Excellent
#597 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 6% in state
Howard Wood Elementary
Elementary School · Torrance Unified
2250 West 235th St., Torrance, CA 90501
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Torrance
#1 of 33
public schools
California elementary schools
#442 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 30
Torrance Unified
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Howard Wood Elementary
Howard Wood Elementary is a public elementary school in Torrance, CA, part of the Torrance Unified. The school serves approximately 379 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 22.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 93.7th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 57% proficiency in math, 18 points above the state average and 53% in reading/language arts, 8 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $92,815, where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Howard Wood Elementary is 22.3:1, 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Howard Wood Elementary — Students at Howard Wood Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
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 12 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: 9.7/10.
How Howard Wood Elementary Compares
See how Howard Wood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 64.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 60.34% (2024).
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 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Lomita), with a very similar rating. Another option is Torrance Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, John Adams Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 7.1 |
| J. H. Hull Middle Torrance | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| Lomita Math/Science/Technology Magnet Lomita | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Torrance Elementary Torrance | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| 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 | 8.6 |
| Humanities and Arts (HARTS) Academy of Los Angeles Harbor City | 1.0 mi | 9.0 |
| George S. Patton Continuation Harbor City | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Howard Wood Elementary has a median household income of $92,815. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $887,300, with a median rent of $1,868/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Apperson Street Elementary Sunland, CA | 8.6 |
| Arroyo San Carlos, CA | 8.6 |
| Aveson School of Leaders Altadena, CA | 8.6 |
| Burbank Boulevard Elementary North Hollywood, CA | 8.6 |
| Calabash Charter Academy Woodland Hills, CA | 8.6 |
| Cleveland Elementary Lakewood, CA | 8.6 |
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 is ranked #597 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Howard Wood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Howard Wood Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Howard Wood Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howard Wood Elementary has 57.2% math proficiency and 53.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 59 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 34 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 71 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,096/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Torrance). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (310) 533-4484
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Torrance Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,109
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,134
- District Rank
- #1 of 30
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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