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Excellent

#1121 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 12% in state

La Serna High

High School · Whittier Union High

15301 East Youngwood Dr., Whittier, CA 90605

Enrollment

2,385

Student-Teacher

26.8:1

Score

8.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Whittier

#6 of 42

public schools

California high schools

#184 of 1,892

In district

#3 of 7

Whittier Union High

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About La Serna High

La Serna High is a public high school in Whittier, CA, part of the Whittier Union High. The school serves approximately 2,385 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 26.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.3th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 42% proficiency in math, 10 points above the state average and 72% in reading/language arts, 21 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $100,825, where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

What Parents Should Know

La Serna High is a large school with 2,385 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 La Serna High is 26.8:1, 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 Data3
Annual Change+0.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency73.6%
Math vs. State Avg+14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+16.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College Readiness9.1Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation32.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,809

La Serna High — Students at La Serna High score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.8%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 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
37%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
71%
2024
Math
42.7%
ELA
73.6%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How La Serna High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.2/10
88th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
89 teachers

Location

15301 East Youngwood Dr., Whittier, CA 90605

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Serna High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. California High (rated 8.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Hillview Middle (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Orchard Dale Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Whittier, see our Whittier schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Murphy Ranch Elementary Whittier 0.8 mi 6.6
Leffingwell Elementary Whittier 1.1 mi 8.2
St. Bruno Parish School Whittier 1.2 mi
ST BRUNO PARISH SCHOOL Whittier 1.2 mi 5.4
East Whittier Middle Whittier 1.1 mi 7.0
Ocean View Elementary Whittier 1.2 mi 6.7
Orchard Dale Elementary Whittier 1.4 mi 8.3
Hillview Middle Whittier 1.6 mi 8.5
Jordan Elementary Whittier 1.6 mi 6.0
California High Whittier 1.7 mi 8.7
Risingstar Christian Academy Whittier 1.9 mi
Macy Elementary La Habra 1.6 mi 7.9
Scott Avenue Elementary Whittier 2.0 mi 7.2
Mulberry Tree Preschool Whittier 1.7 mi
PRIMANTI MONTESSORI ACADEMY Whittier 1.9 mi 7.1
PRIMANTI MONTESSORI ACADEMY Whittier 1.9 mi
Carden Academy of Whittier Whittier 1.8 mi
Granada Middle Whittier 2.1 mi 7.1
CARDEN ACADEMY OF WHITTIER Whittier 1.8 mi 7.1
Mulberry Elementary Whittier 2.0 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90605 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,825

Median Home Value

$662,000

Median Rent

$1,861/mo

Population

39,224

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

68%

Avg Commute

33.4 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding La Serna High has a median household income of $100,825. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $662,000, with a median rent of $1,861/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% 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
Canyon Crest Academy Encinitas, CA 8.2
Evergreen Valley High San Jose, CA 8.2
Grover Cleveland Charter High Reseda, CA 8.2
Leigh High San Jose, CA 8.2
Leland High San Jose, CA 8.2
Murrieta Valley High Murrieta, CA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Serna High

What grades does La Serna High serve?

La Serna High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend La Serna High?

La Serna High has an enrollment of approximately 2,385 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Serna High?

The student-teacher ratio at La Serna High is 26.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Serna High rank in CA?

La Serna High is ranked #1121 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is La Serna High's MySchoolScout rating?

La Serna High has a composite rating of 8.2 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 La Serna High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Serna High has 41.8% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is La Serna High a charter school?

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

Is La Serna High a Title I school?

No, La Serna High is not currently a Title I school.

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

58.4% of students at La Serna 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
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,878/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,385
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
89
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Whittier Union High
District Enrollment
10,223
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,374
District Rank
#3 of 7

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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