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
Enrollment
2,437
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Phineas Banning Senior High — Students at Phineas Banning Senior High score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 17.24% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 48.65% (2024).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (310) 847-3700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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