2022 Best schools for STEM in the Los Angeles Area

• A•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  156 reviews

Junior: Throughout my five years at Harvard-Westlake, I have come to realize what a unique place it is. Anyone can find a path that suits them: regardless of whether you're a math superstar, a polyglot, or a talented thespian, there's something for everyone! With top-notch academics, incredible clubs and a dedicated student body, anyone can succeed and find their- so to speak- niche at HW.... Read 156 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,620

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  158 reviews

Parent: As a parent, I can not say enough wonderful things about Marlborough. It is truly a top-notch school and affords students not only a superb education but a deep sense of community. The academics are rigorous but the support the students receive to be successful is second to none. The teachers, administrators, faculty, staff, and coaches are beyond excellent. The community is diverse, welcoming, kind, curious, and intelligent. I would highly recommend Marlborough without reservation!... Read 158 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 533

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Pasadena, CA•

• Private School•

• 4-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  126 reviews

Parent: When we were looking for private school, we were looking for a school not only offers robust academic curriculums, but also emphasizes on character and social-emotional learning. Our daughters have been with Westridge since 4th grade, and our experiences have always been positive. With more than 100 years of history under strong leadership, Westridge is very proficient in providing an environment that's best fit in shaping young, independent girls. The school continuously evolves and does an excellent job empowering young minds to meet new challenges of modern days. Our daughters are continuously challenged intellectually and never be afraid to make a mistake. We are especially impressed by how Westridge takes an early initiative with DEI and encourages the whole community to make a difference. Teachers and administrators are truly supportive and nurturing. With confidence, we know that we are raising intellectual and well-rounded daughters together.... Read 126 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 550

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Long Beach Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  471 reviews

Parent: After sending our son for a year, we are happy to tell that the school is filled with wonderful people. CAMS students are kind, friendly, supporting each other across grades, and caring younger students very well. Parents are very nice and supportive, too. Most teachers have decent backgrounds/careers. It's easy to communicate with teachers and school staffs. Minimal donation/volunteer requests. The school is for students like Engineering, Computer Science, or Bio-technology. Required courses include manufacturing with CNC machines & industrial 3D printers, computer programming, CAD designing, and college level Bio-tech curriculum. Located on CSUDH campus, junior/senior students may take the college classes at reasonable cost. More than 50 clubs to choose from. 1/5 students join FRC or VEX Robotics teams. While sports teams are limited, good players compete at tournaments. Dancing teams actively perform at various school events. A lot of fun and exciting opportunities at CAMS!... Read 471 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 669

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• Pasadena, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  105 reviews

Parent: As a parent of current poly students, I can attest to the quality of the teachers, faculty, student body and facilities. Poly is academically rigorous and sets high expectations for its students while providing the scholastic and emotional support needed to ensure every student has an opportunity to succeed. Poly also does an admirable job incorporating character building into their curriculum. Compassion, service, self awareness, diversity, inclusion, tolerance and integrity are all modeled and reinforced throughout the campus at every grade level. Poly can of course continue to work on its diversity by reaching out to the larger Los Angles community to attract a more broad coalition of students. That said, we could not be happier. Most importantly our children (middle and high school) feel happy, proud, challenged, accepted, supported and seen.... Read 105 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 872

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• La Canada Flintridge, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  103 reviews

Parent: So far, so good. Son chose this school over other top schools because he liked the community there. Happy to report that he is loving school and the food and getting acclimated very well. The HS academics are challenging which is a plus but I never got the sense that he is stressed out. It is a healthy and manageable level for him but could be difficult if student is not used to the rigor. The teachers and admins are very supportive and available and most of the students are friendly, nice, and well rounded. We love the school so much that we are excitedly waiting to get our younger one there for 7th!... Read 103 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 530

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• ABC Unified School District, CA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  387 reviews

Alum: Academics are definitely rigorous and challenging, but they have great teachers that genuinely care about their students (in addition to the SIA James--shoutout to him!). The school is small so it's easier to make connections with your peers and teachers. It only really feels competitive once you get to senior year applying to colleges; otherwise, I'd say it's a collaborative environment where students are willing to team up and share resources or help each other out. Make sure to keep your mental health in check; while you obviously want to do good in school, getting enough sleep and taking care of yourself is key. Take advantage of the great college and career center, especially their weekly newsletter.... Read 387 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,019

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Newport Coast, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  94 reviews

Senior: Sage offers a Socratic style of learning. I often converse with my peers and I am never afraid to ask questions if I do not understand. Most of my peers are brilliant. If I ever need to know something I can just simply ask, and even if they do not know the teachers are always there to help you. The college counselors are also really good. They review your college essay with you and really helps you make a great one. Of course, they will not write it for you or offer you suggestions of what to put or not to put, but simply advise you and that has been super helpful. They make the college process 10 times easier. All in all, the campus is beautiful, learning is a breeze, and the college counseling staff are awesome!... Read 94 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 550

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Irvine Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  504 reviews

Sophomore: I've had a pretty amazing experience at University High School in Irvine, California. They have provided me with so many opportunities for rigorous learning and opportunities to be involved in so many unique clubs, activities, and classes. Students at University High are really passionate and love to collaborate with each other. Teachers also really care about their students and I've had so many meaningful interactions in their classes. Classes are interesting and engaging and we often have interesting discussions. Also, no matter what question I have or if I want to learn more about something, there is always someone willing to help me -- teachers, counselors, students, anyone! I've had a chance to really foster my love for learning by taking honors classes. The only downside I would reflect on is how competitive the environment can be, which makes you feel a bit pressured at times to be high achieving. But competitiveness has also encouraged me as well!... Read 504 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,708

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.51 out of 5  78 reviews

Senior: Windward excelled my expectations in every possible way. Their sports teams are intense and insane going against the best competition in the country. And the offer and endless stream of activities for your children. The relationship between parents, students, and faculty are all around great. Lots of communication and preparation to ready your children for higher education. The only downside I did notice was every so often our community would be put inside a bubble. Although it’s great to have a nurturing community, someonetimes our children have to see reality for what it is.... Read 78 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 625

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Fullerton Joint Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  943 reviews

Senior: I am currently a Senior at Troy High School and have overall really enjoyed my experience here. I have nothing but great things to say about the Teachers, each teacher I have had has done an amazing job at preparing their students for the next level. Most teachers here truly show how much they care about their students and never fail to make us feel recognized and appreciated. Although Troy does lack some school spirit, and our admin sometimes shuts down a lot of student requests, I appreciate how they make Troy a safe place for its students. During my four years, I have been involved in many clubs as well as the cheer squad. If you're considering sending your child to Troy, make sure they are keeping a balance! A lot of students come here and are pushed too far by their parents causing them to crack under pressure. When coming to such an academically focused school, you must do what's best for you and not forget to indulge in the parts of high school that make it so unforgettable.... Read 943 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,614

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• San Marino Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  274 reviews

Parent: My kids have thrived in SMUSD schools. Most importantly, the caliber of their peers and classmates positively contribute to my children' attitude and enthusiasm for learning. The community's collective focus is aligned to excellence. The people and schools in SMUSD are true gems in California!... Read 274 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 949

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Claremont, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  87 reviews

Alum: Recent alum here, fantastic school for academic development. The teachers here are top notch and the relationships they foster with students is extremely unique at the high school level. We were spoiled at Webb and I constantly am reminded of how much I was blessed to attend a school that is so enriching in several areas. By FAR the best school academically in the area, and nothing within a 40 mile radius offers anything better or even remotely close to the quality and personalization of a Webb education. Beautiful campus, quality location, top notch. The ONLY negative gripe I have with Webb is the college admissions staff and their deceiving system that is inherently unequal. They claim to use a system based on "fit," but instead cater to a practice reliant upon getting as many seniors into 10% of colleges as they can. Telling seniors to not apply to a certain school by claiming lack of "fit," when in reality, they want to cut down competition and cater to their quota.... Read 87 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 404

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Anaheim, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  84 reviews

Parent: Fairmont Prep is an amazing school that combines amazing and first class academics with so many opportunities for students. Where else can you go and take high level math and science courses, participate in ASB, Visual and Performing arts, and yes, amazing sports. In fact, my son is on the basketball team which is division 1 and won CIF two years ago and went to the finals this year. Fairmont Prep is an academic powerhouse, sports powerhouse, and actually an awesome school for all students from average to highly academic. This is the best school for my son, bar none!... Read 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 433

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  95 reviews

Sophomore: Chadwick is a great school. It is challenging, welcoming, supportive, and so much more. I feel at home at Chadwick, I have many friends and great relationships with my teachers. Chadwick has SO MANY opportunities, it's not a question of if there are opportunities, it's a question of how many of them will you take. The only thing I will say is that it is hard to manage pressures and insecurities as a minority, a first-generation Latina, in a predominantly white school. I find myself trying to fit in with everyone, not speaking Spanish, saying words as white as I could make them, and making myself sound as rich as I can (when I'm not). As bad as this might sound, recently Chadwick has started to make slow but sure progress in their diversity aspect. I can say for myself that I'm feeling more at place here than I was at the beginning. Overall, Chadwick is my dream school, with flaws and all, and I would never think otherwise.... Read 95 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 867

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Irvine Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  545 reviews

Senior: I transferred to Northwood Highschool from another school in California. When I was a new student, I was embraced by staff such as my councilor in a way that made me feel safe. They helped me get sorted into the new school, giving me all the information I needed for a easy transition to happen. And it was! The staff deeply care about the students health and wellbeing, while still ensuring that we get a proper education. All the teachers that I've had, have been amazing in their fields, helping me become the best at the certain subject. The schools atmosphere is amazing as well. The open space, with nature filled radiance touches the school. I absolutely adore how there is open space at in the school's field's rather than it being filled with a cement stadium like other schools. It gives a relaxing vibe to the school and the athletics department as well.... Read 545 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,756

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• La Canada Unified School District, CA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  348 reviews

Junior: I'll start off with the bullying: There is none. Everyone is nice and helpful to each other. The homework is a bit much but with some encouragement from parents, it's not all that bad. The teachers are extraordinary at explaining the class material and subjects and are always willing to help a student in need. But the school is not all work. La Canada High School also offers a plethora of sports teams and clubs, most of which are run by the community or students. As a student with ADD (ADHD Innatentive), staying focused has been a bit difficult. Luckily, the teachers are nice and give me extra time to complete assignments or tests. Now onto the food! The cafeteria offers a variety of food, usually with different menus each day. There's also a wide variety of drinks and snacks in the Cafe.... Read 348 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,058

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Riverside Unified School District, CA•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  50 reviews

Sophomore: My experience with Riverside STEM Academy has been very rigorous and inspiring so far. Attending since 5th grade, the teachers are very supportive, ensuring your success through very thorough explanations whenever you ask a question. Additionally, though the work is very demanding and rigorous, there is always the feeling of self-satisfaction in getting a project done. As we are partnered with UCR, research and extracurricular activities, especially during the summer are plentiful and recommended. A close-knit community, Riverside STEM Academy is a place for those wishing to pursue a better future for themselves and their family. It is a place that unless you are willing to put 100%, you will not enjoy it.... Read 50 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 655

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Arcadia Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,095 reviews

Senior: During my four years at Arcadia High School, I was challenged very academically. The students here take their education very seriously because they heavily emphasize the importance of getting into a good college. My favorite part of the school is that it has so many amazing opportunities and programs for students to join and really find themselves. I joined their Marching Band for four years and during those times, I was given exciting opportunities to perform in places I would never have dreamed of. Just this year our band flew to Florida to perform in the Outback Bowl halftime show! Their programs are very well funded. Students will have a chance to learn the true meaning of teamwork and consistency. Whether you join the theater department or a sport, you will have fun. Overall something to improve on or change is the attention of the student's well-being. Quite often, the students get so caught up in studying they become stress and forget to take care of themselves,... Read 1,095 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,032

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  647 reviews

Sophomore: PVPHS is a great choice for kids who are willing to challenge themselves and prepare for college. Most of the teachers are excellent and well-qualified, and I’ve had amazing experiences with many of them. The majority of students are also very kind, vibrant, and accepting, compared to my last school in LA—they put extra effort into making you feel welcome. Along with that, the school spirit is fun and contagious, and kids here feel a lot of pride to be Peninsula students. However, the student culture here sometimes gets overwhelming—many feel pressure to get perfect grades and be involved in extracurriculars. While kids here are really polite, there’s always an underlying message: you need to do well and maintain your grades, or else. The pros outnumber the cons significantly: supportive people everywhere you look, some of the best academics in the state, and endless valuable experiences and opportunities. Final tip: Just be sure to find good friends and a decent work-life balance!... Read 647 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,359

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Walnut Valley Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  810 reviews

Junior: Great environment! There're a lot of things to do here, including out of class activities like clubs or athletics. If you're interested in classes like choir or the arts, this school has a lot to offer. The teachers are also generally kind and caring. Overall, a very academically rich and diverse school.... Read 810 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,544

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Irvine, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  169 reviews

Parent: Under the difficult period of Covid-19, everyone is struggling to adapt to rapid changes. When times like this extend, individual strength slowly fades away. Where shall we draw strength from? The school shows parents and students logical decisions and correct measures: medical expert support, professional testing procedures, disinfection and sanitation, wearing masks, social distancing, daily health checks, parents communication... These measures ensured a safe environment for students to return on campus. TVT as the forerunner, gave us some very good examples of smart decision making. We draw strength from it and we‘re very proud to be a part of TVT!... Read 169 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 802

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  26 reviews

Junior: YULA is a great modern-orthodox school. They have wonderful teachers and really support student growth. Despite this, I feel as though they could improve their dedication to extracurriculars that are not athletic.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 170

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Calabasas, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  117 reviews

Senior: Viewpoint School is an amazing school! During my Freshman year, they made workshops and took us on field trips which helped me create friendships. The curriculum is massive, so it really allows students to explore what they want to pursue in life from an early age. The sports program is amazing; we achieve new accolades each year, even though we are in one of the most competitive leagues in the country!... Read 117 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,215

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  55 reviews

Parent: My daughter attends Milken and it has been a wonderful experience for her and our family. First, the students were so welcoming (and so were parents). Second, the opportunities available are immense - so many electives, athletics and the arts that she could try everything she wanted to before committing once she gets to high school. Her teachers are supportive and when we reached out to ask questions, they were very helpful and attentive. The school has been a very stepped up experience from elementary school - more than we could have expected. The senior leadership has vision, and the students benefit from that. We love it!... Read 55 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 768

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1