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Average

#4353 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 46% in state

Centinela Valley Independent Study

High School · Centinela Valley Union High

4951 Marine Ave., Lawndale, CA 90260

Enrollment

46

Student-Teacher

23:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lawndale

#10 of 13

public schools

California high schools

#874 of 1,892

In district

#4 of 5

Centinela Valley Union High

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Centinela Valley Independent Study

Centinela Valley Independent Study is a unique high school in Lawndale, California, offering an alternative education pathway for students in grades 9 through 12. With a total enrollment of just 46 students and a student-teacher ratio of 23:1, the school provides personalized attention that can be hard to find in larger institutions. Centinela Valley Independent Study is located in a large suburban area, making it easily accessible for local families.

The academic performance at Centinela Valley Independent Study shows room for growth; the MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, with a state ranking of #6623 out of 9566 schools in California. In terms of specific subject areas, students perform better in ELA/Reading, where 50% are proficient or above, compared to Math, where only 12% reach proficiency levels. Despite these challenges, the school is dedicated to helping each student succeed and develop their skills.

Centinela Valley Independent Study stands out as a supportive community for high school students who thrive in an alternative educational setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 46 students, Centinela Valley Independent Study is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Centinela Valley Independent Study is 23:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,593

Centinela Valley Independent Study — Students at Centinela Valley Independent Study score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 12.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 50.0%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2024
ELA
50%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Centinela Valley Independent Study Compares

See how Centinela Valley Independent Study performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in CA
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

4951 Marine Ave., Lawndale, CA 90260

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Centinela Valley Independent Study may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Environmental Charter High - Lawndale (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lawndale High (rated 7.8/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JE PORTAL SCHOOLS (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby El Segundo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lawndale, see our Lawndale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
R. K. Lloyde High Lawndale 0.0 mi 6.1
Lawndale High Lawndale 0.3 mi 7.8
Billy Mitchell Elementary Lawndale 0.5 mi 8.1
Jane Addams Middle Lawndale 0.6 mi 8.2
LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE CHILD CARE CENTER Hawthorne 0.8 mi
Lucille J. Smith Elementary Lawndale 0.7 mi 7.4
Aviation Elementary Hawthorne 0.9 mi 6.5
Magic Rainbow Pre School Manhattan Bch 0.9 mi
Lincoln Elementary Redondo Beach 1.0 mi 8.0
Hollyglen Elementary Hawthorne 1.0 mi 5.1
Ramona Hawthorne 1.0 mi 4.8
Wiseburn Middle Hawthorne 1.0 mi 4.1
VISTAMAR SCHOOL El Segundo 1.0 mi 7.1
Vistamar School El Segundo 1.0 mi
Success Learning Center El Segundo 1.1 mi
MANHATTAN ACADEMY Manhattan Beach 1.0 mi 7.1
Manhattan Academy Manhattan Beach 1.0 mi
Manhattan Beach Middle Manhattan Beach 1.1 mi 7.3
Environmental Charter High - Lawndale Lawndale 1.2 mi 8.5
JE PORTAL SCHOOLS El Segundo 1.1 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90260 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,736

Median Home Value

$745,700

Median Rent

$1,877/mo

Population

32,379

College Educated

23.2%

Homeownership

43.7%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.2%

Median Age

36.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Centinela Valley Independent Study has a median household income of $86,736. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $745,700, with a median rent of $1,877/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
CAL COAST ACADEMY San Diego, CA 6.5
FUTURES ACADEMY - BEVERLY HILLS Beverly Hills, CA 6.5
George S. Patton Continuation Harbor City, CA 6.5
HAWTHORNE ACADEMY Hawthorne, CA 6.5
Marce Becerra Academy Healdsburg, CA 6.5
TORAH HIGH SCHOOL OF SAN DIEGO San Diego, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Centinela Valley Independent Study

What grades does Centinela Valley Independent Study serve?

Centinela Valley Independent Study serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Centinela Valley Independent Study?

Centinela Valley Independent Study has an enrollment of approximately 46 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Centinela Valley Independent Study?

The student-teacher ratio at Centinela Valley Independent Study is 23:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Centinela Valley Independent Study rank in CA?

Centinela Valley Independent Study is ranked #4353 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Centinela Valley Independent Study's MySchoolScout rating?

Centinela Valley Independent Study has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Centinela Valley Independent Study?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Centinela Valley Independent Study has 12.5% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Centinela Valley Independent Study a charter school?

No, Centinela Valley Independent Study is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Centinela Valley Independent Study a Title I school?

No, Centinela Valley Independent Study is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Centinela Valley Independent Study?

80.4% of students at Centinela Valley Independent Study qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,462/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lawndale). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.4%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Centinela Valley Union High
District Enrollment
5,600
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,438
District Rank
#4 of 5

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 methodology

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