Summary:
This analysis examines eight high schools in Los Angeles's 90026 zip code, serving grades 9-12, which collectively enroll 3,488 students in a mix of traditional, charter, continuation, and specialized schools within a high-need urban area.
Parents will find a stark contrast in school performance within this single zip code. Downtown Business High and Alliance Ted K. Tajima High stand out as top performers, with graduation rates above 97%, strong test scores that beat state averages, and low chronic absenteeism. In sharp contrast, schools like Belmont Senior High and Harold McAlister High (Opportunity) face significant challenges, including very high dropout rates and chronic absenteeism that exceeds 75% at Harold McAlister.
Key insights show that higher spending does not guarantee success, as Downtown Business High achieves excellent results with lower per-student spending than struggling schools. Chronic absenteeism is a major red flag, strongly correlating with poor outcomes. Math is a particular weakness across most schools, with only Downtown Business High exceeding the state average. The presence of both highly successful and deeply struggling schools in close proximity, sometimes even sharing an address, indicates that factors like school leadership and program design are critical differentiators for student success in this community.
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