Average
#3802 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 40% in state
Buena Vista High
High School · Paramount Unified
3717 Michelson St., Lakewood, CA 90712
Enrollment
213
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
213
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lakewood
#9 of 15
public schools
California high schools
#732 of 1,892
In district
#10 of 18
Paramount Unified
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Buena Vista High
Buena Vista High is an alternative high school located in the suburban area of Lakewood, California. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, Buena Vista has a student body of 213 and maintains a supportive environment with a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school focuses on providing individualized attention and support to its diverse population.
Buena Vista High’s academic performance, while currently lower than average with an ELA proficiency rate of 12% and a math proficiency rate of just 2%, reflects a commitment to student development rather than strict test scores. The MySchoolScout rating for the school is 4.1 out of 10, placing it in the 28th percentile among California high schools. Buena Vista High is situated in an area that offers both suburban charm and easy access to urban amenities.
The neighborhood surrounding Buena Vista provides a supportive community environment where students can thrive with additional resources beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Buena Vista High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Buena Vista High — Students at Buena Vista High score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.
How Buena Vista High Compares
See how Buena Vista High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 2.5% (2019) to 0% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 14.77% (2024).
Location
3717 Michelson St., Lakewood, CA 90712
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buena Vista High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Odyssey STEM Academy (rated 8.9/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Holmes Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stephen Foster Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Bellflower), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lakewood, see our Lakewood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Odyssey STEM Academy Lakewood | 0.1 mi | 8.9 |
| ST PANCRATIUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakewood | 0.1 mi | 6.8 |
| St. Pancratius Lakewood | 0.1 mi | — |
| Captain Raymond Collins Long Beach | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Holmes Elementary Lakewood | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Intensive Learning Center Bellflower | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Riley Elementary Lakewood | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| CREATIVE DAY PRESCHOOL & ACADEMY Bellflower | 1.0 mi | — |
| Creative Day Academy Bellflower | 1.0 mi | — |
| Bellflower Alternative Education Center Bellflower | 0.9 mi | — |
| Stephen Foster Elementary Bellflower | 1.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Craig Williams Elementary Bellflower | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Hoover Middle Lakewood | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| SPECTRUM CENTER- LONG BEACH MIDDLE COUNTRY CLUB Lakewood | 1.2 mi | — |
| Bethany Lutheran Long Beach | 1.3 mi | — |
| ST CYPRIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Long Beach | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| St. Cyprian Elementary Long Beach | 1.3 mi | — |
| BETHANY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Long Beach | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Twain Elementary Long Beach | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Madison Elementary Lakewood | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90712 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$119,246
Median Home Value
$779,600
Median Rent
$2,302/mo
Population
30,672
College Educated
36.9%
Homeownership
75.8%
Avg Commute
29.4 min
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
37.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buena Vista High has a median household income of $119,246. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $779,600, with a median rent of $2,302/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Coast High Huntington Beach, CA | 6.8 |
| Elk Grove Charter Elk Grove, CA | 6.8 |
| Griffin Academy High Vallejo, CA | 6.8 |
| Kearny Eng Innov & Design San Diego, CA | 6.8 |
| Los Molinos High Los Molinos, CA | 6.8 |
| McClymonds High Oakland, CA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buena Vista High
What grades does Buena Vista High serve?
Buena Vista High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Buena Vista High?
Buena Vista High has an enrollment of approximately 213 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista High?
The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista High is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buena Vista High rank in CA?
Buena Vista High is ranked #3802 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Buena Vista High's MySchoolScout rating?
Buena Vista High has a composite rating of 6.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Buena Vista High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buena Vista High has 1.9% math proficiency and 11.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buena Vista High a charter school?
No, Buena Vista High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buena Vista High a Title I school?
No, Buena Vista High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buena Vista High?
93.9% of students at Buena Vista High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,042/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lakewood). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 213
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.9%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (562) 602-8090
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paramount Unified- District Enrollment
- 12,042
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,321
- District Rank
- #10 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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.
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