Best High Schools in Zip Code 90033

This analysis examines five public high schools serving grades 9-12 in the 90033 zip code of Los Angeles, all part of the Los Angeles Unified district, which reveal a distinct performance gap between specialized magnet programs and traditional comprehensive schools.

The standout schools are the selective magnet programs: the Math Science & Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High and Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High, both with near-perfect graduation rates, low absenteeism, and the highest test scores and statewide rankings. In contrast, the traditional Theodore Roosevelt Senior High and Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High face greater challenges with lower graduation, higher dropout rates, and significantly higher chronic absenteeism, despite Mendez High having the most resources among non-magnet schools. Boyle Heights Continuation serves a small, at-risk population with the most intensive support and costs but the weakest outcomes.

Key takeaways for parents are that school model matters greatly, with magnet schools demonstrating consistently stronger results. Chronic absenteeism is a major challenge correlated with poorer performance in the traditional schools. Notably, higher per-student spending does not automatically lead to better outcomes, as seen at Mendez High, suggesting how resources are used is critical. There is also a significant gap in science proficiency, with magnet students far outperforming their peers in traditional programs.