Skip to main content

Average

#6641 of 9,533 schools in CA

Independence Continuation

High School · Los Angeles Unified

6501 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, CA 91406

Enrollment

119

Student-Teacher

19.8:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lake Balboa

#11 of 11

public schools

California high schools

#1,423 of 1,892

In district

#716 of 769

Los Angeles Unified

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Independence Continuation

Independence Continuation is an alternative high school located in the Lake Balboa area of Los Angeles County. The school’s address is 6501 Balboa Blvd, where it serves students from grades 9 through 12. With a total enrollment of 119 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.8:1, Independence Continuation offers personalized attention to help its students succeed.

The academic performance at Independence Continuation shows room for improvement, with the school ranking in the lower tenth percentile among California schools and receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10. On standardized tests, only 18% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 8% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite these challenges, Independence Continuation focuses on supporting its diverse student population through tailored educational programs and a supportive environment.

The school is situated within the heart of a large city, offering access to urban resources and opportunities for community engagement. Independence Continuation provides an alternative high school experience that caters to students who might thrive in a smaller setting with additional support, making it a unique option within the Los Angeles County education landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 119 students, Independence Continuation is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.3%
Math vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-39.6 pts
Overall Proficiency11%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-20.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,030

Independence Continuation — Students at Independence Continuation score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 8.1%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 18.2%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
6.1%
ELA
16.3%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Independence Continuation Compares

See how Independence Continuation performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in CA
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

6501 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, CA 91406

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence Continuation may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet (rated 9.3/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Birmingham Community Charter High (rated 8.3/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, High Tech LA (rated 5.5/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lake Balboa, see our Lake Balboa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet Lake Balboa 0.1 mi 9.3
Lake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet K-12 Lake Balboa 0.2 mi 5.6
Birmingham Community Charter High Lake Balboa 0.2 mi 8.3
William Mulholland Middle Lake Balboa 0.3 mi 7.1
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 0.6 mi 9.2
St. Bridget of Sweden Elementary Van Nuys 0.8 mi
ST BRIDGET OF SWEDEN Lake Balboa 0.8 mi 5.7
Lemay Street Elementary Lake Balboa 0.8 mi 6.1
VALLEY WALDORF CITY SCHOOL Van Nuys 1.0 mi 4.9
The City School Lake Balboa 1.0 mi
Anatola Avenue Elementary Lake Balboa 1.2 mi 7.2
LN Media Academy Encino 1.4 mi
Academy for Enriched Sciences Encino 1.3 mi 7.8
Westmark School Encino 1.4 mi
WESTMARK SCHOOL Encino 1.4 mi 7.3
Newcastle Elementary Reseda 1.3 mi 9.1
Stagg Street Elementary Van Nuys 1.6 mi 9.3
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 Independence Continuation 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
Alta Vista High (Continuation) Vista, CA 5.5
Anderson New Technology High Anderson, CA 5.5
Core Learning Academy at Conley-Caraballo High Hayward, CA 5.5
Coronado High (Continuation) West Covina, CA 5.5
Creekside High Irvine, CA 5.5
Hanford Online Charter Hanford, CA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence Continuation

What grades does Independence Continuation serve?

Independence Continuation serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Independence Continuation?

Independence Continuation has an enrollment of approximately 119 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Continuation?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence Continuation is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence Continuation rank in CA?

Independence Continuation is ranked #6641 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Independence Continuation's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence Continuation has a composite rating of 5.5 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.

What are the test scores at Independence Continuation?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Continuation has 8.1% math proficiency and 18.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Independence Continuation a charter school?

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

Is Independence Continuation a Title I school?

No, Independence Continuation is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence Continuation?

76.5% of students at Independence Continuation 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

County Safety
Low (245/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Los Angeles Unified
District Enrollment
419,929
Schools in District
785
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,687
District Rank
#716 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.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.