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Average

#4650 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 49% in state

Mervyn M. Dymally High

High School · Los Angeles Unified

8800 South San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90003

Enrollment

720

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Los Angeles

#417 of 563

public schools

California high schools

#963 of 1,892

In district

#614 of 769

Los Angeles Unified

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Mervyn M. Dymally High

Mervyn M. Dymally High is a regular public high school located in the heart of Los Angeles, California. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 720 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1.

There are 44 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education at this urban setting. Academically, Mervyn M. Dymally High is currently ranked #5256 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it around the 45th percentile among public high schools.

The school’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.1 out of 10, with an academic score of 2.5/10, indicating areas for improvement particularly in ELA and math proficiency rates of 27% and 6%, respectively. Despite the current challenges in test scores, Mervyn M. Dymally High remains committed to supporting its students through a variety of programs and resources aimed at fostering academic growth and development.

The school is nestled within a vibrant urban community, offering students access to diverse cultural experiences and city amenities. Mervyn M. Dymally High is situated in the bustling heart of Los Angeles, providing students with a dynamic setting that extends beyond the classroom walls.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.4%
Math vs. State Avg-20.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Overall Proficiency19%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,030

Mervyn M. Dymally High — Students at Mervyn M. Dymally High score 19% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 6.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 26.7%
School
State
51.5%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2024
Math
7.6%
ELA
31.4%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Mervyn M. Dymally High Compares

See how Mervyn M. Dymally High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in CA
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

8800 South San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mervyn M. Dymally High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is John C. Fremont Senior High (rated 6.6/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, John Hope Continuation (rated 4.5/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Los Angeles, see our Los Angeles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Watts Learning Center Charter Middle Los Angeles 0.0 mi 5.1
South Park Elementary Los Angeles 0.3 mi 6.1
Mother of Sorrows Los Angeles 0.3 mi
MOTHER OF SORROWS SCHOOL Los Angeles 0.3 mi 5.2
Dr. Owen Lloyd Knox Elementary Los Angeles 0.3 mi 8.8
Ninety-Third Street Elementary Los Angeles 0.4 mi 7.6
Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4 Los Angeles 0.7 mi 5.9
John Hope Continuation Los Angeles 0.7 mi 4.5
Watts Learning Center Los Angeles 0.7 mi 5.5
John C. Fremont Senior High Los Angeles 0.9 mi 6.6
KIPP Ignite Academy Los Angeles 0.8 mi 4.0
McKinley Avenue Elementary Los Angeles 0.9 mi 6.8
KIPP Academy of Opportunity Los Angeles 0.8 mi 5.5
KIPP Empower Academy Los Angeles 0.8 mi 3.9
Charles W. Barrett Elementary Los Angeles 0.9 mi 8.5
Ninety-Ninth Street Elementary Los Angeles 1.0 mi 7.6
Seventy-Fifth Street Elementary Los Angeles 1.1 mi 7.0
Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High Los Angeles 1.0 mi 7.1
Sheenway School and Culture Center Los Angeles 1.1 mi
SHEENWAY SCHOOL AND CULTURE CENTER Los Angeles 1.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,781

Median Home Value

$547,600

Median Rent

$1,515/mo

Population

71,708

College Educated

7.1%

Homeownership

26.6%

Avg Commute

36.5 min

Poverty Rate

26.3%

Median Age

30.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mervyn M. Dymally High has a median household income of $54,781. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $547,600, with a median rent of $1,515/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mervyn M. Dymally High

What grades does Mervyn M. Dymally High serve?

Mervyn M. Dymally High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mervyn M. Dymally High?

Mervyn M. Dymally High has an enrollment of approximately 720 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mervyn M. Dymally High?

The student-teacher ratio at Mervyn M. Dymally High is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mervyn M. Dymally High rank in CA?

Mervyn M. Dymally High is ranked #4650 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Mervyn M. Dymally High's MySchoolScout rating?

Mervyn M. Dymally High has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Mervyn M. Dymally High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mervyn M. Dymally High has 6.3% math proficiency and 26.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mervyn M. Dymally High a charter school?

No, Mervyn M. Dymally High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mervyn M. Dymally High a Title I school?

No, Mervyn M. Dymally High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mervyn M. Dymally High?

98.3% of students at Mervyn M. Dymally 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

City Safety
High (2,223/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.3%
Type
regular
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
#614 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

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