Photo: Proarte · CC BY-SA 4.0Lakewood’s public schools outscore 58% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Lakewood, 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.
Lakewood’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 493 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lakewood’s, its schools beat 43%, lower than their 58% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 32% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Long Beach Unified spends $21,042 per student and Bellflower Unified $21,569, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Joseph High School (private) and Educare Preschool (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 Lakewood’s grade
B: better than 58% of California school districts, #374 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 Lakewood, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Lakewood · depends on your address
Mayfair High
Grades 7–12 · 2,422 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Hoover Middle
Grades 6–8 · 505 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Lakewood · depends on your address
Mayfair High
Grades 7–12 · 2,422 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Hoover Middle
Grades 6–8 · 505 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Lakewood · depends on your address
Mayfair High
Grades 7–12 · 2,422 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Lakewood High
Grades 9–12 · 2,305 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lakewood · depends on your address
Mayfair High
Grades 7–12 · 2,422 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Lakewood High
Grades 9–12 · 2,305 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lakewood · depends on your address
Mayfair High
Grades 7–12 · 2,422 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Lakewood High
Grades 9–12 · 2,305 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lakewood · depends on your address
Mayfair High
Grades 7–12 · 2,422 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Lakewood High
Grades 9–12 · 2,305 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Lakewood runs its own schools through grade 12 (Long Beach Unified School District). From grade K, students attend the Bellflower Unified School District, shared with Bellflower. Parts of Lakewood (18% and 5% of its land) are served by ABC Unified and Paramount Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Lakewood
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Lakewood vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Lakewood’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | B | Long Beach Unified K–12 · Bellflower Unified K–12 |
| Long Beach | B | Long Beach Unified |
| Cerritos | A− | ABC Unified |
| Hawaiian Gardens | A− | ABC Unified |
| Cypress | B | Cypress Elementary K–6 · Anaheim Union High 7–12 |
| Bellflower | B− | Bellflower Unified |
| La Palma | B+ | Centralia Elementary K–6 · Buena Park Elementary K–8 · Cypress Elementary K–6 |
Every school in Lakewood
22 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 (Bellflower Alternative Education Center).
Questions about Lakewood’s schools
Are Lakewood’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Lakewood children attend outscore 58% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #374 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 43%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lakewood in?
Two districts: Long Beach Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Bellflower Unified School District runs grades K–12, shared with Bellflower.
What is Lakewood’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Long Beach Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Lakewood spend per student?
$21,042 in Long Beach Unified School District and $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 Lakewood?
Yes: St. Joseph High School (catholic · all-girls, grades 9–12, 495 students) and Educare Preschool (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 30 students).
Parents talk
What Lakewood families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lakewood → 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.