Best High Schools in Zip Code 90650

This analysis covers two public high schools, Norwalk High and John H. Glenn High, serving grades 9-12 in zip code 90650 (Norwalk, CA) within the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified district.

Comparing the two, Norwalk High is the higher-performing school, ranking in the 65th percentile statewide with a 96.7% graduation rate and notably strong English proficiency at 61.6%, outperforming both the district and state. John H. Glenn High has shown impressive recent improvement, jumping to the 45th percentile, and offers smaller class sizes with a lower student-teacher ratio of 18.4. However, a striking finding is that Glenn High receives over $28,000 in funding per student—about 52% more than Norwalk High—despite lagging behind in academic proficiency and having higher rates of chronic absenteeism and dropout.

Both schools share similar student demographics and face common challenges, including math scores below state averages and chronic absenteeism rates above 23%. The significant performance difference despite similar student populations suggests factors like school culture or program effectiveness are key. For parents, this area offers a clear higher-achieving option in Norwalk High, while Glenn High represents a smaller, well-funded school on a rapid upward trajectory, indicating both schools are actively working to support student success.