Best Public Schools in Compton, CA

Compton has 36 schools: 21 elementary, six middle, six high and three alternative schools, serving students across a range of grades. Across schools with reported 2025–26 results, the unweighted average was 51% in ELA and 44% in math, compared with state figures of 49% and 38%; the science average was 30%, versus 36% statewide. These school averages do not describe the share of all Compton students who are proficient. The most important finding is how widely results differ from school to school: reported results span 83 points in ELA, 74 in math and 72 in science.

Several schools stand out at the high end. Foster Elementary led the elementary group, with 76% proficient in ELA, 77% in math and 73% in science—27, 39 and 37 points above the state, respectively. Early College Middle also posted high results: 90% in ELA, 70% in math and 49% in science, above state figures by 41, 31 and 13 points. Among high schools, Compton Early College High led ELA at 80%, 31 points above the state, while Lifeline Education Charter scored 55% in math, 17 points above. At the low end, Cesar Chavez Continuation High had the lowest reported results: 7% in ELA, 3% in math and 1% in science.

Recent trends are mixed: Foster rose 10 points in ELA, 14 in math and 22 in science from 2024–25 to 2025–26, while Compton Early College High fell 9, 17 and 22 points in those subjects. SchoolDigger statewide percentile rankings also diverged: Bunche Middle rose from 25 to 77 between 2023–24 and 2025–26, while Compton Early College High fell from 93 to 75. High results appear alongside high free/reduced lunch eligibility: in 2024–25, Foster reported 85% and Compton Early College High 85%, while KIPP Compton Community reported 76%; these figures are context, not an explanation for scores. The smallest schools’ results warrant extra caution because a few students can substantially affect rates.