Chapman Elementary

Chapman Elementary in Gardena, California serves 375 students across kindergarten through fifth grade. The school earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with academic and growth scores of 9.3 and 9.6 respectively. The numbers behind that rating are striking.

Chapman ranks 40th out of 9,533 public schools statewide and 39th among 5,817 California elementary schools — placing it in the top fraction of a percent across the state. It also holds the top spot among all 16 schools in Gardena. These rankings reflect consistent, measurable performance rather than a single strong year.

A student-teacher ratio of 18.8 to 1 means students get meaningful classroom attention at a public school price point. Chapman operates as a regular public school, so no application process or lottery is required for eligible students. For families in Gardena comparing elementary options, the data is clear: Chapman performs at a level most California schools don't approach, outperforming schools across every region and district type in the state.

Parents looking for strong academics and demonstrated growth within a neighborhood public school will find Chapman difficult to match.