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Schools in 90505 — Torrance, California

90505 has 8 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 72.1 — 28.4 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 63.5 to 81.7, a 18.2-point spread. 5 schools rank in the 90th percentile or above statewide.

Avg Scope Score
72.1
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
18.2
63.5 – 81.7
Avg Exceeded %
46.9%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
8.0%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
8
With Scope Scores

How 90505 schools perform

The top-ranked school is Walteria Elementary with a Scope Score of 82 and 57.6% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling zip code: Schools here average 46.9% 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 90505 averages 8.0%, above the state average of 18.1%.

How 90505 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 90505
90505Torrance872.1
90504Torrance859.7-12.4
90503Torrance868.0-4.1
90501Torrance748.1-24.0

School archetypes in 90505

2 Growth Engine2 Strong All-Around1 High Ceiling1 Solid Base2 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 2 schools in 90505 are classified as Growth Engine (2) — 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 90505

#SchoolScoreCountyExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1Walteria Elementary
Torrance Unified High Ceiling
82Los Angeles57.6%82.6%5.7%0.7%
2Edward J. Richardson Middle
Torrance Unified Growth Engine
77Los Angeles46.8%74.1%5.5%1.5%
3Calle Mayor Middle
Torrance Unified Building Momentum
75Los Angeles49.7%75.9%9.8%3.1%
4South High
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
75Los Angeles39.1%68.3%12.1%2.3%
5Riviera Elementary
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
73Los Angeles49.4%72.8%9.8%0.4%
6Hickory Elementary
Torrance Unified Building Momentum
67Los Angeles46.2%68.8%8.7%0.3%
7Seaside Elementary
Torrance Unified Solid Base
65Los Angeles48.0%71.4%5.3%0.3%
8Joseph Arnold Elementary
Torrance Unified Growth Engine
63Los Angeles38.6%65.3%7.4%0.1%

Schools in 90505 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 90505

  • 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 Torrance good?
Torrance's 8 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 72.1/100, which is 28.4 points above the California state average of 43.8. 46.9% 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 Torrance?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Torrance is Walteria Elementary with a Scope Score of 82/100 and 57.6% 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 Torrance schools compare to the state average?
Torrance elementary schools average a Scope Score of 72.1 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (28.4 points above). The exceeded rate averages 46.9% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 8.0% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 63.5 to 81.7, a 18.2-point spread.
How many schools are in Torrance?
Torrance has 8 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.