Very Good
#2163 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 23% in state
Whittier High
High School · Whittier Union High
12417 East Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA 90601
Enrollment
1,710
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,710
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Whittier
#15 of 42
public schools
California high schools
#374 of 1,892
In district
#5 of 7
Whittier Union High
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Whittier High
Whittier High serves 1,710 students in grades 9-12 in this established suburban community of Los Angeles County. With 80 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio while earning strong recognition as a top-performing California high school. The school demonstrates solid academic achievement, ranking in the 82nd percentile statewide at #1,694 out of 9,566 California schools.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 63% scoring proficient or above, while math performance at 44% proficient indicates an area with room for continued growth. These results contribute to Whittier High's impressive 7.7 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school draws from a stable suburban neighborhood where families enjoy a median household income of $96,209 and median home values of $708,400.
With 31% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low 9.1% poverty rate, the surrounding ZIP code of 30,667 residents reflects a middle-to-upper-middle-class community that values education. Located on East Philadelphia Street, Whittier High sits in the heart of this large suburban area that combines residential neighborhoods with the educational opportunities and community resources that families seek when choosing where to raise their children.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Whittier High is 21.4:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Whittier High — Students at Whittier High score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.3%
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: 9.2/10.
How Whittier High Compares
See how Whittier High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 43.54% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 61% (2019) to 63.02% (2024).
Location
12417 East Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA 90601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whittier High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Evergreen Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Longfellow Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Whittier, see our Whittier schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION SCHOOL Whittier | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary Whittier | 0.3 mi | — |
| LAD N LASSIE PRESCHOOL Whittier | 0.4 mi | — |
| HADLEY SCHOOL Whittier | 0.5 mi | — |
| Hadley Whittier | 0.5 mi | — |
| WHITTIER FRIENDS SCHOOL Whittier | 0.5 mi | — |
| Whittier Friends School Whittier | 0.5 mi | — |
| KEYSTONE MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL WHITTIER Whittier | 0.6 mi | — |
| Keystone Montessori Preschool Whittier Whittier | 0.6 mi | — |
| PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Whittier | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Longfellow Elementary Whittier | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| B'nai Ha Aliyah - Children of Ascent Academy Whittier | 0.6 mi | — |
| The Broadoaks School of Whittier College Whittier | 0.8 mi | — |
| Walter F. Dexter Middle Whittier | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Whittier Independent Study Whittier | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Lou Henry Hoover School of Fine Arts Whittier | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Christian Sorensen Science Academy Whittier | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Lydia Jackson College Preparatory Academy Whittier | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Evergreen Elementary Whittier | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Keystone Academy Santa Fe Springs | 1.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$102,267
Median Home Value
$729,000
Median Rent
$1,862/mo
Population
30,472
College Educated
31.1%
Homeownership
62.1%
Avg Commute
32.9 min
Poverty Rate
9%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whittier High has a median household income of $102,267. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $729,000, with a median rent of $1,862/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. 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
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Analy High Sebastopol, CA | 7.6 |
| Beverly Hills High Beverly Hills, CA | 7.6 |
| Brea Olinda High Brea, CA | 7.6 |
| Campolindo High Moraga, CA | 7.6 |
| Foothill High Tustin, CA | 7.6 |
| Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High Los Angeles, CA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whittier High
What grades does Whittier High serve?
Whittier High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Whittier High?
Whittier High has an enrollment of approximately 1,710 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittier High?
The student-teacher ratio at Whittier High is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whittier High rank in CA?
Whittier High is ranked #2163 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Whittier High's MySchoolScout rating?
Whittier High has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Whittier High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whittier High has 41.8% math proficiency and 61.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whittier High a charter school?
No, Whittier High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whittier High a Title I school?
No, Whittier High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whittier High?
86.3% of students at Whittier 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
- 1,710
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (562) 698-8121
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Whittier Union High- District Enrollment
- 10,223
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,374
- District Rank
- #5 of 7
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
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