Skip to main content

Average

#4009 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 42% in state

Paramount High

High School · Paramount Unified

14429 South Downey Ave., Paramount, CA 90723

Enrollment

3,547

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Paramount

#9 of 14

public schools

California high schools

#782 of 1,892

In district

#12 of 18

Paramount Unified

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Paramount High

Paramount High serves 3,547 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Paramount, California, operating as a large comprehensive public high school with 183 full-time teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1. The school ranks in the 46th percentile statewide, placing #5200 out of 9566 California high schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. Academically, Paramount High shows room for growth, with 45% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts while 14% reach proficiency in mathematics.

The school serves a community where the median household income is $67,130 and 13% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a working-class neighborhood with strong family values and diverse cultural backgrounds. The school's substantial enrollment creates opportunities for varied programs and activities, though the size also presents challenges in providing individualized attention. With nearly 200 teachers on staff, Paramount High maintains reasonable class sizes for a school of its scale, allowing educators to work with students who are developing their academic skills across core subjects.

Located on South Downey Avenue in Los Angeles County's large suburban landscape, Paramount High sits within a community of over 53,000 residents where the median home value reaches $470,800, indicating a stable neighborhood with established families.

What Parents Should Know

Paramount High is a large school with 3,547 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.4%
Math vs. State Avg-14.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.5 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,747

Paramount High — Students at Paramount High score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 46.4%
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
20%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
54%
2024
Math
13.6%
ELA
45.4%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Paramount High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in CA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
183 teachers

Location

14429 South Downey Ave., Paramount, CA 90723

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paramount High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST PIUS X - ST. MATTHIAS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Downey), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST PIUS-ST. MATTHIAS ACADEMY (rated 6.3/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Downy), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Paramount, see our Paramount schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Harry Wirtz Elementary Paramount 0.1 mi 7.2
Paramount Park Middle Paramount 0.3 mi 7.0
Paramount Virtual Academy Paramount 0.5 mi
Paramount Unified Community Day Paramount 0.5 mi
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY SCHOOL Paramount 0.5 mi 5.3
Our Lady of the Rosary School Paramount 0.5 mi
Jefferson Elementary Paramount 0.6 mi 7.0
Abraham Lincoln Paramount 0.6 mi 5.7
Theodore Roosevelt Paramount 0.7 mi 5.4
Albert Baxter Elementary Bellflower 0.7 mi 5.7
KID TOWN USA PRESCHOOL-MONTESSORI ACADEMY South Gate 0.9 mi
Alondra Middle Paramount 1.0 mi 8.0
Ward (E. W.) Elementary Downey 1.2 mi 3.7
Major Lynn Mokler Paramount 1.3 mi 4.6
ST PIUS-ST. MATTHIAS ACADEMY Downy 1.3 mi 6.3
ST PIUS X - ST. MATTHIAS HIGH SCHOOL Downey 1.3 mi 7.2
Adventist Union School Bellflower 1.2 mi
Howard Tanner Paramount 1.1 mi 7.8
ADVENTIST UNION SCHOOL Bellflower 1.2 mi 6.0
St. Pius X St. Matthias Academy Downey 1.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90723 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,912

Median Home Value

$500,400

Median Rent

$1,772/mo

Population

52,546

College Educated

13.1%

Homeownership

43.4%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

33.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paramount High has a median household income of $70,912. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $500,400, with a median rent of $1,772/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Alisal High Salinas, CA 6.7
Downey High Downey, CA 6.7
Franklin High Stockton, CA 6.7
University High Irvine, CA 6.7
Warren (Earl) High Downey, CA 6.7
Centennial High Corona, CA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paramount High

What grades does Paramount High serve?

Paramount High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Paramount High?

Paramount High has an enrollment of approximately 3,547 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paramount High?

The student-teacher ratio at Paramount High is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paramount High rank in CA?

Paramount High is ranked #4009 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Paramount High's MySchoolScout rating?

Paramount High has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Paramount High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paramount High has 17.5% math proficiency and 46.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paramount High a charter school?

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

Is Paramount High a Title I school?

No, Paramount High is not currently a Title I school.

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

94.4% of students at Paramount 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
83 Very Walkable
Bike Score
58 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,396/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,547
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
183
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Paramount Unified
District Enrollment
12,042
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,321
District Rank
#12 of 18

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.