21 · 19.1 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$25,643CA $21,206 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading41%
State average 46.7% · 220666 students tested
Math28%
State average 33.1% · 221818 students tested

Gardena vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Gardena’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
GardenaB−Los Angeles Unified
Los AngelesB−Los Angeles Unified
TorranceATorrance Unified

Every school in Gardena

105 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).

District schools in Gardenaby address
Denker Avenue Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
670 students21:1Rate it →
Amestoy Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
623 students20:1Rate it →
Chapman Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
406 students20:1Rate it →
Purche Avenue Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
373 students18:1Rate it →
One Hundred Fifty-Third Street Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
363 students16:1Rate it →
One Hundred Fifty-Sixth Street Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
353 students21:1Rate it →
Robert E. Peary Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
1,082 students19:1Rate it →
Also serving Gardenain other towns
Foshay Learning Center
Grades K–12 · Los Angeles
B
1,530 students20:1Rate it →
Elizabeth Learning Center
Grades K–12 · Cudahy
B−
1,257 students17:1Rate it →
New Open World Academy K-12
Grades K–12 · Los Angeles
B−
911 students18:1Rate it →
UCLA Community K-12
Grades K–12 · Los Angeles
B−
887 students19:1Rate it →
Berenece Carlson Home Hospital
Grades K–12 · North Hollywood
C−
381 students4:1Rate it →
Benjamin Franklin Senior High
High · Grades 6–12 · Los Angeles
A−
1,284 students18:1Rate it →
Robert Fulton College Preparatory
High · Grades 6–12 · Van Nuys
B−
1,229 students19:1Rate it →
International Studies Lrng Center at Legacy High Sch Complex
High · Grades 6–12 · South Gate
A−
867 students20:1Rate it →
Girls Academic Leadership Acad Dr. Michelle King Sch STEM
High · Grades 6–12 · Los Angeles
A
720 students20:1Rate it →
Rancho Dominguez Preparatory
High · Grades 6–12 · Long Beach
C+
701 students17:1Rate it →
Ambassador-Global Leadership
High · Grades 6–12 · Los Angeles
C+
472 students16:1Rate it →
Horace Mann UCLA Community
High · Grades 6–12 · Los Angeles
D−
440 students13:1Rate it →
Barack Obama Global Preparation Academy
High · Grades 6–12 · Los Angeles
293 students13:1Rate it →
Boys Academic Leadership Academy
High · Grades 6–12 · Los Angeles
69 students10:1Rate it →
Eagle Rock High
High · Grades 7–12 · Los Angeles
A−
2,031 students20:1Rate it →
North Hollywood Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · North Hollywood
A−
2,444 students21:1Rate it →
Phineas Banning Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Wilmington
B−
2,422 students17:1Rate it →
San Pedro Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · San Pedro
B
2,398 students20:1Rate it →
Venice Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B+
2,293 students21:1Rate it →
James A. Garfield Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B+
2,237 students18:1Rate it →
John F. Kennedy High
High · Grades 9–12 · Granada Hills
B+
2,152 students20:1Rate it →
John H. Francis Polytechnic
High · Grades 9–12 · Sun Valley
A−
2,124 students19:1Rate it →
Bell Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bell
B+
2,088 students21:1Rate it →
Alexander Hamilton Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B+
2,055 students17:1Rate it →
South East High
High · Grades 9–12 · South Gate
B+
1,990 students21:1Rate it →
Van Nuys Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Van Nuys
B+
1,969 students19:1Rate it →
James Monroe High
High · Grades 9–12 · North Hills
B−
1,905 students16:1Rate it →
John C. Fremont Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B−
1,889 students19:1Rate it →
John Marshall Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
A
1,842 students19:1Rate it →
Ulysses S. Grant Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Van Nuys
B
1,774 students20:1Rate it →
South Gate Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · South Gate
B
1,681 students19:1Rate it →
Theodore Roosevelt Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C+
1,678 students19:1Rate it →
San Fernando Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · San Fernando
B−
1,608 students19:1Rate it →
Santee Education Complex
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B−
1,582 students20:1Rate it →
Nathaniel Narbonne Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Harbor City
B
1,549 students19:1Rate it →
Fairfax Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
A−
1,495 students18:1Rate it →
Huntington Park Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Huntington Park
B−
1,479 students19:1Rate it →
Carson Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Carson
B−
1,407 students19:1Rate it →
Canoga Park Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Canoga Park
B−
1,389 students18:1Rate it →
Gardena Senior High
High · Grades 9–12
B−
1,343 students18:1Rate it →
Panorama High
High · Grades 9–12 · Panorama City
B−
1,316 students18:1Rate it →
Woodrow Wilson Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B
1,260 students15:1Rate it →
Verdugo Hills Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Tujunga
A
1,195 students17:1Rate it →
Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C+
1,130 students20:1Rate it →
Augustus Hawkins High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C−
1,122 students20:1Rate it →
Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B
1,102 students17:1Rate it →
Arleta High
High · Grades 9–12 · Arleta
C−
1,038 students17:1Rate it →
Hollywood Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B+
1,025 students16:1Rate it →
Maywood Academy High
High · Grades 9–12 · Maywood
C−
1,012 students18:1Rate it →
Manual Arts Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
D
1,001 students16:1Rate it →
Los Angeles Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C+
978 students16:1Rate it →
Dr. Maya Angelou Community High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
D
971 students16:1Rate it →
West Adams Preparatory High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C−
942 students17:1Rate it →
Abraham Lincoln Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B+
913 students16:1Rate it →
Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C−
853 students18:1Rate it →
Northridge Academy High
High · Grades 9–12 · Northridge
B
832 students18:1Rate it →
Jordan High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C−
797 students16:1Rate it →
Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences
High · Grades 9–12 · Granada Hills
B−
757 students17:1Rate it →
George Washington Preparatory High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C−
738 students16:1Rate it →
Linda Esperanza Marquez High A Hntngtn Park Inst of Appl Med
High · Grades 9–12 · Huntington Park
B+
729 students21:1Rate it →
Helen Bernstein High
High · Grades 9–12 · Hollywood
C−
703 students16:1Rate it →
Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B
694 students18:1Rate it →
Mervyn M. Dymally High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
D
654 students15:1Rate it →
Linda Esperanza Marquez High B LIBRA Academy
High · Grades 9–12 · Huntington Park
B−
615 students21:1Rate it →
Belmont Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C−
614 students17:1Rate it →
STEM Academy at Bernstein High
High · Grades 9–12 · Hollywood
B−
599 students20:1Rate it →
Nava College Preparatory Academy
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B−
598 students18:1Rate it →
Thomas Jefferson Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C+
564 students16:1Rate it →
East Valley Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · North Hollywood
B−
558 students17:1Rate it →
Linda Esperanza Marquez High C School of Social Justice
High · Grades 9–12 · Huntington Park
C+
541 students19:1Rate it →
Sci Tech Engr Arts and Math at Legacy High Sch Complex
High · Grades 9–12 · South Gate
B+
524 students18:1Rate it →
School for the Visual Arts and Humanities
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B+
512 students18:1Rate it →
Communication and Tech at Diego Rivera Lrng Complex
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
D
505 students19:1Rate it →
Performing Arts Community at Diego Rivera Learning Complex
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C+
494 students20:1Rate it →
Diego Rivera Learning Complex Green Design STEAM Academy
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C−
493 students20:1Rate it →
Academies of Education and Empowerment at Carson High
High · Grades 9–12 · Carson
C+
474 students19:1Rate it →
Public Service Community at Diego Rivera Learning Complex
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B−
457 students19:1Rate it →
Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy
High · Grades 9–12 · Wilmington
A+
452 students25:1Rate it →
Academy of Medical Arts at Carson High
High · Grades 9–12 · Carson
A−
438 students17:1Rate it →
Los Angeles High School of the Arts
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C+
431 students17:1Rate it →
Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-Acad of Scientific Explr (ASE)
High · Grades 9–12 · San Fernando
B
420 students20:1Rate it →
Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-Soc Just Humanitas Acad
High · Grades 9–12 · San Fernando
B
417 students20:1Rate it →
Visual and Performing Arts at Legacy High School Complex
High · Grades 9–12 · South Gate
C+
411 students18:1Rate it →
Humanitas Acad of Art and Tech at Esteban E. Torres High #4
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C−
398 students18:1Rate it →
School of Business and Tourism at Contreras Learning Complex
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C+
392 students20:1Rate it →
Contreras Learning Center-Academic Leadership Community
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C−
392 students17:1Rate it →
Middle College High
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
A
361 students21:1Rate it →
E. Los Angeles Renaiss Acad at Esteban E. Torres High #2
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
B−
355 students18:1Rate it →
Contreras Learning Center-School of Social Justice
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C−
326 students18:1Rate it →
Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-Tech Prep Acad
High · Grades 9–12 · San Fernando
C−
321 students15:1Rate it →
Contreras Lrng Center-Los Angeles Sch of Global Studies
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
D
317 students16:1Rate it →
Humanities and Arts (HARTS) Academy of Los Angeles
High · Grades 9–12 · Harbor City
B
296 students15:1Rate it →
Early College Academy-LA Trade Tech College
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
A−
272 students22:1Rate it →
Engr and Tech Acad at Esteban E. Torres High #3
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C+
263 students14:1Rate it →
University Pathways Public Service Academy
High · Grades 9–12 · Los Angeles
C−
121 students12:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Environmental Charter High - Gardena
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
454 students16:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Maria Regina
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Catholic
238 students22:1Rate it →
Pacific Lutheran Junior Senior High School
Grades 6–12
Private · Religious
102 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Gardena’s schools

Are Gardena’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Gardena 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 44%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Gardena in?

Los Angeles Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 406,717 students in 783 schools (2024–25).

Where do Gardena kids go to high school?

One of 95 high schools, depending on your address: North Hollywood Senior High, Phineas Banning Senior High, San Pedro Senior High, Venice Senior High, James A. Garfield Senior High, John F. Kennedy High, John H. Francis Polytechnic, Bell Senior High, Alexander Hamilton Senior High, Eagle Rock High, South East High, Van Nuys Senior High, James Monroe High, John C. Fremont Senior High, John Marshall Senior High, Ulysses S. Grant Senior High, South Gate Senior High, Theodore Roosevelt Senior High, San Fernando Senior High, Santee Education Complex, Nathaniel Narbonne Senior High, Foshay Learning Center, Fairfax Senior High, Huntington Park Senior High, Carson Senior High, Canoga Park Senior High, Gardena Senior High, Panorama High, Benjamin Franklin Senior High, Woodrow Wilson Senior High, Elizabeth Learning Center, Robert Fulton College Preparatory, Verdugo Hills Senior High, Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, Augustus Hawkins High, Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, Arleta High, Hollywood Senior High, Maywood Academy High, Manual Arts Senior High, Los Angeles Senior High, Dr. Maya Angelou Community High, West Adams Preparatory High, Abraham Lincoln Senior High, New Open World Academy K-12, UCLA Community K-12, International Studies Lrng Center at Legacy High Sch Complex, Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High, Northridge Academy High, Jordan High, Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences, George Washington Preparatory High, Linda Esperanza Marquez High A Hntngtn Park Inst of Appl Med, Girls Academic Leadership Acad Dr. Michelle King Sch STEM, Helen Bernstein High, Rancho Dominguez Preparatory, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High, Mervyn M. Dymally High, Linda Esperanza Marquez High B LIBRA Academy, Belmont Senior High, STEM Academy at Bernstein High, Nava College Preparatory Academy, Thomas Jefferson Senior High, East Valley Senior High, Linda Esperanza Marquez High C School of Social Justice, Sci Tech Engr Arts and Math at Legacy High Sch Complex, School for the Visual Arts and Humanities, Communication and Tech at Diego Rivera Lrng Complex, Performing Arts Community at Diego Rivera Learning Complex, Diego Rivera Learning Complex Green Design STEAM Academy, Academies of Education and Empowerment at Carson High, Ambassador-Global Leadership, Public Service Community at Diego Rivera Learning Complex, Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy, Horace Mann UCLA Community, Academy of Medical Arts at Carson High, Los Angeles High School of the Arts, Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-Acad of Scientific Explr (ASE), Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-Soc Just Humanitas Acad, Visual and Performing Arts at Legacy High School Complex, Humanitas Acad of Art and Tech at Esteban E. Torres High #4, Contreras Learning Center-Academic Leadership Community, School of Business and Tourism at Contreras Learning Complex, Berenece Carlson Home Hospital, Middle College High, E. Los Angeles Renaiss Acad at Esteban E. Torres High #2, Contreras Learning Center-School of Social Justice, Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-Tech Prep Acad, Contreras Lrng Center-Los Angeles Sch of Global Studies, Humanities and Arts (HARTS) Academy of Los Angeles, Barack Obama Global Preparation Academy, Early College Academy-LA Trade Tech College, Engr and Tech Acad at Esteban E. Torres High #3, University Pathways Public Service Academy and Boys Academic Leadership Academy.

What is Gardena’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 Gardena 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 Gardena?

Yes: Maria Regina (Catholic, grades K–8, 238 students) and Pacific Lutheran Junior Senior High School (religious, grades 6–12, 102 students). Gardena also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Gardena families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gardena → 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.