Excellent
#493 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 5% in state
California High
High School · Whittier Union High
9800 South Mills Ave., Whittier, CA 90604
Enrollment
2,376
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
8.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,376
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
8.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Whittier
#2 of 42
public schools
California high schools
#73 of 1,892
In district
#1 of 7
Whittier Union High
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About California High
California High is a public high school in Whittier, CA, part of the Whittier Union High. The school serves approximately 2,376 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 22:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94.8th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 34% proficiency in math, 3 points above the state average and 67% in reading/language arts, 15 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $101,104, where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What's said publicly about California High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
California High is a large school with 2,376 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at California High is 22:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
California High — Students at California High score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How California High Compares
See how California High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 34.78% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 72.83% (2024).
Location
9800 South Mills Ave., Whittier, CA 90604
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering California High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Frontier High (Continuation) (rated 6.6/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Sierra Vista High (Alternative) (rated 3.9/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Whittier, see our Whittier schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Carden Academy of Whittier Whittier | 0.2 mi | — |
| CARDEN ACADEMY OF WHITTIER Whittier | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Mulberry Elementary Whittier | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Ceres Elementary Whittier | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| East Whittier Middle Whittier | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| La Colima Elementary Whittier | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| St. Gregory the Great Whittier | 1.0 mi | — |
| ST GREGORY THE GREAT SCHOOL Whittier | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Howard J. McKibben Elementary Whittier | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Ocean View Elementary Whittier | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Mulberry Tree Preschool Whittier | 1.2 mi | — |
| Laurel Elementary Whittier | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Orchard Dale Elementary Whittier | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Hillview Middle Whittier | 1.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Sierra Vista High (Alternative) Whittier | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Frontier High (Continuation) Whittier | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Lake Marie Elementary Whittier | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Los Altos Elementary Whittier | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Lydia Jackson College Preparatory Academy Whittier | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Evergreen Elementary Whittier | 1.7 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90604 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,104
Median Home Value
$684,400
Median Rent
$1,809/mo
Population
39,378
College Educated
23.4%
Homeownership
63.8%
Avg Commute
32.3 min
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Median Age
36.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding California High has a median household income of $101,104. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $684,400, with a median rent of $1,809/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Crescenta Valley High La Crescenta, CA | 8.7 |
| Los Amigos High Fountain Valley, CA | 8.7 |
| Manuel Dominguez High Compton, CA | 8.7 |
| Oakland Technical High Oakland, CA | 8.7 |
| San Pasqual High Escondido, CA | 8.7 |
| Skyline High Oakland, CA | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about California High
What grades does California High serve?
California High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend California High?
California High has an enrollment of approximately 2,376 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at California High?
The student-teacher ratio at California High is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does California High rank in CA?
California High is ranked #493 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is California High's MySchoolScout rating?
California High has a composite rating of 8.7 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 California High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, California High has 34.4% math proficiency and 66.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is California High a charter school?
No, California High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is California High a Title I school?
No, California High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for California High?
81.0% of students at California 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 108
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (562) 698-8121
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Whittier Union High- District Enrollment
- 10,223
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,374
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.