Best Schools in Torrance, California
62 schools · 38 Elementary · 9 Middle · 14 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Torrance?
Use this page to compare every school in Torrance by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Lincoln Elementary
Elementary · Torrance Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Walteria Elementary
Elementary · Torrance Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Anza Elementary
Elementary · Torrance Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Torrance for 2026 are Lincoln Elementary (8.6/10), Walteria Elementary (8.6/10), and Anza Elementary (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 43 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
62
34 public · 28 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$928,340
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
62
34 public · 28 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$928,340
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.6/10 despite 37% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.2 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Torrance schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +17.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Torrance schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Torrance
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (43 of 62). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Walteria Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Anza Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Towers Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Meyler Street Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Arlington Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Seaside Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Edward J. Richardson Middle | 8.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Howard Wood Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Van Deene Avenue Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.2/10
- Median household income
- $105,506
- Median home value
- $928,340
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 47%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 56%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Torrance compares
California rank
#130 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.9
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$106k
106% of California median
Schools in this city
43
Education Snapshot
Torrance, CaliforniaTorrance runs 62 schools across 2 districts, enrolling approximately 27,877 students in a system that skews toward the elementary grades — 38 elementary campuses account for more than half the school count, alongside 9 middle schools, 14 high schools, and 1 combined program. Forty-three of those schools carry a MySchoolScout composite rating and average 7.2/10, which clears California's statewide average of 6.3/10 by nearly a full point. That 0.9-point premium spans a sample size large enough to reflect citywide performance rather than a few high-scoring outliers. The community's economic and educational profile tracks above the state on both key measures: a median household income of $110,459, sitting 5% above California's median of $105,206, and an adult college-attainment rate of 50% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Taken together, Torrance's school ratings and household indicators both clear their respective state baselines by a consistent margin.
About Schools in Torrance, California
Torrance runs one of the stronger public school systems in Los Angeles County. The city has 33 ranked public schools with an average score of 7.0 out of 10 — a meaningful benchmark when you consider how far that sits above most urban districts in California. Fifty-two percent of schools, 17 in total, score 7 or higher, which means parents here have genuine options rather than one standout surrounded by mediocrity.
Elementary performance leads the way. Howard Wood Elementary tops the city at 8.6 out of 10, the highest-rated school on this list and a clear target for families in its attendance zone. Meyler Street Elementary and Lincoln Elementary both score 8.3, and Riviera Elementary reaches 8.0. Four elementary schools clearing the 8.0 mark in a single city is uncommon and signals district-wide investment at the K–5 level. South High anchors the secondary tier at 8.2, giving families a strong pipeline from elementary through graduation without leaving the public system.
The Torrance Unified School District covers most of these schools and has built a consistent track record. The spread between the city average of 7.0 and the top score of 8.6 is relatively tight, which tells parents that weaker-performing schools here would rank competitively in many neighboring cities. That compression at the top is useful context: a school scoring 6.5 in Torrance may still outperform schools in adjacent communities.
For practical planning, families should prioritize confirming their exact attendance boundaries early — the gap between Howard Wood and an average-tier school is real, and Torrance neighborhoods are compact enough that a few streets can determine school assignment. Parents targeting high school should look at South High's course offerings and enrollment pathways from the middle school level up. The city's overall depth means most parents will find at least one quality option within reach, but the highest-rated elementaries do generate competitive interest. Research boundary maps before committing to a home purchase or rental.
Elementary Schools
38 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 408 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 |
| 2 | 658 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 |
| 3 | 640 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 |
| 4 | 608 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 |
| 5 | 582 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 6 | 548 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 7 | 573 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 8 | 379 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 |
| 9 | 326 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.9 |
| 10 | 842 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 |
Show all 38 elementary schools in Torrance
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 649 students · 6th–8th | 8.0 | ||
| 2 | 645 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 | ||
| 3 | 625 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 | ||
| 4 | 605 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 | ||
| 5 | 610 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 | ||
| 6 | 597 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 | ||
| 7 | 674 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 | ||
| 8 | 629 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Childrens Place School
Private
9 students · 1st–6th | — | ||
High Schools
14 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,980 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | 1,811 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 | ||
| 3 | 1,798 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 4 | 1,786 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 5 | 110 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 6 | 13 students · 7th–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 8 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Switzer Learning Center
Private
62 students · 6th–12th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | Ambassador High School
Private
108 students · 6th–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | Ambassador High School
Private
116 students · 6th–12th | 6.7 | ||
| 4 | Bishop Montgomery High
Private
846 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 14 high schools in Torrance
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Center for Learning Unlimited
Private
25 students · 1st–12th | — |
Schools in Torrance
Torrance, California · 62 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 5 ZIP codes
Median Income
$105,506
Median Home Value
$928,340
Median Rent
$2,117/mo
Population
172,123
College Educated
47%
Homeownership
56%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Community Profile
Torrance has a median household income of $105,506. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $928,340, with a median rent of $2,117/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 38
- Middle
- 9
- High
- 14
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Torrance, California
How many schools are in Torrance, California?
Torrance has 62 schools, including 34 public and 28 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Torrance, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Torrance is 7.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Torrance, California?
The top-ranked school in Torrance on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Torrance, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Torrance on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Torrance, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Torrance on MySchoolScout is Edward J. Richardson Middle with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best high school in Torrance, California?
The top-ranked high school in Torrance on MySchoolScout is Torrance High with a composite score of 7.9/10.
How many school districts serve Torrance, California?
Torrance is served by 2 school districts: Los Angeles Unified, Torrance Unified.
What is the education level in Torrance, California?
According to Census data, 47% of adults in Torrance have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Torrance, California?
The median household income in Torrance is approximately $105,506 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Torrance, California?
Yes, Torrance has 28 private schools alongside 34 public schools. The top-rated private school is Switzer Learning Center with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Torrance, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Torrance is 18.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Torrance, 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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- 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.