Best Public Schools in Zip Code 90015

This analysis covers 11 schools in the 90015 zip code of downtown Los Angeles, a high-need area where all schools serve a student population with over 85% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, featuring nine elementary schools and two standout high schools.

Parents will find a distinct contrast between school levels in this area. The two high schools, Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High and Early College Academy-LA Trade Technical College, are clear strengths, achieving graduation rates near or at 100% and test scores that significantly exceed state averages. In contrast, most elementary schools, including those in the Equitas Academy Charter District network and traditional Los Angeles Unified schools like San Pedro Street Elementary and Tenth Street Elementary, generally perform below state academic benchmarks, with high chronic absenteeism being a widespread concern.

Key insights show that higher per-student spending does not automatically mean higher performance here, as the top-ranked Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High spends the least. The very small Jardin de la Infancia reports perfect attendance, while elementary schools show volatile test scores between grades. Overall, the high schools demonstrate what is possible in this community, while the elementary level presents the greatest opportunity for improvement in foundational skills and student engagement.