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2019 Best Schools for STEM in the Los Angeles AreaAbout this List

Explore the best schools for STEM in your area. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 281
Best for STEM
281 results

  1. Harvard-Westlake School

    • Private School
    • Studio City, CA
    • 7-12
    • 112
    1 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Freshman: Harvard-Westlake truly changed my life. Since coming to H-W as a new seventh grader and still, I have had experiences impossible anywhere else. The competitive nature of the community pushes me to go further than I thought I could, and I have become interested in so many topics that I never thought I would be interested in. Due to the large class sizes, I have met and made so many friends with similar interests as I have, and many with different interests that opened me to even more experiences. If you are considering applying, there is definitely something for you here, and you will not regret your decision!
    Read 112 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,598 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  2. Polytechnic School

    • Private School
    • Pasadena, CA
    • K-12
    • 90
    2 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Junior: 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!
    Read 90 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 859 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  3. Flintridge Preparatory School

    • Private School
    • La Canada Flintridge, CA
    • 7-12
    • 88
    3 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Alum: As a recent alum of Flintridge Prep, I can attest to the benefits it’s left me with. I am currently attending my #1 college (thanks to college counseling) and Flintridge focused on finding all of my classmates a college that fit us and wasn’t necessarily based on rank. I love Prep because of their spanish program that took me to Nicaragua and spurred my interest in public health (which is now my major). The teachers truly love their students and their jobs which is why this school is particularly unique. They want you to succeed and they push you to put in the hard work so that you truly are prepared for college. My freshman year began with a smooth transition and I feel capable in taking on my course work as a double major with a minor. Prep left me able to study independently, be professional, speak in public, thrive as an individual, and how to write a good email to my professors (a rare skill I’ve been told). I love this school, I really truly do, and I was there for 6 years!
    Read 88 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 500 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  4. Sponsored

    Los Gatos Christian School

    • Private School
    • Los Gatos, CA
    • PK, K-8
    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 354 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  5. Marlborough School

    • Private School
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 7-12
    • 114
    4 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Senior: Marlborough is the perfect school for ambitious, outspoken, and passionate girls. It is quite challenging academically, but there is freedom to tailor your schedule if you are more interested in certain subjects over others. Marlborough also offers many interesting course electives so that each student is able to find at least one class that they are passionate about. The teachers are amazing: engaging, humorous, flexible, and kind. Lastly, although occasionally frustrating, Marlborough's all-girls environment is truly conducive to learning and allows for a greater sense of community and camaraderie among students.
    Read 114 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 533 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  6. San Marino High School

    • San Marino Unified School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 242
    5 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Senior: I've been at SMHS for the past four years, and overall, I've had a good experience here. Most of the teachers are great - helpful, very knowledgeable, and readily available. However, there are definitely a few that are on the opposite end of the spectrum, but, luckily, I haven't encountered many of those! The environment is rather competitive and somewhat stressful, especially if you're in all or mostly AP and honors courses, but if you ever find it too overwhelming, counselors are easily met, and I've heard there are other resources you can turn to as well!
    Read 242 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,200 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  7. Troy High School

    • Fullerton Joint Union High School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 771
    6 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Alum: Troy High School is not your average American public high school. As you probably may have heard, we excel both in academics and athletics, with multiple accolades and recognitions on national levels. The school population has always fostered a safe learning environment -- we are very inclusive, with a special education program and multiple cultural organizations, and bullying seldom takes place. Although the academic courses I took were very rigorous, I have never regretted taking them because they gave me a strong work ethic and allowed me to develop a passion for learning. Go Warriors!
    Read 771 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,755 Students
    • 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  10. Whitney High School

    • ABC Unified School District, CA
    • 7-12
    • 325
    7 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Junior: Whitney High School is rated as the #1 High School for college preparation, according to the U.S. World News Report. I was proud to say that I attend Whitney because of this, yet it was through empty words. Now that I am currently a junior at Whitney High School, I discovered why I love Whitney so much. The student body is full of open-minded, innovative, and competitive students, who care about making a difference in the world. The welcoming environment of Whitney’s small student body (only a 1,001 students!) creates a community where I can be comfortable sharing my ideas and work with others. The competitive energy and determination in everyone positively influences me to do the same and the knowledgeable staff makes it even better. Through their guidance and support, I was able to figure out my passions and work out a plan for my future. While many perceive Whitney’s selective admissions process negatively, I finally see the opposite.
    Read 325 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,011 Students
    • 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  11. Westridge School

    • Private School
    • Pasadena, CA
    • 4-12
    • 82
    8 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Freshman: Great school with amazing teachers eager to make each student successful. The classes are relatively small with a size of 15-20 and the teachers try their utmost best to encourage participation from their students. The school is very accepting of all identities whether it be religious, sexual, etc. and teaches women to reach their potential. Not only does this school work to boost women’s confidence, but it also is a very comfortable environment to learn. Our school is mostly known for our outstanding English department. My freshman teacher, Mr. Raines teaches us beyond the standard curriculum by coalescing everything learned in class with real life situations. The only complaint I have is that some students lack motivation and interfere with the ideal learning environment. Many don’t pay attention in class and the teachers seem not to care. Regardless, Westridge has taught me so much ma di am very thankful for being provided with such resources to enhance my learning.
    Read 82 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 500 Students
    • 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  12. Chadwick School

    • Private School
    • Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
    • K-12
    • 71
    9 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Parent: What an amazing place Chadwick is! Academically, the small class sizes allow the teachers time to adapt to the needs of the kids. In my own experience at the school I was amazed when I went to college and found classes almost universally to be a breeze thanks to Chadwick. The school entirely subscribes to a whole child philosophy, where you can load up your schedule with as many challenging classes as you like with a talented group of students, but they strongly encourage going beyond traditional academics: Outdoor ed – Each year your child will embark upon an outdoor education trip as a class where they form friendships and lifelong bonds and challenging themselves mentally and physically in ways you just can’t in the classroom. Performing and visual arts – Your child will be strongly encouraged to get outside of their comfort zone and participate in a rigorous, well-developed arts curriculum. I can confidently say Chadwick is a very special place.
    Read 71 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 830 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  14. Windward School

    • Private School
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 7-12
    • 61
    10 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Parent: Windward truly offers a rigorous academic environment that is balanced and nurturing. The student body is the most diverse of the Los Angeles area private schools, and there seems to be far less of the social pressures you see at other private schools. The administration is accessible and fully supports parental involvement. There are many opportunities for parents to volunteer and be involved in student life. Windward's teaching approach is cutting edge and progressive. An excellent school all around.
    Read 61 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 550 Students
    • 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  15. Northwood High School

    • Irvine Unified School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 442
    11 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Senior: If you're a high achieving student (your schedule is loaded with either honors classes freshman year, or APs your junior and senior year), Northwood can be a very competitive environment. I was a relatively "average" high achieving student and it was pretty stressful for me.

    I will say though, as a school in a relatively affluent community, Northwood has TONS of resources. VAPA is super strong and ROP classes are extremely well-stocked (video production and culinary classes are AMAZING.)
    On the flip side, our sports teams (particularly football, has a pretty bad rep). School spirit is sometimes okay. But in the group I hang out with, it's pretty lacking. Will definitely differ from your friend group to friend group.

    Overall, a pretty high-intensity school where people can be a bit more focused on academics than they should be, but not a bad school at all. Most English/Humanities teachers are pretty great too!
    Read 442 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,240 Students
    • 28:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  16. University High School

    • Irvine Unified School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 425
    12 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Senior: I loved going to University! I'm a senior, and today is my last day. I am eternally grateful for my 4 amazing, exciting high school years. Teachers and administration at UHS are truly amazing, supportive, and patient. I've never had a bad teacher here. Students are very nice...there is a wonderful sense of community. UHS's advanced courses and wide range of electives, as well as special education program prove that students learn at their own pace. In my classes, we did lots of hands-on, engaging learning. UHS has an AMAZING athletics program as well as fine arts. We also have an outstanding club called Best Buddies, where students who join are paired up with special needs students and hang out with them, and even go on field trips! I am very excited for the next 4 years I will be spending at Harvard in Massachusetts. There are so many fun events here, and most importantly, Trojan pride.
    Read 425 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,617 Students
    • 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  19. Oxford Academy

    • Anaheim Union High School District, CA
    • 7-12
    • 563
    13 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Junior: Students at Oxford Academy are surrounded by a protective bubble that separates them and protects them from many of the typical dangers that are associated with high school such as drugs and bullying. Students at Oxford are truly part of a family as each grade is composed of 200 carefully selected students that are together for six years. The true reflection of a community and familial aspect of Oxford Academy is reflected by my grade especially: when a student passed away in our grade, our class united and supported one another through hard times. Despite such a great community, Oxford is a competitive environment that sometimes causes students to question their worth and harbor insecurities as our student body is composed of exceptional students. We literally have students who have met the president or been to Antarctica! However, despite such drawbacks, this competitive environment pushes every student to push their boundaries and truly reach their full potential.
    Read 563 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,208 Students
    • 28:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  20. Arcadia High School

    • Arcadia Unified School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 964
    14 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Senior: Amazing community with large amounts of opportunities. However, it's not very diverse so there is some cultural ignorance. Highly competitive both in academics and sports. The teachers are absolutely amazing!
    Read 964 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 3,424 Students
    • 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  21. Fairmont Preparatory Academy

    • Private School
    • Anaheim, CA
    • 9-12
    • 45
    15 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Parent: Fairmont Preparatory Academy is a wonderful school with great teachers, faculty and staff! The students and families are wonderful as well! I am grateful and truly appreciate the school's diversity, college readiness, safety, resources, and sincere love and support of all the teachers and faculty.

    This is truly a wonderful school and my family is blessed to be apart it. Thank you Fairmont Preparatory Academy, for providing many positive and memorable opportunities and experiences, but most importantly for making a difference in our children's lives!
    Read 45 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 577 Students
    • 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  22. The Webb Schools

    • Private School
    • Claremont, CA
    • 9-12
    • 72
    16 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Works Here: The Webb Schools are unique in that you get the benefit of two schools in one plus a world-class fully accredited paleontology museum - all wrapped up in geographic proximity to the Claremont Colleges and neighboring Los Angeles. The culture is one of high academic standards, personal attention, and independent living combined with a fun and casual atmosphere that fosters lifelong friendships and strong bonds with adults. And yes, the ultimate measure of a college preparatory schools is college placement and readiness. This school delivers.
    Read 72 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 416 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  23. Viewpoint School

    • Private School
    • Calabasas, CA
    • K-12
    • 87
    17 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Parent: We love Viewpoint School, it is beyond our expectations. The school is beautifully cited on an enormous campus with state of the art facilities. The athletics and art facilities are impressive. Academics are rigorous and the school is dedicated to developing well rounded students. We are impressed that studio art, violin, French and team sports are all included before 3 pm and part of a standard schedule. Better yet, the school carefully crafts schedules to make managing all of these activities possible and not overwhelming. Teachers and the administration are intelligent and responsive. The school has a sophisticated system (MyViewpoint) for communicating with teachers and for managing schedules, assignments and time. The student body is welcoming, inclusive and motivated. Parent involvement is impressive - parents make an effort to be involved.
    Read 87 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,215 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  26. Sage Hill School

    • Private School
    • Newport Coast, CA
    • 9-12
    • 59
    18 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Senior: Sage offers an incredible education to students who really work hard and aim to achieve success. Classes are easy to get into and the teachers are very kind and supportive. Additionally, the wide variety of clubs gives everyone an opportunity to get involved. My absolute favorite thing about Sage is its Spring at Sage program, where, after second semester finals, students are treated to cool seminars or international/domestic trips. Sage does falter in its student culture, as peer pressure is very high, and people tend to focus more on the grade rather than the learning material. All in all, this is an excellent high school you should definitely consider!
    Read 59 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 545 Students
    • 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  27. Diamond Bar High School

    • Walnut Valley Unified School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 683
    19 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Alum: School had excellent academic rigor, extracurricular opportunities, and utilization of technology. Most educational aspects felt very up to date, but had strange allocation of resources. It seemed ironic that we had carts full of laptops while the band door was missing a door handle for several months, or bathrooms were very low quality. Most teachers put thought and creativity into their lesson plans and actively tried to engage students with few reading off powerpoint slides and depending on rote memorization. Music program was amazing and really strived to achieve top quality performance and practice. USB events were mostly beneficial but some were trite and expensive.
    Read 683 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 3,061 Students
    • 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  28. Palos Verdes Peninsula High School

    • Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 567
    20 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Senior: Pen High has a school culture that allows students to not be afraid to showcase their true selves. It is a place that gives students a safe environment to step out of their comfort zones and continually grow to become a better version of themselves. The students that go here are incredibly kind, thoughtful, and welcoming, and they will accept anyone with open arms. Incoming freshman- when you come to Pen, make sure you take advantage of every single opportunity you’re given here. They are what make this school incomparable to others. Join a club, CREATE your own club, join PLUS, Link Crew, ASB or Service Learning, join the debate team, MUN, Teen Court, a sports team-whatever it is you decide to do-this is the time to try something new and challenge yourself. By the time you are a senior and you are reflecting back on your four years, you’ll realize how much of a positive impact this school has made on your life. Best of luck!
    Read 567 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,519 Students
    • 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  29. The Buckley School

    • Private School
    • Sherman Oaks, CA
    • K-12
    • 22
    21 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Junior: Buckley’s teachers changed my life. Many are Ivy League educated PhDs, and most are passionate about teaching. Several teachers took extra time to both challenge me intellectually, but also to help me through difficult transitions.
    Read 22 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 830 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  30. Loyola High School

    • Private School
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 9-12
    • 163
    22 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Parent: My son just graduated from Loyola. High marks for the school on turning out high-quality young men who care about their friends and communities. The education is rigorous and while not all of my son's teachers would receive an "A," many are outstanding. I felt that the school was behind the times for students with an interest in engineering/technology as the targeted outcome for students seems to be more focused on law, business, finance tracks. Overall, my son enjoyed the experience and feels very prepared for his freshman year at a top college!
    Read 163 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,247 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  32. Tarbut V'Torah Community Day School

    • Private School
    • Irvine, CA
    • PK, K-12
    • 126
    23 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Parent: Amazing all around! My son on the autistic spectrum needed a full time aid in 1st grade, struggled through middle school elsewhere. We brought him back to TVT for high school after 3 years away worried as to whether he could successfully make it through high school. The learning center support was unbelievably great as were the teachers helping my son. He was recently accepted to a top 25 US University and 4 other schools with large merit packages. We are so proud of what he has accomplished with the help of everyone at the school. He was a 2 sport 4 year varsity athlete, a club leader and has become a confident, polite young man with a heart of gold. The school community is really a family and we are blessed to have Dr Davis, Ms Quigley and other very capable admin and staff at the school. The Film, Math and Engineering programs are truly one of a kind in OC if not the nationally.
    Read 126 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 522 Students
    • 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  33. Oakwood School

    • Private School
    • North Hollywood, CA
    • K-12
    • 20
    24 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Parent: Can't say enough great things about Oakwood. Our daughter is a junior there and we're thrilled with the support the administration and faculty give all the students. She's blossomed academically but also found her passion in their exceptional STEAM department. This is a school that nurtures not just well rounded students, but exceptional kids. It has a rep as an arty school (which it is) but my kid is math/science/tech focused and it's been amazing for her.
    Read 20 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 780 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  34. Woodbridge High School

    • Irvine Unified School District, CA
    • 9-12
    • 396
    25 Best High Schools for STEM in Los Angeles Area

    Alum: Woodbridge High School is one of a kind in Orange County. There are of course other high schools that excel in academics and extra-curriculars, but at Woodbridge HS, academics and extra-curriculars doesn't solely define the high school - the diverse people, the unique talents that one encounters, the excellent high school transition system, and of course the camaraderie between the students and teachers really makes it a tremendous high school that makes one's high school experience a blast. Moreover, it transforms you into a kind, mature, accepting, and intellectual person who will find his or her hidden talent along the way which can help in finding a career choice. Overall - Woodbridge High School is an amazing ride to try!
    Read 396 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,447 Students
    • 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  35. Sponsored

    Marin Country Day School

    • Private School
    • Corte Madera, CA
    • K-8
    • 3

    Parent: My husband and I are both products of public school education so we were hesitant to send our kids to a private school but once we toured the campus and saw how happpy the kids were we knew we had to apply. 11 years later, we have no regrets! MCDS is so much more than a school - it has changed our family for the better. Strong academics are a given (graduates are well prepared for high school); the faculty and staff really know your kids and work hard to make them succeed; kids love going to school; and at the end of 9 years, they come out the other end as pretty nice teenagers. We are a family of color and we appreciate that our kids have grown up in a school culture that celebrates difference and perspective.
    Read 3 Reviews

    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 594 Students
    • 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  36. Sponsored

    Halstrom Academy - Manhattan Beach

    • Private School
    • Manhattan Beach, CA
    • 6-12
    • 1

    Senior: I really enjoy the one-on-one classes. It enabled me to graduate early. The teachers and the administration are caring and supportive. The only downside for highschoolers is the lack of social life; however, I am very involved in community service, work and have many friends outside of Halstrom, so this doesn’t bother me.
    Read 1 Review

    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 222 Students
    • — Student-Teacher Ratio
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