Best Public Schools in Torrance, CA

The city of Torrance, California is home to a diverse set of 34 schools, including 20 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 6 high schools. The Torrance Unified School District, which oversees these schools, is highly ranked at 191st out of 1,568 districts in California and rated 4 out of 5 stars by SchoolDigger.

Several standout schools in Torrance demonstrate exceptional academic performance. South High School ranks 110th out of 2,323 California high schools and has a 5-star rating, with a 95.4% four-year graduation rate and 0% dropout rate. West High School also ranks highly at 161st in the state and has a 5-star rating, with a 95.1% graduation rate and low 10.3% chronic absenteeism. At the elementary level, Walteria Elementary stands out, ranking 201st out of 5,862 California elementary schools and earning a 5-star rating with over 70% of students proficient in English and Math.

While many Torrance schools excel, there is some variation in performance, particularly among the elementary schools. Schools like Meyler Street Elementary and Torrance Elementary lag behind their peers in test scores and other metrics. The data suggests a correlation between socioeconomic status and academic performance, with schools serving higher-need populations tending to have lower scores. Overall, the Torrance Unified School District is a high-performing district, but there are opportunities to address disparities and support all students in reaching their full potential.