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Elementary Schools in Gardena, California: Gardena schools average 2.6 points above the state — but the range is 33.7 points wide.

Near Average2024–25 data9 schools · avg 45.9/100

Gardena, California has 9 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 45.9/100 — 2.6 points above the state average of 43.2. The highest-scoring school is One Hundred Fifty-Sixth Street Elementary at 65/100, where 41.3% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Gardena schools average 22.0% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 19.2% (near the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
45.9
State avg: 43.2
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
33.7
31.3 – 65.0
Avg Exceeded %
22.0%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
19.2%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
9
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary9Developing
45.9/100
22.0%+2.6
High4Developing
35.0/100
8.5%-8.7
Middle2Developing
36.1/100
11.2%-4.3

How Gardena schools compare

Gardena has 9 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 45.9/100 — 2.6 points above the state average of 43.2 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is One Hundred Fifty-Sixth Street Elementary with a Scope Score of 65 and 41.3% of students exceeding standard.

These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. Gardena schools average 22.0% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.3%.

Chronic absenteeism in Gardena averages 19.2% — near the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%

School archetypes in Gardena

2 Strong All-Around1 Culture First6 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

For the data nerds

Every school in Gardena

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1One Hundred Fifty-Sixth Street Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Strong All-Around
41.3%Solid
65/100
2Chapman Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Strong All-Around
34.2%Solid
58/100
3Environmental Charter High - Gardena
Los Angeles County Office of Education Building Momentum
15.6%Developing
50/100
4Denker Avenue Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
25.5%Developing
47/100
5Amestoy Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
23.6%Developing
46/100
6One Hundred Thirty-Fifth Street Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Culture First
16.3%Developing
44/100
7Gardena Senior High
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
13.5%Developing
44/100
8One Hundred Eighty-Sixth Street Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
19.5%Developing
44/100
9Gardena Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
11.7%Developing
40/100
10Environmental Charter Middle - Gardena
Los Angeles County Office of Education Building Momentum
12.4%Developing
39/100
11One Hundred Fifty-Third Street
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
12.5%Developing
37/100
12New Millennium Secondary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
5.0%Developing
34/100
13Robert E. Peary Middle
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
9.9%Developing
33/100
14Purche Avenue Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
13.6%Developing
31/100
15Moneta Continuation
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
0.0%Needs Support
13/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 15 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in Gardena

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

Junipero Serra High School
Roman Catholic · Grades 9-12 · 345 students
16:1Private
Maria Regina
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 196 students
16:1Private
Limai Academy
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-8 · 17 students
3:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Gardena

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Gardena good?
Gardena's 9 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 45.9/100, which is 2.6 points above the state average. 22.0% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights seven dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), ELPAC proficiency (5%), suspension rate (5%), and baseline proficiency (3%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Gardena?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Gardena is One Hundred Fifty-Sixth Street Elementary with a Scope Score of 65/100 and 41.3% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Gardena schools compare to the state average?
Gardena elementary schools average a Scope Score of 45.9/100 — 2.6 points above the state average of 43.2. The exceeded rate averages 22.0% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 19.2% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Gardena?
Gardena has 9 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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