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#7345 of 9,533 schools in CA

Watts Learning Center Charter Middle

Middle School · Watts Learning Center Charter Middle District

8800 South San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90003

Charter

Enrollment

370

Student-Teacher

26.4:1

Score

5.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Los Angeles

#510 of 563

public schools

California middle schools

#1,103 of 1,349

Equity

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Watts Learning Center Charter Middle

Watts Learning Center Charter Middle is a charter school located in the heart of Los Angeles, California. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, this middle school has an enrollment of 370 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of about 26.4:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.1 out of 10, placing it in the 29th percentile among California schools.

Academically, Watts Learning Center Charter Middle focuses on student development and has room for improvement. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 41% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 21% are at that level. The school is situated in a bustling urban environment where it plays an important role in the community.

Watts Learning Center Charter Middle provides a supportive learning atmosphere with dedicated teachers who work to enhance academic skills and foster student growth.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Watts Learning Center Charter Middle is 26.4:1, 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.

Watts Learning Center Charter Middle is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg-13.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.9 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)18%
vs. Expected+13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,878

Watts Learning Center Charter Middle — Students at Watts Learning Center Charter Middle score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.6%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 41.2%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 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
48%
2024
Math
19.5%
ELA
39.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.2/10.

How Watts Learning Center Charter Middle Compares

See how Watts Learning Center Charter Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
23th percentile in CA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

8800 South San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watts Learning Center Charter Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4 (rated 5.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, KIPP Academy of Opportunity (rated 5.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Los Angeles, see our Los Angeles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Mervyn M. Dymally High Los Angeles 0.0 mi 6.4
South Park Elementary Los Angeles 0.3 mi 6.1
Mother of Sorrows Los Angeles 0.3 mi
MOTHER OF SORROWS SCHOOL Los Angeles 0.3 mi 5.2
Dr. Owen Lloyd Knox Elementary Los Angeles 0.3 mi 8.8
Ninety-Third Street Elementary Los Angeles 0.4 mi 7.6
Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4 Los Angeles 0.7 mi 5.9
John Hope Continuation Los Angeles 0.7 mi 4.5
Watts Learning Center Los Angeles 0.7 mi 5.5
John C. Fremont Senior High Los Angeles 0.9 mi 6.6
KIPP Ignite Academy Los Angeles 0.8 mi 4.0
McKinley Avenue Elementary Los Angeles 0.9 mi 6.8
KIPP Academy of Opportunity Los Angeles 0.8 mi 5.5
KIPP Empower Academy Los Angeles 0.8 mi 3.9
Charles W. Barrett Elementary Los Angeles 0.9 mi 8.5
Ninety-Ninth Street Elementary Los Angeles 1.0 mi 7.6
Seventy-Fifth Street Elementary Los Angeles 1.1 mi 7.0
Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High Los Angeles 1.0 mi 7.1
Sheenway School and Culture Center Los Angeles 1.1 mi
SHEENWAY SCHOOL AND CULTURE CENTER Los Angeles 1.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,781

Median Home Value

$547,600

Median Rent

$1,515/mo

Population

71,708

College Educated

7.1%

Homeownership

26.6%

Avg Commute

36.5 min

Poverty Rate

26.3%

Median Age

30.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Watts Learning Center Charter Middle has a median household income of $54,781. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $547,600, with a median rent of $1,515/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Animo Jefferson Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA 5.1
Happy Valley Elementary Anderson, CA 5.1
Lakeview Middle Watsonville, CA 5.1
Nordhoff Jr. High Ojai, CA 5.1
Riverside Meadows Intermediate Plumas Lake, CA 5.1
Sisson Mount Shasta, CA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Watts Learning Center Charter Middle

What grades does Watts Learning Center Charter Middle serve?

Watts Learning Center Charter Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Watts Learning Center Charter Middle?

Watts Learning Center Charter Middle has an enrollment of approximately 370 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Watts Learning Center Charter Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Watts Learning Center Charter Middle is 26.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Watts Learning Center Charter Middle rank in CA?

Watts Learning Center Charter Middle is ranked #7345 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Watts Learning Center Charter Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Watts Learning Center Charter Middle has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Watts Learning Center Charter Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watts Learning Center Charter Middle has 20.6% math proficiency and 41.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Watts Learning Center Charter Middle a charter school?

Yes, Watts Learning Center Charter Middle is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Watts Learning Center Charter Middle a Title I school?

No, Watts Learning Center Charter Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watts Learning Center Charter Middle?

99.2% of students at Watts Learning Center Charter Middle 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Watts Learning Center Charter Middle District
District Enrollment
370
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,003
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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