Best Public Schools in Zip Code 90650

Zip code 90650 in Norwalk, California, is served by 21 public schools across two districts—Norwalk-La Mirada Unified and Little Lake City Elementary—educating about 11,500 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in a community with high economic need.

When comparing schools, a clear pattern emerges: all six schools in the Little Lake City Elementary district have earned 4-star ratings, showing consistent strength, while performance in the larger Norwalk-La Mirada Unified district is more mixed. Standout schools include Julia B. Morrison Elementary for its exceptional math scores, Lakeside Middle for strong English and science, and Norwalk High for its impressive 96.7% graduation rate. On the other hand, schools like Nettie L. Waite Middle and Thomas B. Moffitt Elementary are identified as needing more support, ranking in the lower percentiles statewide.

Key insights for parents include that higher per-student spending doesn't always guarantee better academic results, and chronic absenteeism is a challenge in some schools. Science scores are typically the weakest subject area across all grade levels. Despite these challenges, the high schools achieve graduation rates well above the state average, demonstrating a strong commitment to student success. The analysis suggests there are significant opportunities for schools to learn from each other's effective practices, particularly in math instruction and maintaining student engagement through the middle school years.