ExploreMapCompareBlogSign in

Elementary Schools in Gardena, California

Near Average2024–25 data12 schools · avg 42.9/100

Gardena, California has 12 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 42.9/100 — 0.8 points near the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is One Hundred Fifty-Sixth Street Elementary at 66/100, where 41.3% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Gardena schools average 18.5% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 24.9% (above the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
42.9
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
52.0
14.1 – 66.1
Avg Exceeded %
18.5%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
24.9%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
12
With Scope Scores

How Gardena schools compare

Gardena's 12 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 42.9 — 0.8 points near the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 14.1 to 66.1, a 52.0-point spread.

The top-ranked school is One Hundred Fifty-Sixth Street Elementary with a Scope Score of 66 and 41.3% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Gardena averages 24.9%, which is below the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in Gardena

2 Strong All-Around1 Culture First9 Building Momentum

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

Schools in Gardena ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolScoreCountyExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1One Hundred Fifty-Sixth Street Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Strong All-Around
66Los Angeles41.3%66.4%9.7%0.2%
2Chapman Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Strong All-Around
59Los Angeles34.2%59.6%16.0%0.1%
3Gardena Senior High
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
48Los Angeles13.5%40.4%36.1%0.2%
4Denker Avenue Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
48Los Angeles25.5%46.4%21.2%0.1%
5Amestoy Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
45Los Angeles23.6%47.3%18.6%0.1%
6One Hundred Thirty-Fifth Street Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Culture First
45Los Angeles16.3%35.4%11.1%0.1%
7One Hundred Eighty-Sixth Street Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
45Los Angeles19.5%42.6%24.1%0.3%
8Gardena Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
41Los Angeles11.7%30.1%21.0%0.1%
9One Hundred Fifty-Third Street
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
37Los Angeles12.5%34.8%27.0%0.1%
10Purche Avenue Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
33Los Angeles13.6%28.7%24.1%0.3%
11Robert E. Peary Middle
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
33Los Angeles9.9%26.5%24.0%0.1%
12Moneta Continuation
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
14Los Angeles0.0%10.4%65.5%1.6%

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

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Gardena good?
Gardena's 12 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 42.9/100, which is 0.8 points near the California state average of 43.8. 18.5% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). 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 66/100 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 42.9 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (0.8 points near). The exceeded rate averages 18.5% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 24.9% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 14.1 to 66.1, a 52.0-point spread.
How many schools are in Gardena?
Gardena has 12 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 six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner 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.

Related

All California SchoolsTop Schools in GardenaLos Angeles Unified

Plus 85 licensed preschools. Browse preschools in Gardena →

← Explore all schools