Darius David Johnston House · Photo: Einbierbitte · CC BY-SA 4.0Norwalk’s public schools outscore 65% of California districts
The grade covers the three public school districts serving Norwalk, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Norwalk, 29% of tested students 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.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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.
Norwalk’s schools, in brief
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 49% and math 29% across its 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 Norwalk-La Mirada Unified $20,749, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
15 elementary schools, then four middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Linus School (private), St. John of God School (private), Trinity Christian School (private), New Harvest Christian School (private), Joyland Preschool (private) and Lutec (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 Norwalk’s grade
B+: better than 65% of California school districts, #295 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 Norwalk, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Norwalk · depends on your address
Norwalk High
Grades 9–12 · 2,075 students · 24:1 students per teacher
John H. Glenn High
Grades 9–12 · 882 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Norwalk · depends on your address
Norwalk High
Grades 9–12 · 2,075 students · 24:1 students per teacher
John H. Glenn High
Grades 9–12 · 882 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Norwalk · depends on your address
Norwalk High
Grades 9–12 · 2,075 students · 24:1 students per teacher
John H. Glenn High
Grades 9–12 · 882 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Norwalk · depends on your address
Norwalk High
Grades 9–12 · 2,075 students · 24:1 students per teacher
John H. Glenn High
Grades 9–12 · 882 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Parts of Norwalk (7% of its land) are served by ABC Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Norwalk
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
Norwalk vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Norwalk’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Cerritos | A− | ABC Unified |
| Bellflower | B− | Bellflower Unified |
| Downey | B+ | Downey Unified K–12 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Whittier Union High with Norwalk for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Norwalk
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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Ramona Head Start/State Preschool).
Questions about Norwalk’s schools
Are Norwalk’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Norwalk children attend outscore 65% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #295 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 68%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Norwalk in?
Whittier Union High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 9,798 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Norwalk are served by ABC Unified.
Where do Norwalk kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Norwalk High and John H. Glenn High.
What is Norwalk’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 Norwalk spend per student?
$23,421 in Whittier Union High School District, $20,749 in Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District and $23,106 in Little Lake City Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Norwalk?
Yes: St. Linus School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 208 students), St. John of God School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 136 students), Trinity Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 108 students), New Harvest Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 80 students), Joyland Preschool (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 60 students) and Lutec (religious, grades 9–10, 6 students).
Parents talk
What Norwalk families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Norwalk → 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.