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Schools in 90249 — Gardena, California

90249 has 3 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 52.8 — 9.0 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 33.5 to 66.1, a 32.6-point spread.

Avg Scope Score
52.8
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
32.6
33.5 – 66.1
Avg Exceeded %
29.7%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
16.6%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
3
With Scope Scores

How 90249 schools perform

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

High-ceiling zip code: Schools here average 29.7% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just meeting proficiency; they're pushing students beyond it.

Chronic absenteeism across 90249 averages 16.6%, near the state average of 18.1%.

How 90249 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 90249
90249Gardena352.8
90248Gardena335.8-17.0
90250Hawthorne1741.8-10.9
90247Gardena641.6-11.1
90245El Segundo476.0+23.2
90255Huntington Park1740.6-12.2

School archetypes in 90249

1 Strong All-Around1 Growth Engine1 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 1 school in 90249 is classified as Growth Engine — 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

All schools in 90249

#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 Growth Engine
59Los Angeles34.2%59.6%16.0%0.1%
3Purche Avenue Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
33Los Angeles13.6%28.7%24.1%0.3%

Schools in 90249 on the map

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 90249

  • 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 3 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 52.8/100, which is 9.0 points above the California state average of 43.8. 29.7% 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 52.8 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (9.0 points above). The exceeded rate averages 29.7% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.6% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 33.5 to 66.1, a 32.6-point spread.
How many schools are in Gardena?
Gardena has 3 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.