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Average

#744 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 42% of private schools

First Lutheran School

Elementary School

2900 W CARSON ST, Torrance, CA 90503

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 33 schools in Torrance. Learn more

Enrollment

307

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Torrance

#7 of 10

public schools

California elementary schools

#419 of 1,102

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About First Lutheran School

First Lutheran School serves 307 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Torrance, California. This elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.3 to 1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for personalized attention in smaller classroom settings. The school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #1208 among California's 1790 elementary schools, placing it in the 33rd percentile statewide.

While the school has room for academic growth compared to top-performing institutions across the state, it serves families in an educated and affluent community where 55% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. First Lutheran School is located in the 90503 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $117,364 and the median home value is $991,400. The low poverty rate of just 5.8% reflects the economic stability of the surrounding neighborhood, which has a population of 44,280 residents.

Situated on West Carson Street, the school operates in Torrance's mid-size city environment, providing students with access to the educational and cultural opportunities that come with suburban Los Angeles County living while maintaining a close-knit school community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, First Lutheran School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How First Lutheran School compares to 29 public schools serving similar grades in Torrance, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
This School
vs
24.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
307
This School
vs
546
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.5
This School
vs
6.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Asian 50.2% vs 0%
White 16.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 10.7% vs 0%
Black 6.2% vs 0%
First Lutheran School Torrance Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
First Lutheran School (this school) 6.5
Madrona Middle 6.0
Fern Elementary 7.1
Hickory Elementary 6.7
Gene Drevno Community Day
Torrance Elementary 7.4
Jefferson Middle 6.6
Joseph Arnold Elementary 7.9
Anza Elementary 6.3
Howard Wood Elementary 8.6
Seaside Elementary 5.3
J. H. Hull Middle 5.7
Calle Mayor Middle 7.5
Victor Elementary 6.7
John Adams Elementary 7.1
Bert M. Lynn Middle 6.6
Walteria Elementary 8.0
Halldale Elementary 6.2
Edward J. Richardson Middle 7.4
Philip Magruder Middle 5.2
Edison Elementary 5.7

Showing 20 of 29 schools. View all schools in Torrance

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 4.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 14.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,176.4
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 68%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 307
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Asian 50.2%
White 16.6%
Two or More 16.0%
Hispanic 10.7%
Black 6.2%
Pacific Islander 0.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2900 W CARSON ST, Torrance, CA 90503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering First Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Joseph Arnold Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Torrance Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fern Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Torrance, see our Torrance schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
First Lutheran Torrance 0.0 mi
Hickory Tree School Torrance 0.3 mi
HICKORY TREE SCHOOL Torrance 0.3 mi 5.9
Madrona Middle Torrance 0.4 mi 6.0
Fern Elementary Torrance 0.5 mi 7.1
THE CHILDRENS PLACE SCHOOL Torrance 0.7 mi
Hickory Elementary Torrance 0.8 mi 6.7
PACIFIC EXPLORER MONTESSORI Torrance 0.8 mi
NATIVITY SCHOOL Torrance 0.7 mi 6.4
Ambassador High School Torrance 0.8 mi
Branch of Hope School Torrance 0.8 mi
AMBASSADOR HIGH SCHOOL Torrance 0.8 mi 7.0
AMBASSADOR HIGH SCHOOL Torrance 0.8 mi 6.7
Mr. J's Academy Torrance 1.0 mi
Shery (Kurt T.) High (Continuation) Torrance 1.0 mi 6.5
Torrance High Torrance 1.0 mi 7.8
Gene Drevno Community Day Torrance 1.0 mi
Torrance Elementary Torrance 1.1 mi 7.4
Jefferson Middle Torrance 1.1 mi 6.6
Joseph Arnold Elementary Torrance 1.2 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$119,685

Median Home Value

$1,058,100

Median Rent

$2,249/mo

Population

43,764

College Educated

55.4%

Homeownership

52.5%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding First Lutheran School has a median household income of $119,685. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,058,100, with a median rent of $2,249/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Aromas Aromas, CA 6.5
BASIS INDEPENDENT FREMONT UPPER SCHOOL Fremont, CA 6.5
Baldwin Lane Elementary Big Bear Lake, CA 6.5
Barrett Elementary Morgan Hill, CA 6.5
Bella Vista Elementary Bella Vista, CA 6.5
Buckeye Elementary Shingle Springs, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about First Lutheran School

What grades does First Lutheran School serve?

First Lutheran School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend First Lutheran School?

First Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 307 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at First Lutheran School?

The student-teacher ratio at First Lutheran School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does First Lutheran School rank in CA?

First Lutheran School is ranked #744 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is First Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?

First Lutheran School 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.

Is First Lutheran School a private school?

Yes, First Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Evangelical Lutheran Church in America affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is First Lutheran School a religious school?

First Lutheran School has a Evangelical Lutheran Church in America religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,096/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
307
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
173 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
LOS ANGELES
Data Year
2022–2023

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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