2024 Best Public Schools in Los Angeles County

• Long Beach Unified, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  504 reviews

Junior: My experience here at CAMS has been pretty good. Of course there has been ups and downs due to how academically challenging it is, but I have enjoyed my time so far! Some of my best experiences here have been during spirit rally. We were able to take a break from academics and instead focus on the fun aspects that contribute to competing against each other. It brought classes together as a community and even through losses, everyone supported each other. The worst parts would probably have to be around AP testing season due to the fact that we have to balance studying for these tests and class work that has been added on top of all the studying. It is a season with very little sleep. Nonetheless, I am still very grateful to attend this school.... Read 504 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 672

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• William S. Hart Union High, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  244 reviews

Junior: Overall a good school, but it is very niche. To come to this school you have to be willing to give up school sports or school music, which is fine by many including me.... Read 244 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 396

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

• Duarte, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  181 reviews

Parent: Our child is having the best time in high school. The teachers have been magnificent. From the first time we met them during back-to-school-night, we felt how engaging their courses would be. The learning is phenomenal. Kudos to Mr. Woo, Ms. Conley, Mr. Crumley, Mr. Pegan, Ms. Nelson, and Mr. Foyle. The conservatory courses have elevated our kid's artistic skills and we're in awe of the drawings and creations. Kudos to the visual arts conservatory. The administration team is responsive, open to changing things if needed. The counselors are so supportive! Ms. Shiroma excels at her job as counselor and is clearly dedicated to the success of all students. We've enjoyed meeting other families and supporting activities to show our appreciation for the staff. Thank you CSARTS SGV for crafting such a powerful learning experience for students, while welcoming them for who they are, in all their brilliance.... Read 181 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 962

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Los Angeles Unified, CA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  21 reviews

Parent: It is definitely not a school for everyone, but for the kids who want what it offers - lots of highly accelerated STEM, rigorous curriculum in every subject - and don’t miss having music or team sports (in MS) - it's a gem. For a student to do well and enjoy his/her experience at The Science Academy STEM Magnet, they do have to *want* to be there and take school seriously though. The kids whose heart is not in it and would prefer to focus on humanities or arts, and are at the SASM only because of their parents' dreams, can be quite miserable at this school... The teachers are excellent and there is lots of support available for those who need a little extra help. The principal and other admins are nurturing and communicative. PTA is active. Electives are great! Besides (major award-winning!) robotics, engineering and similar, theater and art are also offered, as well as a number of other eclectic options. My HG 6th grader loves this school and is finally in his element.... Read 21 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 467

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Antelope Valley Union High, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  824 reviews

Senior: Being part of Soar High was an enriching journey, providing invaluable support and opportunities for academic and personal growth. The program's dedicated mentors and resources empowered me to excel academically and pursue my aspirations. Collaborating with like-minded peers fostered a sense of community and belonging, enhancing my overall experience. The best parts were the personalized guidance, access to resources, and the supportive network of peers and mentors. However, occasional challenges included navigating through administrative processes and ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all participants. I believe implementing more structured career development initiatives would further enhance the program's effectiveness.... Read 824 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 537

• Student-teacher ratio 30:1

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  678 reviews

Parent: Best part of our experience was the bonds we made with other players and families apart of the baseball program for the past 4 years. Community is strong and parent involvement is a top priority in Palos Verdes. The worst part was watching the athletic program change out coaches every year. Lead to low morale for the athletes and unstable atmosphere for everyone involved. We would like to see more of an investment in time and funds put forth to find coaches ready to lead, motivate, and push the players to strive for greatness on and off the field every day.... Read 678 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,290

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Los Angeles Unified, CA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  68 reviews

Junior: I have been at GALA since 6th Grade (now 11th), I am always challenged academically and feel I have a very strong support system from my teachers, counselors, and friends. I have enjoyed all the STEM focused classes, along with a variety of AP or on level classes that's offered. While students come from all over LAUSD (yay to having bus transportation!), it makes going to school a lot easier for a lot of families and there is definitely a close knit community vibe here at GALA!... Read 68 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 735

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Lake Balboa, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  184 reviews

Senior: My school is extremely small and technology-based. While they offer all subjects and a myriad of student-led clubs, the main focus of the school is STEM, hence the technological focus. The Robotics team is considered the equivalent of the varsity football team, which segues into the fact that my school also lacks sports teams, other than the highly-ranked running team. This proposes some issues, as it's difficult to experience traditional high school events such as football games, large school dances, and more. However, the tight-knit community I've found while attending this school has allowed for close friendships and lasting memories, even if they differ from those of large, populated high schools. Though there have been downsides, I remain grateful for the unique high school experience I've gained in the meantime.... Read 184 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 359

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• ABC Unified School District, CA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  405 reviews

Senior: Overall, my experience at Whitney High School was positive yet varied. The majority of teachers were helpful and supportive, contributing to a solid academic foundation. However, some instructors presented considerable challenges due to their rigorous approach. Additionally, the administration's peculiarities often left me puzzled. Despite occasional difficulties, Whitney High offered a conducive environment for learning and growth. The diversity in teaching styles and administrative quirks provided a comprehensive educational experience, preparing me for the complexities of the real world beyond high school walls.... Read 405 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,010

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Granada Hills, CA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  1,555 reviews

Freshman: Granada Hills Charter is an amazing high school that offers lots of resources that prepare me for the rest of my high school career and future. GHC offers both AP and IB Courses, so this gives me a wide variety of options to choose from. All of my teachers and counselors are all eager to support me whenever I am confused, which makes me always happy to learn. GHC also understands the importance of clubs and academic teams, which are all well funded. I am part of Model UN, and GHC offers enough money for us to attend various conferences including travel conferences to Berkley and New York. Overall, GHC is such an amazing school that offers so many resources without the cost of a private school tuition. The large student body means everyone can find like minded peers and tons of teachers to support us throughout our high school years!... Read 1,555 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 5,869

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Long Beach Unified, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.55 out of 5  42 reviews

Senior: My overall experience with Sato Academy has been amazing. After going to Wilson High School for two years, I realized a large school environment was not the best fit and I began to develop anxiety. So, I decided to transfer to Sato to complete my junior and senior years. This school provided me with one-on-one tutoring, welcoming teachers and students, engaging clubs, and a much more comfortable environment.... Read 42 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 481

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• La Canada Unified School District, CA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  362 reviews

Senior: The safety of the school is pretty good. We just experienced a lockdown due to the school next door had a bomb threat. We followed the protocol and everyone was calmed and disciplined. Teachers are not all kind and knowledgable but some do care about students. Wellness Center we had in our school is the best! Food is also okay but not great. I want to see less DEI initiative because they just waste the taxpayers money. Thank you!... Read 362 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,993

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Arcadia Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  1,130 reviews

Sophomore: Your grades will be very dependent on the teachers you get. A smart student at this school may struggle with a difficult teacher, while someone who puts no effort into school may do better in a subject just because they have an easier teacher. The math and English departments are the most out of tune with each other. Some english teacher are extremely difficult and assign a lot of reading, while some of the english teachers do not even give tests. Same goes with math, many of the teachers are extremely difficult and don't explain well while some of the teachers go through the chapters very slowly and have easy tests.... Read 1,130 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,022

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• South Pasadena Unified, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  460 reviews

Senior: A pretty good school, in terms of academics, college readiness, and graduation rate. Teachers are a mixed bag, and experiences will differ person to person, but I find that the best teachers are often for the AP or honors classes, leaving student who don't take advanced courses behind in that respect. To add, there isn't the widest variety of AP classes. The school's culture of academics can be overbearing, and many students take their grades pretty seriously. Due to being in a small city and being in a small school, friend groups can become more like cliques. There's a good amount of opportunities available when it comes to extracurriculars and interests. In terms of mental health resources, students may have to seek it out themselves, and a lot of what I've seen is student lead, not by administration or staff. Even so, there's a pretty fun school culture involving spirit days and events.... Read 460 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,477

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Los Angeles Unified, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  285 reviews

Sophomore: I would like to see a greater support of the music and art department in my high school. Just this year an art class was added to the extracurriculars, and the only musically inclined haven for my fellow peers is found within student-made clubs like our MeloJam or the Monarch Orchestra. Although I can see the leadership and love behind the students running these clubs on fundraisers, our school needs to recognize their hard work and finally create and official class or school band for them. They deserve to be applauded, not just by fellow students, but by others around my community.... Read 285 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 449

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• El Segundo, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  311 reviews

Sophomore: Though some aspects of the school can be rigorous, it successfully challenges students and prepares them for higher education.... Read 311 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 560

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• William S. Hart Union High, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  698 reviews

Parent: Rigor, Rigor is the theme of West Ranch High School. Excellent teachers, administrators are extremely supportive of the students and very helpful with reaching out to the parents.... Read 698 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,865

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Marino Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  283 reviews

Senior: As someone who has been attending the school for 4 years, I can confidently say that I have only seen positive changes in the environment. The staff is lively and welcoming, parental involvement is relatively high, and there are a wide variety of resources and opportunities for students to participate in. Although, the school has a small population, which doesn't lead to much diversity, it creates a close knit community for students to interact with each other through clubs, sports, and a thriving VAPA department. The school also provides a challenging curriculum that more than prepares students for college, which is a rare and beneficial trait that not many school possess. A change I would like to see is more student involvement in school decisions. Ultimately, majority of the decisions made by administration are to serve the students, which means it also impacts them. More student involvement in how decisions are made will cater to student needs in a more effective manner.... Read 283 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 806

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Los Angeles Unified, CA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  455 reviews

Junior: The school is predominantly filled with middle-class people and the facilities are a little dirty, however, the academics make up for it since we offer 26 AP classes and have around 70 student-run clubs which can allow you to learn about different subjects and engage. We also offer sports however we aren't really known for them.... Read 455 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,388

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Los Angeles Unified, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  382 reviews

Senior: The teachers are incredible, I've never had a bad experience with any teachers I've had, they all care about their jobs and the students. The faculty adores the students and looks out for them. It is a very diverse school and very academically rigorous however, this is not a school-spirited or sporty school, the students care very much about their academics and those two fall a bit short. There is a wide selection of sports and school spirit to some extent, but those definitely aren't the driving reasons why someone would want to attend Downtown Magnets High School. We have very dedicated counselors who want the best for their students and I believe that the college counselors work very hard to ensure that students are well-informed on their options after high school. Overall, DMHS is academically rigorous and creates an environment that I thoroughly enjoy being in.... Read 382 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 861

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Manhattan Beach Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  608 reviews

Junior: The best apart of being here in Mira Costa is the education and the social life that i have here, because this high school provides great learning experience and great skills to be ready for college. The social life here is grand has you can be apart of many groups at once and talk to many great people here to will become life time friends. The worst parts in Mira Costa is the lack of diversity which for me feels strange because i am use to seeing more diversity in my old schools but i still have a few friends from different walks of life. The changes i would love to see in Mira Costa can be with just trying to improve school life, make important change towards to have students focus in classes, make campus life feel more great, and finally add more events that can be impactful.... Read 608 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,497

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Glendale Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  664 reviews

Senior: CVHS is more than just a school—it's a community of learners, explorers, and achievers! First off, CVHS isn't just about textbooks and lectures. Sure, we have those too, but our teachers bring learning to life with interactive lessons, debates, and even hands-on projects. From dissecting frogs in biology to creating our own short stories in English class, every day is a new adventure in learning. But it's not all about hitting the books. CVHS knows how to have fun too! From sports teams that dominate the competition to clubs for every interest under the sun. Whether you're into robotics, drama, or environmental activism, there's a place for you to shine at CVHS. Walking through the halls of CVHS feels like being part of one big family. Teachers know you by name, classmates cheer you on, and there's always someone ready to lend a helping hand. In conclusion, Crescenta Valley High School isn't just a place to learn—it's a place to grow, explore, and thrive.... Read 664 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,488

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Walnut Valley Unified, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  648 reviews

Senior: Located in Southern California, my school is quite competitive because of the student composition here. Thus education quality is one of the most recognized strengths here. Apart from the abundance of programs, teachers corresponding to these are also engaging and easy to approach. The overall learning experience is satisfying for students of any goals or interests with the addition of a variety of specialty classes, for example graphic design and ceramics. While many opportunities are provided, the worst part is not getting to engage with every student in my school as there are bubbles of different academic inclinations and ethnicity who never cross roads. In higher-level courses, classmates are rarely diverse in race and perspective, which causes a monotonic opinion and experience hindering progressive discussions. Personally, my cybersecurity class consists of mostly Asian males. I would love to see prerequisites to some classes removed in order to make them available to everyone.... Read 648 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,158

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Redondo Beach Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  707 reviews

Senior: Redondo Union High School has an abundance of resources compared to most schools. They offer 4 different career pathway electives you can take throughout high school such as biomedical sciences, business, computer science and engineering. The programs prepare students who wish to pursue a career in any of these fields. In addition, once a student becomes a junior they work one on one with a college counselor who will help them throughout the application process. Besides resources, the school has a rich social scene. The school gets a lot of funding so they go all out for football games, senior events, formal and homecoming. In addition, there are a wide variety of clubs a student can get involved in from volunteer, activism, recreational, and more. There are also over 3000 students attending the high school so there are ample opportunities to meet new people and interact with others.... Read 707 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,005

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• Long Beach Unified, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,109 reviews

Senior: The community at LB Polytechnic is very welcoming and inviting. Every student can find inclusivity and make new friends. The school events like football games, faires, and concerts bring everyone at Poly together and provide an atmosphere that will be missed as I go off to college next year. I can still remember the loud cheering that occurred at these football games. Everyone was united and showing off their school spirit for the students on the field who put their all into their games. The diversity at Poly plays a major impact in the community at Poly. The staff focuses on people's different cultures and backgrounds and that affects how students view others and the world around them. The school gave me many opportunities to learn more. The only bad aspect of Poly is the cleanliness of bathrooms. Everyone uses the restrooms, but when you enter a stall and it doesn't have the necessities like toilet paper or seat covers, it ruins the whole experience. That could be changed easily.... Read 1,109 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,952

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1