Best High Schools in Zip Code 90712

This analysis examines two public high schools serving grades 9-12 in zip code 90712, located in Lakewood, California, both of which are part of the Paramount Unified district.

The two schools present a stark contrast in performance despite serving student populations with nearly identical and very high economic need. Odyssey STEM Academy is a clear standout, achieving a 100% graduation rate, a 0% dropout rate, and English proficiency far above state averages, all while ranking in the top 35% of schools statewide. In sharp contrast, Buena Vista High faces significant challenges, ranking in the bottom 10% of schools with much lower graduation and proficiency rates and an extremely high chronic absenteeism rate of over 76%.

This comparison highlights that strong outcomes are possible in high-need areas, as demonstrated by Odyssey STEM's success. A key finding is that higher per-student funding and a lower student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista have not led to better results, suggesting factors like school culture, instructional approach, and student engagement are critical. Both schools, along with the district, show a common pattern of stronger performance in English compared to mathematics.