Best High Schools in Zip Code 90002

This analysis examines three public high schools serving grades 9-12 in the 90002 zip code of Los Angeles, all operated by the Los Angeles Unified district, which serve a student population with high economic need.

Jordan High stands out as the area's primary comprehensive high school, showing significant recent improvement in its statewide ranking and outperforming average scores in English. However, its math scores are below average and chronic student absenteeism is a major concern, affecting nearly half the students. In contrast, Dorothy V. Johnson Community Day and Thomas Riley High are very small alternative schools with severe challenges, including extremely low graduation rates, critically high absenteeism, and consistently low rankings, despite receiving much higher funding per student.

For families, Jordan High represents the main option with demonstrated academic progress, though it shares the area's struggle with attendance. The two smaller schools serve specialized roles with intensive support, but their outcomes indicate they face profound difficulties in engaging students and achieving academic success. The data highlights a community where educational success is possible, as shown by Jordan's turnaround, but where absenteeism remains a critical barrier across all schools.