Excellent
#81 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 1% in state
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet
High School · Los Angeles Unified
6649 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, CA 91406
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
9.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
9.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake Balboa
#1 of 11
public schools
California high schools
#8 of 1,892
In district
#32 of 769
Los Angeles Unified
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet is a public magnet high school in Lake Balboa, California, serving 224 students in grades 9 through 12. The school's journalism and communications focus draws students across the district, keeping enrollment deliberately small and the student-teacher ratio at 17.2:1 — conditions that support close mentorship and hands-on learning. The school earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10, placing it in Exceptional territory.
That performance translates directly in statewide comparisons: Daniel Pearl ranks 8th among 1,892 California high schools, outperforming 99% of public schools across the state. Its growth score of 9.8 out of 10 is particularly striking — indicating that students here are advancing faster than nearly every peer school, regardless of where they start. Among the 11 public schools in Lake Balboa, Daniel Pearl ranks first.
Its academic score of 8.7 reflects strong outcomes across tested subjects, while the growth figure signals that those results aren't static — the school consistently moves students forward. For families weighing a specialized high school against larger comprehensive campuses, this combination of subject focus, small scale, and top-tier academic trajectory makes Daniel Pearl one of the most compelling public school options in California.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet — Students at Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71%
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 Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet Compares
See how Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 31.03% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 70.69% (2024).
Location
6649 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, CA 91406
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Birmingham Community Charter High (rated 8.3/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Independence Continuation (rated 5.5/10, 0.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, High Tech LA (rated 5.5/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lake Balboa, see our Lake Balboa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Continuation Lake Balboa | 0.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Lake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet K-12 Lake Balboa | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| William Mulholland Middle Lake Balboa | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Birmingham Community Charter High Lake Balboa | 0.3 mi | 8.3 |
| High Tech LA Lake Balboa | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Magnolia Science Academy 2 Van Nuys | 0.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Gault Street Elementary Lake Balboa | 0.5 mi | 9.2 |
| St. Bridget of Sweden Elementary Van Nuys | 0.7 mi | — |
| ST BRIDGET OF SWEDEN Lake Balboa | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Lemay Street Elementary Lake Balboa | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| VALLEY WALDORF CITY SCHOOL Van Nuys | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| The City School Lake Balboa | 0.9 mi | — |
| Anatola Avenue Elementary Lake Balboa | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Academy for Enriched Sciences Encino | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| LN Media Academy Encino | 1.5 mi | — |
| Stagg Street Elementary Van Nuys | 1.5 mi | 9.3 |
| Westmark School Encino | 1.5 mi | — |
| WESTMARK SCHOOL Encino | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Newcastle Elementary Reseda | 1.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Bertrand Avenue Elementary Reseda | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,653
Median Home Value
$765,000
Median Rent
$1,859/mo
Population
52,661
College Educated
28.7%
Homeownership
39.4%
Avg Commute
33.1 min
Poverty Rate
18%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet has a median household income of $76,653. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $765,000, with a median rent of $1,859/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Soc Just Leadership Acad at Esteban E. Torres High #5 Los Angeles, CA | 9.3 |
| Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy Tuolumne, CA | 9.1 |
| Valley International Preparatory High Northridge, CA | 9.1 |
| Village Academy High School at Indian Hill Pomona, CA | 9.1 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Lrng Acads-Arts/Theatre/Entertain Mag San Fernando, CA | 9.0 |
| Humanities and Arts (HARTS) Academy of Los Angeles Harbor City, CA | 9.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet
What grades does Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet serve?
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet?
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet has an enrollment of approximately 224 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet?
The student-teacher ratio at Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet rank in CA?
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet is ranked #81 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet's MySchoolScout rating?
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet has 26.0% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet a charter school?
No, Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet a Title I school?
No, Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet?
71.0% of students at Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet 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
- Walk Score
- 74 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 50 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 71 Very Bikeable
- County Safety
- Low (245/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 224
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (818) 654-3775
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Los Angeles Unified- District Enrollment
- 419,929
- Schools in District
- 785
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,687
- District Rank
- #32 of 769
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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