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Average

#3930 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 41% in state

Downey High

High School · Downey Unified

11040 Brookshire Ave., Downey, CA 90241

Enrollment

3,936

Student-Teacher

23.9:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Downey

#10 of 23

public schools

California high schools

#762 of 1,892

In district

#9 of 20

Downey Unified

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Downey High

Downey High serves 3,936 students in grades 9-12 in Downey, California, making it one of the larger high schools in Los Angeles County. With 165 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.9:1, which is fairly typical for a comprehensive public high school of this size. Academically, Downey High earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks in the 67th percentile among California high schools at #3190 out of 9566 schools statewide.

The school shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 67% of students score proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents more of a growth opportunity, with 28% of students achieving proficiency. The school draws from a stable suburban community where the median household income reaches $81,220 and median home values are $707,200.

About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10%. These demographics reflect a working-class to middle-class neighborhood with established families. Located on Brookshire Avenue in Downey's large suburban setting, the school serves as an educational anchor in this well-established Los Angeles County community known for its residential neighborhoods and local business district.

What Parents Should Know

Downey High is a large school with 3,936 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 Downey High is 23.9:1, 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 Progress9.2Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.6%
Math vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,019

Downey High — Students at Downey High score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 64.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 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
28%
ELA
59%
2024
Math
28.4%
ELA
66.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.

How Downey High Compares

See how Downey High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in CA
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
165 teachers

Location

11040 Brookshire Ave., Downey, CA 90241

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Downey High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Warren (Earl) High (rated 6.7/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Columbus (Christopher) High (rated 5.8/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Downey, see our Downey schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
CHILDREN'S ACADEMY OF SUCCESS Downey 0.5 mi
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL Downey 0.7 mi 5.2
Creative Beginnings Downey 0.7 mi
Around the World Children's Center Downey 0.8 mi
DOWNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Downey 0.9 mi 6.3
Rio San Gabriel Elementary Downey 0.8 mi 6.4
Doty (Wendy Lopour) Middle Downey 0.8 mi 5.6
Warren (Earl) High Downey 0.9 mi 6.7
Alameda Elementary Downey 1.1 mi 6.4
Rio Hondo Elementary Downey 1.1 mi 7.9
Gallatin Elementary Downey 1.3 mi 3.9
Gauldin (A.L.) Elementary Downey 1.3 mi 5.9
Griffiths (Gordon) Middle Downey 1.4 mi 7.4
Price (Maude) Elementary Downey 1.5 mi 7.0
Columbus (Christopher) High Downey 1.5 mi 5.8
Woodruff Academy Downey 1.5 mi
MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Downey 1.3 mi 6.3
Sussman (Edward A.) Middle Downey 1.5 mi 7.0
Williams (Spencer V.) Elementary Downey 1.4 mi 8.9
Unsworth (Edith) Elementary Downey 1.6 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90241 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,375

Median Home Value

$770,100

Median Rent

$1,884/mo

Population

45,484

College Educated

24.6%

Homeownership

41.3%

Avg Commute

32.7 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Downey High has a median household income of $84,375. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $770,100, with a median rent of $1,884/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. 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
Alisal High Salinas, CA 6.7
Paramount High Paramount, CA 6.7
Warren (Earl) High Downey, CA 6.7
Centennial High Corona, CA 6.8
Chaparral High Temecula, CA 6.8
Fontana High Fontana, CA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Downey High

What grades does Downey High serve?

Downey High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Downey High?

Downey High has an enrollment of approximately 3,936 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Downey High?

The student-teacher ratio at Downey High is 23.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Downey High rank in CA?

Downey High is ranked #3930 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Downey High's MySchoolScout rating?

Downey High has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Downey High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Downey High has 28.3% math proficiency and 64.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Downey High a charter school?

No, Downey High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Downey High a Title I school?

No, Downey High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Downey High?

66.5% of students at Downey 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
81 Very Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
County Safety
Low (245/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,936
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
165
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Downey Unified
District Enrollment
22,421
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,173
District Rank
#9 of 20

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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