Best Schools in Gardena, California
23 schools · 14 Elementary · 2 Middle · 7 High
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $80,183
- Median home value
- $665,767
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 54%
61% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Gardena compares
California rank
#170 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$80k
80% of California median
Schools in this city
18
About Schools in Gardena, California
Gardena, California is home to 23 schools, including 16 public schools and 7 private schools. The city's schools span 14 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 7 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Gardena show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Gardena is Chapman Elementary with a composite score of 9.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Gardena is served by 5 school districts. These districts collectively serve 420,937 students.
Gardena's community shows 29% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $80,183. The poverty rate in the area is 10.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
14 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 375 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.4 | ||
| 2 | 671 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 3 | 593 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 4 | 359 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.5 | ||
| 5 | 371 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 6 | 379 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 7 | 619 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 8 | 463 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 9 | 668 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 10 | 164 students · Kindergarten–8th | 2.2 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | MARIA REGINA
Private
196 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Maria Regina
Private
242 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | St. Anthony of Padua
Private
249 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | LIMAI ACADEMY
Private
17 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,119 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 360 students · 6th–8th | 6.9 |
High Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 339 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 145 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | 1,407 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 4 | 49 students · 9th–12th | 4.3 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL
Private
345 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 130 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Jennifer Kelley
Private
34 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Gardena
Gardena, California · 23 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$80,183
Median Home Value
$665,767
Median Rent
$1,686/mo
Population
84,414
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
54%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Community Profile
Gardena has a median household income of $80,183. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $665,767, with a median rent of $1,686/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 23
- Elementary
- 14
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 7
- Districts
- 5
- Avg Rating
- 6.8/10
Resources
School Districts (5)
Environmental Charter Middle - Gardena District
1 school · 360 students
New Millennium Secondary District
1 school · 145 students
Environmental Charter High - Gardena District
1 school · 339 students
KIPP Generations Academy District
1 school · 164 students
Los Angeles Unified
785 schools · 419,929 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Gardena, California
How many schools are in Gardena, California?
Gardena has 23 schools, including 16 public and 7 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Gardena, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Gardena is 6.8 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Gardena, California?
The top-ranked school in Gardena on MySchoolScout is Chapman Elementary with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Gardena, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Gardena on MySchoolScout is Chapman Elementary with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Gardena, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Gardena on MySchoolScout is Robert E. Peary Middle with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Gardena, California?
The top-ranked high school in Gardena on MySchoolScout is Environmental Charter High - Gardena with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve Gardena, California?
Gardena is served by 5 school districts: Environmental Charter Middle - Gardena District, New Millennium Secondary District, Environmental Charter High - Gardena District, Kipp Generations Academy District, Los Angeles Unified.
What is the education level in Gardena, California?
According to Census data, 29% of adults in Gardena have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Gardena, California?
The median household income in Gardena is approximately $80,183 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Gardena, California?
Yes, Gardena has 7 private schools alongside 16 public schools. The top-rated private school is Maria Regina with a score of 5.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Gardena, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Gardena is 18.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Gardena, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.