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

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

#	School	Score	County	Exceeded	Met+	Absent	Susp.
1	Walteria Elementary Torrance Unified High Ceiling	82	Los Angeles	57.6%	82.6%	5.7%	0.7%
2	Anza Elementary Torrance Unified High Ceiling	77	Los Angeles	51.8%	76.8%	7.4%	0.4%
3	Edward J. Richardson Middle Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	77	Los Angeles	46.8%	74.1%	5.5%	1.5%
4	West High Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	76	Los Angeles	41.0%	68.8%	8.9%	1.7%
5	Calle Mayor Middle Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	75	Los Angeles	49.7%	75.9%	9.8%	3.1%
6	South High Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	75	Los Angeles	39.1%	68.3%	12.1%	2.3%
7	Towers Elementary Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	75	Los Angeles	46.4%	76.0%	5.4%	0.4%
8	North High Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	73	Los Angeles	39.5%	69.8%	14.3%	2.3%
9	Torrance High Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	73	Los Angeles	35.7%	65.6%	12.0%	2.0%
10	Riviera Elementary Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	73	Los Angeles	49.4%	72.8%	9.8%	0.4%
11	Bert M. Lynn Middle Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	70	Los Angeles	41.6%	71.2%	5.5%	1.5%
12	Arlington Elementary Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	69	Los Angeles	43.4%	69.4%	5.3%	0.3%
13	Jefferson Middle Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	69	Los Angeles	39.6%	68.2%	6.5%	2.4%
14	Hickory Elementary Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	67	Los Angeles	46.2%	68.8%	8.7%	0.3%
15	Lincoln Elementary Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	67	Los Angeles	47.0%	76.8%	8.8%	0.1%
16	Seaside Elementary Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	65	Los Angeles	48.0%	71.4%	5.3%	0.3%
17	Joseph Arnold Elementary Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	63	Los Angeles	38.6%	65.3%	7.4%	0.1%
18	Madrona Middle Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	61	Los Angeles	29.4%	60.3%	10.5%	0.8%
19	Casimir Middle Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	60	Los Angeles	32.5%	62.5%	4.8%	0.1%
20	Victor Elementary Torrance Unified Strong All-Around	60	Los Angeles	38.2%	65.6%	13.7%	0.6%
21	Van Deene Avenue Elementary Los Angeles Unified Strong All-Around	58	Los Angeles	31.7%	56.7%	17.6%	0.2%
22	Fern Elementary Torrance Unified Culture First	57	Los Angeles	32.1%	56.9%	10.4%	0.3%
23	Evelyn Carr Elementary Torrance Unified Culture First	56	Los Angeles	27.3%	51.8%	11.4%	0.3%
24	Howard Wood Elementary Torrance Unified Culture First	54	Los Angeles	29.6%	52.3%	8.1%	0.1%
25	Edison Elementary Torrance Unified Culture First	54	Los Angeles	27.5%	52.0%	6.0%	0.3%
26	Halldale Elementary Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum	53	Los Angeles	30.1%	53.4%	20.2%	0.1%
27	John Adams Elementary Torrance Unified Building Momentum	52	Los Angeles	30.1%	54.5%	15.2%	0.1%
28	Philip Magruder Middle Torrance Unified Building Momentum	50	Los Angeles	23.9%	49.0%	13.6%	2.2%
29	Yukon Elementary Torrance Unified Culture First	49	Los Angeles	28.1%	52.5%	11.5%	0.4%
30	Torrance Elementary Torrance Unified Building Momentum	47	Los Angeles	22.9%	50.8%	15.2%	1.0%
31	J. H. Hull Middle Torrance Unified Building Momentum	44	Los Angeles	20.4%	46.5%	15.8%	6.6%
32	Meyler Street Elementary Los Angeles Unified Building Momentum	34	Los Angeles	11.7%	32.5%	21.7%	0.1%
33	Shery (Kurt T.) High (Continuation) Torrance Unified Building Momentum	12	Los Angeles	0.0%	4.1%	60.1%	6.2%

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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