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Elementary Schools in Torrance, California

Above Average2024–25 data33 schools · avg 61.4/100

Torrance, California has 33 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 61.4/100 — 17.7 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Walteria Elementary at 82/100, where 57.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Torrance schools average 35.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 33 schools, 2 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 11.9% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
61.4
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
69.3
12.4 – 81.7
Avg Exceeded %
35.7%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
11.9%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
33
With Scope Scores

How Torrance schools compare

Torrance's 33 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 61.4 — 17.7 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 12.4 to 81.7, a 69.3-point spread.

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

High-ceiling schools: Torrance schools average 35.7% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just getting students to proficiency, they're pushing them further.

Chronic absenteeism in Torrance averages 11.9%, which is above 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 Torrance

19 Strong All-Around5 Culture First2 High Ceiling7 Building Momentum

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

Schools in Torrance ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Walteria Elementary
Torrance Unified High Ceiling
57.6%Strong
82/100
2Anza Elementary
Torrance Unified High Ceiling
51.8%Strong
77/100
3Edward J. Richardson Middle
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
46.8%Strong
77/100
4West High
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
41.0%Strong
76/100
5Calle Mayor Middle
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
49.7%Strong
75/100
6South High
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
39.1%Strong
75/100
7Towers Elementary
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
46.4%Strong
75/100
8North High
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
39.5%Strong
73/100
9Torrance High
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
35.7%Strong
73/100
10Riviera Elementary
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
49.4%Strong
73/100
11Bert M. Lynn Middle
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
41.6%Solid
70/100
12Arlington Elementary
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
43.4%Solid
69/100
13Jefferson Middle
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
39.6%Solid
69/100
14Hickory Elementary
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
46.2%Solid
67/100
15Lincoln Elementary
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
47.0%Solid
67/100
16Seaside Elementary
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
48.0%Solid
65/100
17Joseph Arnold Elementary
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
38.6%Solid
63/100
18Madrona Middle
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
29.4%Solid
61/100
19Casimir Middle
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
32.5%Solid
60/100
20Victor Elementary
Torrance Unified Strong All-Around
38.2%Solid
60/100
21Van Deene Avenue Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Strong All-Around
31.7%Solid
58/100
22Fern Elementary
Torrance Unified Culture First
32.1%Solid
57/100
23Evelyn Carr Elementary
Torrance Unified Culture First
27.3%Solid
56/100
24Howard Wood Elementary
Torrance Unified Culture First
29.6%Solid
54/100
25Edison Elementary
Torrance Unified Culture First
27.5%Solid
54/100
26Halldale Elementary
Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum
30.1%Solid
53/100
27John Adams Elementary
Torrance Unified Building Momentum
30.1%Solid
52/100
28Philip Magruder Middle
Torrance Unified Building Momentum
23.9%Developing
50/100
29Yukon Elementary
Torrance Unified Culture First
28.1%Developing
49/100
30Torrance Elementary
Torrance Unified Building Momentum
22.9%Developing
47/100

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 Torrance

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.

Bishop Montgomery High
Roman Catholic · Grades 9-12 · 846 students
16:1Private
St. Catherine Laboure School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 369 students
15:1Private
First Lutheran School
Islamic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 307 students
14:1Private
St. James Elementary School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 244 students
17:1Private
Nativity School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 241 students
20:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Torrance

  • 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 33 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 61.4/100, which is 17.7 points above the California state average of 43.8. 35.7% 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 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 61.4 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (17.7 points above). The exceeded rate averages 35.7% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 11.9% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 12.4 to 81.7, a 69.3-point spread.
How many schools are in Torrance?
Torrance has 33 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.

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