Excellent
#1117 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 12% in state
South High
High School · Torrance Unified
4801 Pacific Coast Hwy., Torrance, CA 90505
Enrollment
1,786
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,786
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Torrance
#4 of 33
public schools
California high schools
#182 of 1,892
In district
#3 of 30
Torrance Unified
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About South High
South High is a public high school in Torrance, CA, part of the Torrance Unified. The school serves approximately 1,786 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 23.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.3th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 54% proficiency in math, 22 points above the state average and 62% in reading/language arts, 10 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $110,690, where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at South High is 23.5:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South High — Students at South High score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.4%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How South High Compares
See how South High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 63% (2019) to 64.29% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 70% (2019) to 75.53% (2024).
Location
4801 Pacific Coast Hwy., Torrance, CA 90505
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rancho Vista Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Rolling Hills Estates), which scores notably higher. Another option is Riviera Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Walteria Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Torrance, see our Torrance schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Calle Mayor Middle Torrance | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Edward J. Richardson Middle Torrance | 0.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Seaside Elementary Torrance | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Riviera Elementary Torrance | 0.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Joseph Arnold Elementary Torrance | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| ST LAWRENCE MARTYR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Redondo Beach | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| St. Lawrence Martyr Elementary Redondo Beach | 0.8 mi | — |
| Tulita Elementary Redondo Beach | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Mr. J's Academy Torrance | 1.0 mi | — |
| THE KNOWING GARDEN Redondo Beach | 1.3 mi | — |
| Walteria Elementary Torrance | 1.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Jefferson Middle Torrance | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| RIVIERA HALL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Redondo Beach | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Riviera Hall Lutheran School Redondo Beach | 1.3 mi | — |
| Alta Vista Elementary Redondo Beach | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Anza Elementary Torrance | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| CARDEN SCHOOL Redondo Beach | 1.5 mi | — |
| Rancho Vista Elementary Rolling Hills Estates | 1.7 mi | 9.5 |
| Fresh Roots Forest School Torrance | 1.8 mi | — |
| Silver Spur Elementary Rancho Palos Verdes | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90505 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$110,690
Median Home Value
$1,144,000
Median Rent
$2,338/mo
Population
35,605
College Educated
58.7%
Homeownership
54.1%
Avg Commute
28.8 min
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Median Age
44
Community Profile
The community surrounding South High has a median household income of $110,690. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,144,000, with a median rent of $2,338/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Canyon Crest Academy Encinitas, CA | 8.2 |
| El Camino High South San Francisco, CA | 8.2 |
| La Serna High Whittier, CA | 8.2 |
| Leigh High San Jose, CA | 8.2 |
| Leland High San Jose, CA | 8.2 |
| Monterey High Monterey, CA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South High
What grades does South High serve?
South High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South High?
South High has an enrollment of approximately 1,786 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South High?
The student-teacher ratio at South High is 23.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South High rank in CA?
South High is ranked #1117 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is South High's MySchoolScout rating?
South High 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.
What are the test scores at South High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South High has 54.1% math proficiency and 61.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South High a charter school?
No, South High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South High a Title I school?
No, South High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South High?
19.4% of students at South 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
- Walk Score
- 64 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 34 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 58 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,096/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Torrance). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,786
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 76
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (310) 533-4352
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Torrance Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,109
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,134
- District Rank
- #3 of 30
Other Schools in This District
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.