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Paramount Unified

Below Average2024–25 data18 schools · avg 36.9/100

Paramount Unified has 18 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 36.9/100 — 6.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Odyssey STEM Academy at 65/100, where 21.6% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $15,272 per student (above the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 24.3%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
36.9
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
44.1
20.9 – 65.0
Avg Exceeded %
12.5%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
24.3%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
18
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
Elementary35.01113.6%21.6%
Middle35.7410.2%23.5%
High45.4311.8%35.4%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Paramount Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
35.0
avg score · 11 schools
+8 more elementary schools
Middle
35.7
avg score · 4 schools
High
45.4
avg score · 3 schools

District Analysis

Strongest level: Paramount Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 45.4.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -6.9pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 44.1 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 24.3%, 6.2pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 1.7%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Odyssey STEM Academy leads the district at 65 with 21.6% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Paramount Unified

5 On the Rise1 Culture First12 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 5 schools in Paramount Unified are classified as On the Rise (5) — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

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

Student demographics

Hispanic
87.7%
White
0.9%
Asian
0.9%
Black
8.3%
Other
2.3%
Free/Reduced Lunch
95%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Paramount Unified spends $15,272 per student in current expenditures — $458 above the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$15,272
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
13,761
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 25.7%
$12,153 → $15,272
Spending Efficiency
2.42
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 60%Support 37%Other 3%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$73,292–$138,335
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
684
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (11)

Paramount Unified has 11 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 35.0 — 8.7 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -6.9pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Abraham Lincoln with a Scope Score of 42 and 20.9% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+GrowthAbsentSusp.
1Abraham Lincoln
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
4220.9%47.3%-16.5pp20.0%0.7%
2Los Cerritos
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
4114.0%43.6%-17.7pp18.2%0.7%
3Howard Tanner
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
3813.4%35.6%-3.7pp25.3%0.3%
4Jefferson Elementary
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
3716.5%39.5%-15.4pp19.9%0.4%
5Wesley Gaines
Paramount Unified On the Rise
3715.1%40.4%+5.3pp21.8%0.5%
6Harry Wirtz Elementary
Paramount Unified Culture First
3614.6%30.4%+1.2pp12.4%0.8%
7Mark Keppel
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
3411.8%30.1%-3.6pp20.4%0.1%
8Theodore Roosevelt
Paramount Unified On the Rise
3411.1%26.8%+6.5pp23.6%2.2%
9Hollydale
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
3312.6%36.5%-1.9pp24.1%0.3%
10Major Lynn Mokler
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
3110.6%26.6%-15.5pp21.0%1.5%
11Captain Raymond Collins
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
239.0%23.8%-14.7pp30.9%3.6%

Middle Schools (4)

Paramount Unified has 4 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 35.7 — 4.8 points below the state average of 40.5.

District-wide growth averages +6.8pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring middle school is Paramount Park Middle with a Scope Score of 37 and 9.6% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+GrowthAbsentSusp.
1Paramount Park Middle
Paramount Unified On the Rise
379.6%32.8%+11.3pp22.9%4.1%
2Frank J. Zamboni
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
3611.5%33.6%+2.3pp19.0%3.3%
3Alondra Middle
Paramount Unified On the Rise
3510.4%35.4%+8.4pp25.5%1.1%
4Leona Jackson
Paramount Unified On the Rise
359.3%32.6%+5.2pp26.7%2.9%

High Schools (3)

Paramount Unified has 3 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 45.4 — 2.0 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Odyssey STEM Academy with a Scope Score of 65 and 21.6% exceeding standard.

#SchoolScoreExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1Odyssey STEM Academy
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
6521.6%44.3%15.5%2.5%
2Paramount High
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
5012.2%37.1%20.2%3.3%
3Buena Vista High
Paramount Unified Building Momentum
211.6%7.9%70.7%2.9%

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.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Paramount Unified

  • 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 resources are distributed across schools within the district

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Paramount Unified a good school district?
Paramount Unified has 18 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 36.9/100, which is 6.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. 12.5% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in Paramount Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Paramount Unified is Odyssey STEM Academy with a Scope Score of 65/100 and 21.6% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Paramount Unified spend per student?
Paramount Unified spends $15,272 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in Paramount Unified?
Teacher salaries in Paramount Unified range from $73,292–$138,335 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
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-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.