Excellent
#1647 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 17% in state
Howard Wood Elementary
Elementary School · Torrance Unified
2250 West 235th St., Torrance, CA 90501
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#1,647 of 9,539
In Torrance
#9 of 33
public schools
In district
#8 of 30
Torrance Unified
Equity
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Howard Wood Elementary
Elementary School in Torrance · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
John Adams Elementary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
J. H. Hull Middle
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Howard Wood Elementary
Howard Wood Elementary is a public elementary school in Torrance, CA, part of Torrance Unified. Howard Wood Elementary serves approximately 379 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Howard Wood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,647 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Howard Wood Elementary show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.0 · Excellent
- District avg 7.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Howard Wood Elementary runs 22.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Howard Wood Elementary — Students at Howard Wood Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Howard Wood Elementary Compares
See how Howard Wood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2250 West 235th St., Torrance, CA 90501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Howard Wood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lomita Math/Science/Technology Magnet (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Lomita), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hickory Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, John Adams Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Torrance, see our Torrance schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| John Adams Elementary Torrance | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| J. H. Hull Middle Torrance | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Nishiyamato Academy Lomita | 0.6 mi | — |
| TORRANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Torrance | 0.6 mi | — |
| NISHIYAMATO ACADEMY OF CALIFORNIA Lomita | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Shery (Kurt T.) High (Continuation) Torrance | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Lomita Math/Science/Technology Magnet Lomita | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Torrance Elementary Torrance | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| PACIFIC EXPLORER MONTESSORI Torrance | 0.8 mi | — |
| Coastal Academy Lomita | 0.9 mi | — |
| Ambassador High School Torrance | 0.9 mi | — |
| AMBASSADOR HIGH SCHOOL Torrance | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| AMBASSADOR HIGH SCHOOL Torrance | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Gene Drevno Community Day Torrance | 0.9 mi | — |
| Hickory Elementary Torrance | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH KINDERGARTEN Torrance | 0.9 mi | — |
| Bread of Life Church School Torrance | 0.9 mi | — |
| Nathaniel Narbonne Senior High Harbor City | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Humanities and Arts (HARTS) Academy of Los Angeles Harbor City | 1.0 mi | 8.8 |
| George S. Patton Continuation Harbor City | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$92,815
Median Home Value
$887,300
Median Rent
$1,868/mo
Population
41,319
College Educated
38.7%
Homeownership
45.6%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
38.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ada W. Harris Elementary Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA | 8.0 |
| Aloha Elementary Lakewood, CA | 8.0 |
| Aviation Elementary Hawthorne, CA | 8.0 |
| Bay Park Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.0 |
| Bethune K-8 San Diego, CA | 8.0 |
| Burcham Elementary Long Beach, CA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Howard Wood Elementary
What grades does Howard Wood Elementary serve?
Howard Wood Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Howard Wood Elementary?
Howard Wood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 379 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Howard Wood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Howard Wood Elementary is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Howard Wood Elementary rank in CA?
Howard Wood Elementary ranks #1,647 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Howard Wood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Howard Wood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Howard Wood Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Howard Wood Elementary has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Howard Wood Elementary a charter school?
No, Howard Wood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Howard Wood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Howard Wood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howard Wood Elementary?
44.3% of students at Howard Wood Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 379
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.8%
- Phone
- (310) 533-4484
Resources & Links
District
Torrance Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,109
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,134
- District Rank
- #8 of 30
Other Schools in This District
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