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Excellent

#57 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 3% of private schools

Pilgrim School

School

540 S COMMONWEALTH AVE, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 549 schools in Los Angeles. Learn more

Enrollment

328

Student-Teacher

7.6:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Los Angeles

#6 of 137

public schools

California schools

#12 of 366

About Pilgrim School

Pilgrim School stands out as an exceptional public institution serving 328 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Los Angeles. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranking #134 out of 1,790 California schools, Pilgrim School places in the 93rd percentile statewide, demonstrating remarkable academic excellence. The school's intimate learning environment features an outstanding student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1 among its 43 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-educator relationships.

This low ratio is particularly noteworthy for a public school and suggests a commitment to individualized instruction across all grade levels. Pilgrim School's comprehensive PK-12 structure provides families with educational continuity from early childhood through high school graduation, fostering long-term relationships within the school community. The school serves students in the 90020 zip code area, where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an educationally supportive community environment.

Located on South Commonwealth Avenue in Los Angeles, Pilgrim School operates within a diverse urban neighborhood where the median household income is $55,321. The school sits in the heart of one of America's largest cities, offering students access to the rich cultural, educational, and professional opportunities that come with big-city living.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, Pilgrim School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Pilgrim School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$105
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$527
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
5.04x — Strong
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$165,319

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 328 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Pilgrim School compares to 575 public schools serving similar grades in Los Angeles, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.6:1
This School
vs
19.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
328
This School
vs
459
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.2
This School
vs
7.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 56.1% vs 0%
Asian 14.9% vs 0%
Black 6.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.4% vs 0%
Pilgrim School Los Angeles Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Pilgrim School (this school) 8.2
Rise Kohyang Elementary 6.2
Rise Kohyang High 7.0
Rise Kohyang Middle 6.1
Young Oak Kim Academy 8.0
Lafayette Park Primary Center 7.5
Harold McAlister High (Opportunity) 7.4
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy #2 3.6
Equitas Academy 4 4.9
Equitas Academy #2 4.4
Charles White Elementary 9.1
Commonwealth Avenue Elementary 9.2
Hoover Street Elementary 9.5
MacArthur Park Elem Sch for the Visual and Perf Arts 8.0
New Village Girls Academy 5.2
Citizens of the World Charter School Silver Lake 5.3
Dr. Sammy Lee Medical and Health Science Magnet Elementary 5.9
Los Angeles High School of the Arts 8.9
School for the Visual Arts and Humanities 7.3
Ambassador-Global Leadership 6.0
Frank del Olmo Elementary 7.1

Showing 20 of 575 schools. View all schools in Los Angeles

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,324.4
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 63%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 328
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 56.1%
Two or More 15.9%
Asian 14.9%
Black 6.7%
Hispanic 6.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

540 S COMMONWEALTH AVE, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pilgrim School may also want to explore other schools in the area. IVY ROAD SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, NEW COVENANT ACADEMY (rated 6.2/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Los Angeles, see our Los Angeles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Pilgrim School Los Angeles 0.0 mi
Rise Kohyang Elementary Los Angeles 0.2 mi 6.2
Rise Kohyang High Los Angeles 0.2 mi 7.0
Rise Kohyang Middle Los Angeles 0.2 mi 6.1
NEW COVENANT ACADEMY Los Angeles 0.2 mi 6.2
Precious Blood Los Angeles 0.3 mi
Young Oak Kim Academy Los Angeles 0.3 mi 8.0
Lafayette Park Primary Center Los Angeles 0.3 mi 7.5
Equitas Academy #2 Los Angeles 0.4 mi 4.4
Harold McAlister High (Opportunity) Los Angeles 0.3 mi 7.4
Equitas Academy 4 Los Angeles 0.4 mi 4.9
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy #2 Los Angeles 0.4 mi 3.6
Ivy Road School Los Angeles 0.4 mi
Charles White Elementary Los Angeles 0.4 mi 9.1
Commonwealth Avenue Elementary Los Angeles 0.5 mi 9.2
Hoover Street Elementary Los Angeles 0.5 mi 9.5
New Covenant Academy Los Angeles 0.5 mi
IVY ROAD SCHOOL Los Angeles 0.5 mi 7.0
MacArthur Park Elem Sch for the Visual and Perf Arts Los Angeles 0.6 mi 8.0
New Village Girls Academy Los Angeles 0.6 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90020 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,832

Median Home Value

$826,500

Median Rent

$1,734/mo

Population

38,361

College Educated

46%

Homeownership

9%

Avg Commute

31.3 min

Poverty Rate

18.4%

Median Age

36.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pilgrim School has a median household income of $55,832. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $826,500, with a median rent of $1,734/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.4%. 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
CIS Academy Pasadena, CA 8.2
Northern United - Humboldt Charter Eureka, CA 8.2
CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chula Vista, CA 8.0
SACRAMENTO WALDORF SCHOOL Fair Oaks, CA 8.4
Julian Charter Julian, CA 7.9
Murrieta Canyon Academy Murrieta, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pilgrim School

What grades does Pilgrim School serve?

Pilgrim School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Pilgrim School?

Pilgrim School has an enrollment of approximately 328 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pilgrim School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pilgrim School is 7.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Pilgrim School rank in CA?

Pilgrim School is ranked #57 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Pilgrim School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pilgrim School has a composite rating of 8.2 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.

Is Pilgrim School a private school?

Yes, Pilgrim School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Pilgrim School a religious school?

No, Pilgrim School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
94 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
81 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,223/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
328
Gender Split
57% M / 43% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.7 hours
Days Per Year
172 days
Setting
Large City
County
LOS ANGELES
Data Year
2022–2023

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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