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Below Average

#7840 of 9,533 schools in CA

New Designs Charter School-watts

High School · New Designs Charter School-Watts District

12714 South Avalon Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90061

Charter

Enrollment

239

Student-Teacher

34.1:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Los Angeles

#522 of 563

public schools

California high schools

#1,664 of 1,892

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About New Designs Charter School-watts

New Designs Charter School-Watts is a charter high school located in Los Angeles, California. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 239 students and employs seven full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 34.1:1. The academic performance at New Designs Charter School-Watts is currently rated at 3.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, with the school ranking 7081st out of 9566 schools in California.

In terms of proficiency rates, only 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 14% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite these challenges, New Designs Charter School-Watts is committed to providing its students with the support and resources they need to succeed both academically and personally. The school's location in a large suburban area means that it benefits from a community setting that includes a range of local amenities and services.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at New Designs Charter School-watts is 34.1:1, 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.

New Designs Charter School-watts is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.6%
Math vs. State Avg-18.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.3 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness3.0Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio34.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,288

New Designs Charter School-watts — Students at New Designs Charter School-watts score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 13.7%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 27.2%
School
State
48.5%

Based on 14 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
13%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
34.5%
2024
Math
15.5%
ELA
26.2%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How New Designs Charter School-watts Compares

See how New Designs Charter School-watts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
18th percentile in CA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
34:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

12714 South Avalon Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90061

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering New Designs Charter School-watts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Benjamin Banneker Career and Transition Center (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Animo Watts College Preparatory Academy (rated 7.2/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Centennial High (rated 6.7/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Compton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Los Angeles, see our Los Angeles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Animo Mae Jemison Charter Middle Los Angeles 0.0 mi 5.3
Animo Watts College Preparatory Academy Los Angeles 0.1 mi 7.2
Los Angeles Adventist Academy Los Angeles 0.3 mi
One Hundred Twenty-Second Street Elementary Los Angeles 0.3 mi 7.0
LOS ANGELES ADVENTIST ACADEMY Los Angeles 0.3 mi 5.4
Barack Obama Charter Los Angeles 0.6 mi 4.2
Ingenium Clarion Charter Middle Los Angeles 0.6 mi 5.7
Animo Compton Charter Los Angeles 0.6 mi 5.6
Centennial High Compton 0.7 mi 6.7
One Hundred Eighteenth Street Elementary Los Angeles 0.8 mi 4.7
One Hundred Sixteenth Street Elementary Los Angeles 0.8 mi 7.1
Avalon Gardens Elementary Los Angeles 0.9 mi 8.3
Alliance Jack H. Skirball Middle Los Angeles 0.9 mi 6.5
Benjamin Banneker Career and Transition Center Los Angeles 0.9 mi 7.5
KIPP Compton Community Compton 0.9 mi 4.2
University Pathways Medical Magnet Academy Los Angeles 1.1 mi 6.0
Carver Elementary Los Angeles 1.0 mi 8.5
Ronald E. McNair Elementary Compton 0.9 mi 8.2
Samuel Gompers Middle Los Angeles 1.1 mi 6.4
McKinley Elementary Compton 1.2 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90061 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,114

Median Home Value

$576,400

Median Rent

$1,498/mo

Population

28,478

College Educated

12.3%

Homeownership

36.9%

Avg Commute

30.5 min

Poverty Rate

24%

Median Age

32.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding New Designs Charter School-watts has a median household income of $60,114. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $576,400, with a median rent of $1,498/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Bert Corona Charter High Pacoima, CA 4.8
Fusion Charter Turlock, CA 4.8
Learning for Life Charter Marina, CA 4.8
Rancho Vista High Temecula, CA 4.8
Strathmore High Porterville, CA 4.8
The Education Corps Long Beach, CA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about New Designs Charter School-watts

What grades does New Designs Charter School-watts serve?

New Designs Charter School-watts serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend New Designs Charter School-watts?

New Designs Charter School-watts has an enrollment of approximately 239 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at New Designs Charter School-watts?

The student-teacher ratio at New Designs Charter School-watts is 34.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does New Designs Charter School-watts rank in CA?

New Designs Charter School-watts is ranked #7840 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is New Designs Charter School-watts's MySchoolScout rating?

New Designs Charter School-watts has a composite rating of 4.8 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 New Designs Charter School-watts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Designs Charter School-watts has 13.7% math proficiency and 27.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is New Designs Charter School-watts a charter school?

Yes, New Designs Charter School-watts is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is New Designs Charter School-watts a Title I school?

No, New Designs Charter School-watts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Designs Charter School-watts?

95.4% of students at New Designs Charter School-watts 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
6th – 12th
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher Ratio
34.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

New Designs Charter School-Watts District
District Enrollment
239
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,980
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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