Photo: Thurifer · CC BY-SA 4.0Torrance’s public schools outscore 87% of California districts
Math proficiency in Torrance’s districts is 57%, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Torrance, 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 98% 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.
Torrance’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 516 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Torrance’s, its schools beat 94%, higher than their 87% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 67% and math 57% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,113 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
17 elementary schools, then eight middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Bishop Montgomery High (private), St. Catherine Laboure School (private), First Lutheran School (private), Riviera Hall Lutheran School (private), Nativity School (private), St. James Elementary School (private), Ambassador High School (private), Hickory Tree School (private), South Bay Christian School (private), Switzer Learning Center (private), Abc Playhouse (private), The Childrens Place (private), Pacific Explorer Montessori (private), The Childrens Place School (private) and Bread of Life Church Kindergarten (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 Torrance’s grade
A: better than 87% of California school districts, #99 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 Torrance, with each school’s own grade.
Torrance’s public schools are run by Torrance Unified School District. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Torrance vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Torrance’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Torrance | A | Torrance Unified |
| Redondo Beach | A | Redondo Beach Unified |
| Rolling Hills Estates | A+ | Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified |
| Lomita | B− | Los Angeles Unified |
| Lawndale | B | Lawndale Elementary K–8 · Centinela Valley Union High 9–12 |
| Los Angeles | B− | Los Angeles Unified |
| Gardena | B− | Los Angeles Unified |
| Palos Verdes Estates | A+ | Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified |
Every school in Torrance
45 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: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Southern California ROC, Gene Drevno Community Day and LAUNCH Preschool). 2 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Torrance’s schools
Are Torrance’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Torrance children attend outscore 87% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #99 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 94%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Torrance in?
Torrance Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 21,890 students in 31 schools (2024–25).
Where do Torrance kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Torrance High, North High, West High and South High.
What is Torrance’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in Torrance Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Torrance spend per student?
$16,113 in Torrance Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Torrance?
Yes: Bishop Montgomery High (Catholic, grades 9–12, 869 students), St. Catherine Laboure School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 432 students), First Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 299 students), Riviera Hall Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 271 students), Nativity School (Catholic, grades K–8, 217 students), St. James Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 149 students), Ambassador High School (religious, grades 6–12, 136 students), Hickory Tree School (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 90 students), South Bay Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 84 students), Switzer Learning Center (special education, grades 7–12, 58 students), Abc Playhouse (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 45 students), The Childrens Place (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 28 students), Pacific Explorer Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 13 students), The Childrens Place School (nonsectarian, grades 1–6, 10 students) and Bread of Life Church Kindergarten (religious, grades K, 7 students).
Parents talk
What Torrance families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Torrance → 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.