Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, Whittier · Photo: Los Angeles · CC BY-SA 4.0Whittier’s public schools outscore 72% of California districts
The grade covers the three public school districts serving Whittier, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state reading tests, 53% of Whittier’s students scored proficient, above the California average (47%). 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.
Whittier’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 584 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Whittier’s, its schools beat 80%, higher than their 72% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 53% and math 37% 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 two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Bruno Parish School (private), Primanti Montessori Academy (private), St. Mary of the Assumption School (private), Plymouth Christian School (private), Mulberry Tree Preschool (private), Whittier Friends School (private) and Hadley 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.
What’s behind Whittier’s grade
B+: better than 72% of California school districts, #225 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 Whittier, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Whittier · depends on your address
East Whittier Middle
Grades 6–8 · 985 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Walter F. Dexter Middle
Grades 6–8 · 610 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Whittier · depends on your address
East Whittier Middle
Grades 6–8 · 985 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Walter F. Dexter Middle
Grades 6–8 · 610 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Whittier · depends on your address
East Whittier Middle
Grades 6–8 · 985 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Walter F. Dexter Middle
Grades 6–8 · 610 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Whittier · depends on your address
La Serna High
Grades 9–12 · 2,372 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Whittier High
Grades 9–12 · 1,652 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Whittier · depends on your address
La Serna High
Grades 9–12 · 2,372 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Whittier High
Grades 9–12 · 1,652 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Whittier · depends on your address
La Serna High
Grades 9–12 · 2,372 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Whittier High
Grades 9–12 · 1,652 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Whittier · depends on your address
La Serna High
Grades 9–12 · 2,372 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Whittier High
Grades 9–12 · 1,652 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Parts of Whittier (6%, 6% and 3% of its land) are served by Fullerton Joint Union High, Lowell Joint Elementary and Los Nietos Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve 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
Whittier vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Whittier’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Whittier | B+ | East Whittier City Elementary K–8 · Whittier City Elementary K–8 · Whittier Union High 9–12 |
| La Habra Heights | A− | Lowell Joint Elementary K–8 · Fullerton Joint Union High 9–12 |
| Pico Rivera | B | El Rancho Unified K–12 · 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 |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Whittier Union High with Whittier for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Whittier
24 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 (Early Childhood Education Center).
Questions about Whittier’s schools
Are Whittier’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Whittier children attend outscore 72% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #225 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 80%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is 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 Whittier are served by Fullerton Joint Union High, Lowell Joint Elementary and Los Nietos Elementary.
Where do Whittier kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: La Serna High and Whittier High.
What is 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 Whittier spend per student?
$23,421 in Whittier Union High School District, $18,481 in East Whittier City Elementary School District and $20,026 in Whittier City Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Whittier?
Yes: St. Bruno Parish School (Catholic, grades K–8, 335 students), Primanti Montessori Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 242 students), St. Mary of the Assumption School (Catholic, grades K–8, 206 students), Plymouth Christian School (religious, grades K–6, 71 students), Mulberry Tree Preschool (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 45 students), Whittier Friends School (religious, grades PK–5, 23 students) and Hadley School (nonsectarian, grades K–2, 10 students).
Parents talk
What Whittier families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near 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.