The high school you attend matters greatly for college admissions, so picking the right high school to meet your needs is key for students and parents alike. In this article we’re going to cover some of the best high schools in Los Angeles, both public and private, so you get a sense of what your options are. Let’s jump right in!
Top Public High Schools in Los Angeles
The best public schools in Los Angeles are magnet schools, which are selective for admissions, and which draw in top students from around the municipality. You must apply to these schools online, though this is designed to be an easy and streamlined process. You may select up to three magnet schools when you apply; a first choice and two backups. You will be evaluated for admission to each in the order you ranked them.
Admissions to magnet schools is determined based on a points system calculated from your application. The base criteria are:
- Current enrollment. Students currently enrolled in and graduating from a magnet school are at priority for admission to the next level of magnet schools. Students on a waitlist for a magnet school receive a smaller priority boost.
- Enrollment in a predominantly minority school currently.
- Enrollment in an overcrowded school currently.
- If you have a sibling in the same magnet school you are applying to, you receive a small boost to your admissions chances.
Note that these apply to all magnet schools. Academically advanced and college preparatory schools have additional requirements, such as being part of your current school’s gifted and talented program.
All of the magnet schools have racial quotas to ensure there is diversity in the students who attend. Many of these schools use lotteries to determine which of the qualified applicants get to attend.
California Academy of Math and Science
This high school is in the Long Beach school district, but draws students from both this district and Los Angeles. They only admit students as freshmen, and all admissions decisions are based on academic performance in middle school. They are often ranked among the best high schools in the nation.
Around 175 students are admitted each year. Admissions is not ranked, and they go out of their way to admit students from each of its 75 feeder middle schools, to ensure an equity of access. The average SAT score is 1340, the average ACT is 30. The school is located on the campus of California State University at Dominguez Hills, and juniors and seniors are allowed to take college-level courses at the university.
The Science Academy STEM Magnet
This is a combined middle and high school, serving grades 6-12, and is located in North Hollywood. They share a campus with another high school; East Valley High School, but is a distinct administrative entity. The school focuses on a rigorous, STEM-based curriculum, with the goal of preparing students for college. Admissions requires the standard application and a further assessment that they administer to ensure you are academically prepared for the work they require.
While the school is academically quite strong, they do not have as many extracurricular options as some other schools, though the student body is quite passionate. The average SAT score is 1430, the average ACT score is 32. Most graduates stay in California for college, with the top destinations for grads being UCLA, UC Berkeley, and Stanford.
The Girls Academic Leadership Academy
This academy is a rarity, in that it is an all-girls public school; this option usually only exists for private schools. It is a magnet schools and serves girls in grades 6-12 from throughout the Los Angeles school district. The school has a STEM focus specifically, though they do offer a full suite of arts and humanities courses as well. Applying to GALA requires both the LAUSD magnet application and an application to GALA itself; both of these must be completed before the application deadline.
The school is quite competitive academically. The average SAT score is 1250, and the average ACT is 29. The coursework is intended to prepare students for college, and students are required to take science and math classes each year they are in the school. There is also a computer science requirement for graduation. They offer a full suite of AP courses.
High Tech Los Angeles
This is a charter school, rather than a magnet, but operates in a similar way. As the name suggests, HTLA is a school with a technological mindset and is dedicated to preparing students for college. All students are issued a laptop by the school. The curriculum focuses on the A-G requirements of the UC system, with an eye towards preparing students for the college experience. All students are also required to participate in a local internship as part of their graduation requirements.
The school sees significant academic success from its students. The average ACT score is 25, and the average SAT score is 1200. They do not offer AP classes but instead have their own advanced curriculum, which offers similar preparatory experiences. The most popular colleges for graduates are UCLA, Cal State Northridge, and UC Irvine.
Granada Hills Charter
Another charter school, GHC serves students in grades K-12, and many students stay in the school for their entire educational career. Enrollment through the school is via a lottery system run by LAUSD; students must re-enroll each year but do not need to keep participating in the lottery. They are one of the largest charter schools in the country, and focus on preparing students for college. They offer an IB curriculum to high school students, alongside a full complement of 29 different AP courses. Students may choose which they take advantage of, if any.
The average SAT score is 1290, and the average ACT score is 29. The school focuses on preparing students for college, and most graduates go onto university. The most popular colleges among graduates are UCLA, Cal State Northridge, and UC San Diego.
Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy
With the full title of Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy (renamed from simply Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy), this is a public high school associated with Los Angeles Harbor College. Freshmen and sophomores enroll in college preparatory courses, while juniors and seniors can enroll in college courses alongside Harbor College underclassmen. Students can earn one or possibly several associates degrees by the time they graduate. Admissions is a two-step process, requiring both the LAUSD application, and an application submitted through the school directly.
The school focuses on a college preparatory curriculum, in that students are able to take college courses or equivalents for much of the time that they are in the school. The average SAT score is 1200, and the average ACT score is 26. The most popular colleges for graduates are UCLA, UC Irvine, and UC San Diego.
Private Schools
Private schools can offer opportunities public schools do not, as many have smaller classes and more faculty, and more financial resources to offer advanced options to their students. Most private schools also practice some degree of selective admissions and seek to ensure that all of the students they admit are academically prepared and motivated.
Note, however, that not all private schools are created equal, and price is not necessarily a sign of quality. Indeed, some private schools underperform when compared to public schools. Each school must be evaluated separately, and judged on its own merits, to see which will best support your needs.
Admissions to private schools vary, but generally require:
- An initial inquiry or interest form
- An online application
- Essays
- An interview
- Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
As with public magnet schools, the most common points of entry for these schools are 6th and 9th grade, though some begin students in kindergarten and continue from there. It is very hard to get into any school outside of these, as spaces generally open up due to attrition.
Harvard-Westlake School
Despite the name, the school is not associated with Harvard University, though they do share high academic standards. This school enrolls students in grades 7-12. The name comes from the merger of two schools; the Harvard School for Boys and the Westlake School for Girls into a single coeducational institution. Note that the school treats grades 7-9 as a middle school, and 10-12 as the high school; admissions is most commonly done entering grades 7 and 9 in spite of this.
The school is focused on a college preparatory curriculum, though they do not offer AP courses, choosing to offer their own advanced and honors courses instead. The average SAT score is 1480, and the average ACT score is 33. Tuition is $46,900, though financial aid is available.
Flintridge Preparatory School
Most commonly referred to as Flintridge Prep, this school is located in La Canada, Flintridge, outside of LA proper, though still in Los Angeles County. The school serves students in grades 7-12; admissions are generally done for grades 7 and 9, with applications submitted online. The curriculum is focused on preparing students for college. The curriculum allows students to choose between a range of AP coursework and honors courses on other specialized subjects offered by the school. They have a well-rounded focus, with students taking a range of STEM and humanities courses.
Flintrdge’s tuition is $44,750, with financial aid available for students who need it. The average SAT score is 1440, and the average ACT score is 32. They send students to colleges all over the country, but the most popular with graduates are USC, UCLA, and UC Berkeley.
Windward School
Located in the Mar Vista neighborhood of LA, Windward serves students in grades 7-12. Admissions is generally to grades 7 and 9, and applications must be submitted online. Windward is a college preparatory school that focuses on preparing students for the rigors of higher education. They offer a mix of AP and home grown honors courses to students, allowing them to specialize where they will. They offer a number of courses in highly specialized areas, allowing students to explore fields they otherwise may not encounter in high school.
Tuition at Windward is $48,863 annually, though financial aid is available. The average SAT score is 1420, and the average ACT is 32. The most popular colleges among graduates are UCLA, UC Berkeley, and USC.
Sage Hill School
Located in Newport Coast, just outside of Los Angeles proper, the Sage Hill School is a college preparatory school for students in grades 9-12. It is in Orange County, rather than Los Angeles County, but many of its students make the commute from LA. Applications must be submitted online. While it is possible to apply for all grades, most students admitted are those who apply for 9th. They have no attached middle school and admit students from many different local schools each year.
Sage Hill offers a full suite of AP courses to students, and has additional advanced honors courses in more niche subjects for interested students. They have no particular focus, instead giving students the room to explore academically. The average SAT score is 1440, and the average ACT score is 32. Tuition for Sage Hill is $53,770 annually, financial aid is available.
Marlborough School
Located in the Hancock Park neighborhood of LA, Marlborough was founded in 1889. It is an all-girls school serving students in grades 7-12. Applications to Marlborough are handled online; the primary points of entry to Marlborough are in grades 7 and 9, however, applications are accepted for every grade except 12. Note that Marlborough is divided into the middle school for grades 7-9, and the upper school for grades 10-12. These designations are purely internal.
Marlborough offers a number of AP classes, and further honors coursework in other areas outside of or beyond what is offered by APs. They have no particular academic focus but offer a very broad array of courses. The average SAT score is 1410, and the average ACT score is 33. They are often ranked among the best all-girls schools in the country. Tuition is $49,950 annually, financial aid is available.
Sierra Canyon School
Located in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles, the Sierra Canyon school was founded in 1978 and serves students in grades pre-K through 12. It was originally only for younger students; the high school was added in 2004 and proved quite successful. Applications are done online; students may apply for grades Pre-K through 11, though the primary points of entry are Pre-K, K, 6, and 9. The different school divisions have different buildings on their campus.
They offer a full set of AP coursework, alongside other honors courses in niche subjects not covered by AP exams. They do not have a particular academic focus, but seek to prepare students for college generally. The average SAT score is 1360, and the average ACT score is 30. Tuition is $42,800 annually; financial aid is available. The most popular colleges among graduates are UCLA, USC, and UC Berkeley.
Final Thoughts
This is, of course, not a full list of all of the schools in Los Angeles; LA is the second largest city in the US, and has more than a few high schools to serve its population. We hope that this list has given you an idea of what the options are for LA high schools, and whether you would be best served by a public or private school.
Of course, what a student needs from their time in high school is highly individualized; each student is unique and has unique needs. To discuss your high school transition, and how to find the school to best match your needs, schedule a free consultation today. We have a long experience working with students and are always happy to help them along their educational journey.
