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Average

#5116 of 9,533 schools in CA

Phineas Banning Senior High

High School · Los Angeles Unified

1527 Lakme Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744

Enrollment

2,437

Student-Teacher

19.8:1

Score

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wilmington

#8 of 12

public schools

California high schools

#1,070 of 1,892

In district

#627 of 769

Los Angeles Unified

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Phineas Banning Senior High

Phineas Banning Senior High serves 2,437 students in grades 9-12 in Wilmington, California, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 19.8:1 and 123 full-time equivalent teachers. This large public high school ranks in the 52nd percentile among California schools, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10. The school shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 49% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, with 17% of students achieving proficiency or above. These academic indicators reflect opportunities for continued focus on student development and achievement. Located on Lakme Avenue in Wilmington, the school serves a diverse working-class community where the median household income is $58,869 and nearly one in five families faces economic challenges.

The surrounding neighborhood of 54,277 residents is characterized by its industrial heritage and proximity to the Port of Los Angeles, creating a unique urban environment where median home values reach $557,600. Phineas Banning Senior High operates within Los Angeles County's expansive educational landscape, serving students in a community that embodies the hardworking spirit of this historic harbor area of Southern California.

What Parents Should Know

Phineas Banning Senior High is a large school with 2,437 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 Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.6%
Math vs. State Avg-10.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.2 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.5%
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

Phineas Banning Senior High — Students at Phineas Banning Senior High score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 19.4%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 50.1%
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
25%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
45%
2024
Math
17.2%
ELA
48.7%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Phineas Banning Senior High Compares

See how Phineas Banning Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
46th percentile in CA
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
123 teachers

Location

1527 Lakme Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Phineas Banning Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy (rated 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagle Tree Continuation (rated 7.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Carson), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Carson Senior High (rated 6.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Carson), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wilmington, see our Wilmington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Dan M. Issacs Avalon High Wilmington 0.2 mi 4.6
Scholarship Prep - South Bay Wilmington 0.4 mi 4.7
Broad Avenue Elementary Wilmington 0.5 mi 7.8
Harry Bridges Span Wilmington 0.5 mi 6.0
Fries Avenue Elementary Wilmington 0.5 mi 6.6
Wilmington Mid Sci Tech Engr Arts Math (STEAM) Magnet Wilmington 0.8 mi 8.3
HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Wilmington 0.8 mi 6.6
Gulf Avenue Elementary Wilmington 0.9 mi 7.0
Wilmington Park Elementary Wilmington 1.1 mi 8.7
SS PETER & PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wilmington 1.2 mi 5.1
Sts. Peter and Paul School Wilmington 1.2 mi
George De La Torre Jr. Elementary Wilmington 1.3 mi 6.4
Catskill Avenue Elementary Carson 1.3 mi 6.0
Hawaiian Avenue Elementary Wilmington 1.6 mi 5.8
Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy Wilmington 1.5 mi 9.0
Two Hundred Thirty-Second Place Elementary Carson 1.8 mi 8.3
Dolores Street Elementary Carson 1.9 mi 7.4
VERMONT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harbor City 1.7 mi 4.1
Eagle Tree Continuation Carson 2.0 mi 7.2
Carson Senior High Carson 2.1 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90744 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,440

Median Home Value

$596,100

Median Rent

$1,426/mo

Population

53,678

College Educated

9.4%

Homeownership

35.8%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

19%

Median Age

32.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Phineas Banning Senior High has a median household income of $61,440. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $596,100, with a median rent of $1,426/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.0%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria, CA 6.2
Helix High La Mesa, CA 6.2
Lakeside High Lake Elsinore, CA 6.2
Mission Hills High San Marcos, CA 6.2
Oceanside High Oceanside, CA 6.2
Pacheco High Los Banos, CA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Phineas Banning Senior High

What grades does Phineas Banning Senior High serve?

Phineas Banning Senior High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Phineas Banning Senior High?

Phineas Banning Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 2,437 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Phineas Banning Senior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Phineas Banning Senior High 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 Phineas Banning Senior High rank in CA?

Phineas Banning Senior High is ranked #5116 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Phineas Banning Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Phineas Banning Senior High has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Phineas Banning Senior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Phineas Banning Senior High has 19.4% math proficiency and 50.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Phineas Banning Senior High a charter school?

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

Is Phineas Banning Senior High a Title I school?

No, Phineas Banning Senior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Phineas Banning Senior High?

89.9% of students at Phineas Banning Senior 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
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
79 Very Bikeable
County Safety
Low (245/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,437
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
123
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.9%
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
#627 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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