A+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Academics
    A+
  2. Diversity
    A
  3. Teachers
    A+
  4. College Readiness
    A+
  5. Clubs & Activities
    A
  6. Sports
    A+
Address
1030 E California Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91106
View Nearby Homes
Telephone
(626) 396-6300
Website
polytechnic.org/page/Home
Organization Memberships
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

Tuition

Yearly Tuition
$34,800
Tuition is for the highest grade offered and may have changed for the current school year. For more information, please contact the school.

Polytechnic School Rankings

Niche ranks nearly 4,000 private high schools based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

Academics

Average Graduation Rate
—
Average SAT
1410
63 responses
Average ACT
32
48 responses
Popular Colleges

Niche users from this school are most interested in the following colleges.

Culture & Safety

Poll
100%
of students agree that they feel safe at their school.8 responses
Poll
100%
of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there.8 responses
Poll
What are your favorite school events or traditions?
Report
  • Francis Wass Day - an extra day off
    24%
  • Rivalry Week-a week of competitions between grades
    24%
  • The Musical and Dance Show
    12%
  • Fun Food Friday - student orgs. cater lunch
    9%
  • Dances
    9%
  • Econ Week
    9%
  • "I Believe That We Will Win Chant"
    6%

Students

Diversity
A
Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
Students
868
100%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive.10 responses
100%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy.10 responses
100%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic.10 responses

Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
National
16:1
Poll
85%
of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons.13 responses
Poll
100%
of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students.13 responses
Poll
100%
of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom.13 responses

Clubs & Activities

Clubs & Activities
A
Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
Girls Athletic Participation
—
Boys Athletic Participation
—
88%
of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.8 responses
63%
of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need.8 responses
75%
of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations.8 responses
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Polytechnic School Reviews

82 reviews
All Categories
There are so many opportunities at the school, that you can honestly do anything you want to pursue your passion. The teachers are always there for you, and are there to help you improve all the time. The academics are strong, and it's honestly so manageable.

Poly does truly have a really competitive environment. Because the school is so small, you get to know everyone, and you realize the amount of competition that exists within every grade. Sometimes, you really just feel stupid in a class (I know I have). But I love this school so so much, and I have honestly met some of the best people in the whole world. Though it is competitive, everyone is welcoming, and once you feel a part of the Poly community, you feel like you can conquer the world. I am so happy I chose this school and don't regret my decision to come. GO POLY!
Review Polytechnic School
If you understand that you are attending a really challenging school and you are willing to put your best effort in (and you have the time to do all of the work after school), then this is the place for you. The teachers are absolutely incredible, there are so many opportunities for sports, clubs, traveling, etc. I would say that there is a significant sense of academic competitiveness. There are a lot of parents of Poly students who put too much pressure on their kids so make sure to check in on your stress level and keep communicating with your advisor! If you want relatively free evenings after school, don't count on it. There is a lot of homework. I would not have chosen another school. Poly is incredible and the community is very progressive (of course there is always more to improve upon). The LGBTQ scene has improved a lot and is on its way. Bullying is rarely a problem... Poly takes bullying very seriously and will not hesitate to suspend/kick you out. GO PANTHERS. p.s. Poly has one of the most beautiful high school campuses ever.
High School was hard. Very, very hard. If you are not ready to work your butt off for more than 3 years, do not consider attending Polytechnic.
It's hard to be happy at Poly if you aren't doing your work and staying on top of your classes. If I worked less hard and weren't at the top of my class, my experience would've been much different. If I weren't very smart, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed my time at Poly due to its extremely competitive, college-focused nature.
But all people are different, so I cannot say that people who aren't all-star Poly scholars are having a bad time, but I CAN say that if I were doing poorly, or even doing "just fine," I wouldn't have been happy. You are surrounded by some of the smartest kids in the country, and for me, not being one of them would be demotivating.
Note: It's extremely difficult to move up and down the "academic hierarchy". Kids who establish themselves as smart in the beginning, stay at the top.