South Whittier’s public schools outscore 71% of California districts
Reading proficiency in South Whittier’s districts is 54%, above the California average (47%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving South Whittier, 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 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.
South Whittier’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 576 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of South Whittier’s, its schools beat 79%, higher than their 71% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 54% and math 36% 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 East Whittier City Elementary $18,481, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Nine elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Gregory the Great School (private) and Carden Academy of Whittier (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 South Whittier’s grade
B+: better than 71% of California school districts, #244 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 South Whittier, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in South Whittier · depends on your address
Hillview Middle
Grades 6–8 · 643 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Whittier
Richard L. Graves Middle
Grades 6–8 · 484 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Whittier
8th grade in South Whittier · depends on your address
Hillview Middle
Grades 6–8 · 643 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Whittier
Richard L. Graves Middle
Grades 6–8 · 484 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Whittier
9th grade in South Whittier
California High
Grades 9–12 · 2,261 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Whittier
10th grade in South Whittier
California High
Grades 9–12 · 2,261 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Whittier
11th grade in South Whittier
California High
Grades 9–12 · 2,261 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Whittier
12th grade in South Whittier
California High
Grades 9–12 · 2,261 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Whittier
Parts of South Whittier (3% of its land) are served by Norwalk-La Mirada Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve South Whittier
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
South Whittier vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share South Whittier’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| South Whittier | B+ | East Whittier City Elementary K–8 · South Whittier 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 |
| Whittier | B+ | East Whittier City Elementary K–8 · Whittier City Elementary K–8 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
| La Mirada | B | Norwalk-La Mirada Unified K–12 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
All 3 neighbors share Whittier Union High with South Whittier for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in South Whittier
14 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).
Questions about South Whittier’s schools
Are South Whittier’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools South Whittier children attend outscore 71% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #244 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 79%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is South Whittier in?
Whittier Union High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 9,798 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of South Whittier are served by Norwalk-La Mirada Unified.
Where do South Whittier kids go to high school?
California High in Whittier, with 2,261 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is South Whittier’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 South Whittier spend per student?
$23,421 in Whittier Union High School District, $18,481 in East Whittier City Elementary School District and $23,436 in South Whittier Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in South Whittier?
Yes: St. Gregory the Great School (Catholic, grades K–8, 282 students) and Carden Academy of Whittier (religious, grades PK–8, 141 students).
Parents talk
What South Whittier families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near South Whittier → 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.