South Pasadena Senior High

Summary:

South Pasadena Senior High is a public high school serving grades 9-12 in the highly-ranked South Pasadena Unified School District, which is ranked 25th out of 1,568 districts in California and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

South Pasadena Senior High has consistently been ranked among the top high schools in California, with a statewide ranking between 45th and 128th over the past decade. The school's students consistently outperform state and district averages in standardized assessments, with 86.65% of 11th-graders proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy and 66.12% proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to 55.73% and 27.9% statewide, respectively. South Pasadena Senior High also maintains an exceptionally high four-year graduation rate, ranging from 92.4% to 98.6% over the past five years, and a low dropout rate of 0.6% to 3.4%.

While South Pasadena Senior High stands out as an exceptional school, some nearby schools, such as San Gabriel High and Alhambra High, also perform well and are ranked in the top 500 high schools in California. However, other nearby schools, such as Options for Youth San Gabriel, Academia Avance Charter, and Highland Park Continuation, have significantly lower academic performance, graduation rates, and higher dropout and chronic absenteeism rates.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 1401 Fremont Ave.
       South Pasadena, CA  91030-3809


(626) 441-5820

District: South Pasadena Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
53rd of 2,323 California High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,830 Help


Feeder schools for South Pasadena Senior High:

Elementary:    Arroyo Vista Elementary
    Marengo Elementary
    Monterey Hills Elementary
Middle:    South Pasadena Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  24.3 Help
Number of students:  1,477

Racial breakdown:

Asian:
32.1%
White:
25.4%
Hispanic:
25.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  15.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details South Pasadena Senior High ranks better than 97.7% of high schools in California. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 96.7. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at South Pasadena Senior High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at South Pasadena Senior High is diverse. Racial makeup is: Asian (32.1%), White (25.4%), Hispanic (25.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 15.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South Pasadena Senior High is 24.3. (See more...)
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Compare South Pasadena Senior High employs 60.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Pasadena Senior High is $10,830.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

South Pasadena Senior High:

SchoolDigger ranks South Pasadena Senior High 53rd of 2323 California public high schools. (See South Pasadena Senior High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


South Pasadena Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks South Pasadena Unified 25th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for South Pasadena Senior High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at South Pasadena Senior High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 74.21 128th 1653 92.3%
2005 82.41 70th 1901 96.3%
2006 91.82 19th 1968 99.0%
2007 92.38 17th 2063 99.2%
2008 86.39 51st 2117 97.6%
2009 82.48 81st 2238 96.4%
2010 84.87 78th 2281 96.6%
2011 86.32 64th 2367 97.3%
2012 86.19 65th 2354 97.2%
2013 82.95 104th 2426 95.7%
2015 92.85 128th 1994 93.6%
2016 93.66 105th 2039 94.9%
2017 93.49 117th 2021 94.2%
2018 94.52 98th 2017 95.1%
2019 97.61 45th 2133 97.9%
2022 96.06 92nd 2123 95.7%
2023 96.89 55th 2348 97.7%
2024 96.70 53rd 2323 97.7%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at South Pasadena Senior High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.34 126th 366 65.6%
2019 88.43 27th 422 93.6%
2022 77.37 96th 515 81.4%
2023 81.32 93rd 786 88.2%
2024 84.70 66th 804 91.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at South Pasadena Senior High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 85.56 82nd 1547 94.7%
2024 93.40 34th 1534 97.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at South Pasadena Senior High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.95 208th 1862 88.8%
2019 97.56 41st 1937 97.9%
2022 90.38 145th 1943 92.5%
2023 93.45 104th 2247 95.4%
2024 96.70 47th 2235 97.9%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at South Pasadena Senior High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 90.80 141st 1760 92.0%
2019 97.25 37th 1833 98.0%
2022 94.18 106th 1858 94.3%
2023 96.86 43rd 2118 98.0%
2024 95.24 57th 2098 97.3%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at South Pasadena Senior High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 96.03 52nd 1052 95.1%
2019 94.91 47th 1117 95.8%
2022 88.71 84th 1161 92.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at South Pasadena Senior High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 96.08 74th 1834 96.0%
2019 96.66 64th 1880 96.6%
2022 96.44 77th 1916 96.0%
2023 96.50 63rd 2207 97.1%
2024 97.04 60th 2172 97.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at South Pasadena Senior High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 80.88 104th 581 82.1%
2019 80.79 89th 582 84.7%
2022 80.36 105th 581 81.9%
2023 85.54 57th 731 92.2%
2024 83.00 82nd 712 88.5%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at South Pasadena Senior High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.95 196th 1742 88.7%
2019 96.44 47th 1814 97.4%
2022 92.25 102nd 1861 94.5%
2023 94.41 74th 2142 96.5%
2024 92.76 75th 2125 96.5%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at South Pasadena Senior High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.89 73rd 1173 93.8%
2019 92.80 53rd 1222 95.7%
2022 88.30 99th 1204 91.8%
2023 92.10 49th 1434 96.6%
2024 92.73 38th 1406 97.3%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

South Pasadena Senior High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: California Department of Education

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Enrollment information for South Pasadena Senior High

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 699 47 466 159 4 n/a n/a 0 1375
1989 593 41 473 179 5 n/a n/a 0 1291
1990 536 39 428 211 3 n/a n/a 0 1217
1991 490 40 428 236 4 n/a n/a 0 1198
1992 493 43 449 233 3 n/a n/a 0 1221
1993 471 59 477 241 2 n/a n/a 0 1250
1994 473 64 511 252 5 n/a n/a 0 1305
1995 497 55 510 239 3 n/a n/a 0 1304
1996 497 55 510 239 3 n/a n/a 0 1304
1997 476 66 534 271 6 n/a n/a 0 1353
1998 494 56 512 243 7 n/a n/a 0 1312
1999 487 55 518 229 6 n/a n/a 17 1312
2000 489 70 543 237 29 n/a n/a 6 1374
2001 479 63 521 234 4 n/a n/a 36 1337
2002 462 56 576 251 0 n/a n/a 53 1398
2003 462 56 576 251 0 n/a n/a 53 1398
2004 465 56 609 222 0 n/a n/a 129 1481
2005 488 56 604 241 0 n/a n/a 127 1516
2006 525 53 602 264 0 n/a n/a 106 1550
2007 521 53 609 267 1 n/a n/a 100 1551
2008 539 53 582 267 2 n/a n/a 0 1443
2009 506 39 601 262 5 3 92 0 1508
2010 538 44 642 277 10 6 1 0 1518
2011 513 52 631 306 6 5 12 0 1525
2012 484 51 638 352 5 5 27 0 1562
2013 480 50 608 358 7 2 31 0 1536
2014 455 46 612 368 5 2 37 0 1525
2015 443 37 626 369 8 1 49 0 1533
2016 446 39 595 378 8 2 60 0 1528
2017 409 33 590 367 6 2 79 0 1486
2018 416 32 563 386 6 3 86 0 1492
2019 391 25 544 375 2 3 106 0 1446
2020 401 25 505 365 1 1 129 0 1427
2021 401 24 497 362 1 0 165 1 1451
2022 380 20 483 374 0 1 189 3 1450
2023 375 22 474 371 1 1 228 5 1477

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at South Pasadena Senior High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1375 55.6 24.7 n/a
1989 1291 55.7 23.1 n/a
1990 1217 54.9 22.1 n/a
1991 1198 49.9 24.0 n/a
1992 1221 50.7 24.0 7.5
1993 1250 52.5 23.8 7.8
1994 1305 53.3 24.5 8.1
1995 1304 53.0 24.6 10.6
1996 1304 53.0 24.6 10.6
1997 1353 56.1 24.1 10.2
1998 1312 54.3 24.2 9.2
1999 1312 51.6 25.4 8.8
2000 1374 55.2 24.9 7.7
2001 1337 55.9 23.9 7.4
2002 1398 56.1 24.9 7.4
2003 1398 56.1 24.9 7.4
2004 1481 56.4 26.3 6.2
2005 1516 59.9 25.3 8.1
2006 1550 57.7 26.9 9.2
2007 1551 54.5 28.5 9
2008 1443 73.5 19.6 9.6
2009 1508 62.5 20.4 8.8
2010 1518 58.2 26.0 9.6
2011 1525 n/a n/a 12.5
2012 1562 56.3 27.7 n/a
2013 1536 58.5 26.2 15.3
2014 1525 68.0 22.4 19
2015 1533 70.0 21.9 17.2
2016 1528 68.0 22.4 15.4
2017 1486 66.8 22.2 15.3
2018 1492 64.4 23.1 22
2019 1446 64.3 22.4 20.3
2020 1427 n/a n/a 19.6
2021 1451 60.3 24.0 18
2022 1450 59.2 24.4 13.6
2023 1477 60.6 24.3 15.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio South Pasadena Senior High

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1375 55.6 24.7 n/a
1989 1291 55.7 23.1 n/a
1990 1217 54.9 22.1 n/a
1991 1198 49.9 24.0 n/a
1992 1221 50.7 24.0 7.5
1993 1250 52.5 23.8 7.8
1994 1305 53.3 24.5 8.1
1995 1304 53.0 24.6 10.6
1996 1304 53.0 24.6 10.6
1997 1353 56.1 24.1 10.2
1998 1312 54.3 24.2 9.2
1999 1312 51.6 25.4 8.8
2000 1374 55.2 24.9 7.7
2001 1337 55.9 23.9 7.4
2002 1398 56.1 24.9 7.4
2003 1398 56.1 24.9 7.4
2004 1481 56.4 26.3 6.2
2005 1516 59.9 25.3 8.1
2006 1550 57.7 26.9 9.2
2007 1551 54.5 28.5 9
2008 1443 73.5 19.6 9.6
2009 1508 62.5 20.4 8.8
2010 1518 58.2 26.0 9.6
2011 1525 n/a n/a 12.5
2012 1562 56.3 27.7 n/a
2013 1536 58.5 26.2 15.3
2014 1525 68.0 22.4 19
2015 1533 70.0 21.9 17.2
2016 1528 68.0 22.4 15.4
2017 1486 66.8 22.2 15.3
2018 1492 64.4 23.1 22
2019 1446 64.3 22.4 20.3
2020 1427 n/a n/a 19.6
2021 1451 60.3 24.0 18
2022 1450 59.2 24.4 13.6
2023 1477 60.6 24.3 15.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for South Pasadena Senior High

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $10,830

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on South Pasadena Senior High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 45th of 2133 High schoolsRanks 55th of 2348 High schools
 0.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (South Pasadena Senior High)85.383.6
 1.7%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (South Pasadena Unified)85.383.3
 1.9%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)57.355.4
 1.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (South Pasadena Senior High)68.666
 2.6%
   11th Grade Mathematics (South Pasadena Unified)68.665.6
 3%
   11th Grade Mathematics (California)32.227.4
 4.9%
11th Grade Science (South Pasadena Senior High)63.370.4
 7.1%
   11th Grade Science (South Pasadena Unified)63.370.4
 7.1%
   11th Grade Science (California)30.431.7
 1.3%
12th Grade Science (South Pasadena Senior High)54.347.5
 6.8%
   12th Grade Science (South Pasadena Unified)54.347.3
 7%
   12th Grade Science (California)25.626.8
 1.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students14461477
 2.1%
African American2522
 12%
American Indian21
 50%
Asian544474
 12.9%
Hispanic375371
 1.1%
Pacific Islander31
 66.7%
White391375
 4.1%
Two or More Races106228
 115.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients20.3%15.6%
 4.6%


Schools Near South Pasadena Senior High









Frequently Asked Questions about South Pasadena Senior High

South Pasadena Senior High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Arroyo Vista Elementary
Elementary : Marengo Elementary
Elementary : Monterey Hills Elementary
Middle : South Pasadena Middle

Yes! South Pasadena Senior High is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 53rd of 2323 California high schools.

Students at South Pasadena Senior High are 32% Asian, 25% White, 25% Hispanic, 15% Two or more races, 1% African American.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,477 students attended South Pasadena Senior High.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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