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Very Good

#1835 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 19% 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

7.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,835 of 9,539

In Whittier

#15 of 42

public schools

In district

#5 of 7

Whittier Union High

Equity

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Whittier High

7.9/10

High School in Whittier · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Mary of the Assumption School

5.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary

Nearby

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Whittier High

Whittier High is a public high school in Whittier, CA, part of Whittier Union High. Whittier High serves approximately 1,710 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Whittier High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,835 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Whittier High show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Whittier High runs 21.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

35% of students at Whittier High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+15.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+27.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College Readiness6.9Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate94%
AP Participation19.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,374
Chronic Absenteeism35.3%

Whittier High — Students at Whittier High score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 44.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 59.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
53%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
66%
2011
Math
60%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
71%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
58%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
61%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
59%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
61%
2020*
Math
43%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
60%
2024
Math
43.5%
ELA
63%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Whittier High Compares

See how Whittier High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
81th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
Excellent
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.6
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
19.9% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·28 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Longfellow Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Christian Sorensen Science Academy (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 7.6
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 5.9
Whittier Independent Study Whittier 0.9 mi 4.3
Lou Henry Hoover School of Fine Arts Whittier 0.9 mi 6.3
Christian Sorensen Science Academy Whittier 0.9 mi 6.9
Lydia Jackson College Preparatory Academy Whittier 1.1 mi 6.0
Evergreen Elementary Whittier 1.1 mi 6.3
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aragon High San Mateo, CA 7.9
Benjamin Franklin Senior High Los Angeles, CA 7.9
Capistrano Valley High Mission Viejo, CA 7.9
Edward R. Roybal Learning Center Los Angeles, CA 7.9
El Toro High Lake Forest, CA 7.9
Foothill High Tustin, CA 7.9

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 ranks #1,835 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Whittier High's MySchoolScout rating?

Whittier High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Whittier High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Whittier High has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
89 Very Walkable
Bike Score
68 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.3%
4-Year Graduation
94.0%

District

Whittier Union High
District Enrollment
10,223
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,374
District Rank
#5 of 7

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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