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Average

#4637 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 49% in state

Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High

High School · Los Angeles Unified

3537 Farmdale Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90016

Enrollment

792

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Los Angeles

#408 of 563

public schools

California high schools

#959 of 1,892

In district

#601 of 769

Los Angeles Unified

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High

Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High is a public high school in Los Angeles serving grades 9 through 12, with an enrollment of 792 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, supported by 45 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school is in the early stages of its improvement journey.

Mathematics proficiency stands at 6% of students performing at or above grade level, while English Language Arts proficiency is 24%. These results indicate significant room for academic growth across the student body. The school's academic score of 2.0 out of 10 reflects these current challenges, and it ranks in the 35th percentile statewide among California high schools.

For families considering Susan Miller Dorsey, it's important to understand the school's current academic landscape and to discuss with school leadership what interventions and support systems are in place to help students advance. The relatively smaller enrollment size compared to many urban high schools may offer opportunities for more personalized attention in some areas. Located on Farmdale Avenue, Susan Miller Dorsey serves the Los Angeles community in a large urban setting.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-22.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.9 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,030

Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High — Students at Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 6.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 23.5%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2024
Math
5.7%
ELA
25%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High Compares

See how Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in CA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers

Location

3537 Farmdale Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Virginia Road Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marvin Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stella Elementary Charter Academy (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Los Angeles, see our Los Angeles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
View Park Continuation Los Angeles 0.1 mi
Coliseum Street Elementary Los Angeles 0.4 mi 8.0
Stella Middle Charter Academy Los Angeles 0.4 mi 6.1
Virginia Road Elementary Los Angeles 0.6 mi 9.3
Hillcrest Drive Elementary Los Angeles 0.7 mi 7.4
Stella Elementary Charter Academy Los Angeles 0.7 mi 8.6
Cienega Elementary Los Angeles 0.7 mi 5.9
ISANA Nascent Academy Los Angeles 0.8 mi 4.0
Marlton Los Angeles 1.0 mi 5.9
ESCUELA PLUS ELEMENTARY Los Angeles 1.2 mi 4.2
New Los Angeles Charter Elementary Los Angeles 1.0 mi 8.3
Baldwin Hills Elementary Los Angeles 1.0 mi 6.9
ROENNE'S SCHOOL Los Angeles 1.2 mi
New Los Angeles Charter Los Angeles 1.4 mi 7.2
Marvin Elementary Los Angeles 1.3 mi 9.1
Maor Academy Los Angeles 1.4 mi
Alta Loma Elementary Los Angeles 1.5 mi 8.2
Audubon Middle Los Angeles 1.4 mi 7.9
Little Citizens Westside Academy #3 Los Angeles 1.3 mi
Lashon Academy City Los Angeles 1.3 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,067

Median Home Value

$919,800

Median Rent

$1,729/mo

Population

46,102

College Educated

31.9%

Homeownership

35.4%

Avg Commute

33.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High has a median household income of $71,067. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $919,800, with a median rent of $1,729/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High

What grades does Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High serve?

Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High?

Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 792 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High rank in CA?

Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High is ranked #4637 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High has 6.5% math proficiency and 23.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High a charter school?

No, Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High a Title I school?

No, Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High?

97.2% of students at Susan Miller Dorsey 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

City Safety
High (2,223/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
792
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
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
#601 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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