2023 Best Schools in Hawthorne

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  79 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 79 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 625

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Santa Monica, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.51 out of 5  49 reviews

Senior: Crossroads is a well-resourced, progressive school, with many unique elements such as its non-traditional campus setting and community-oriented engagement opportunities. As a PWI (predominantly white institution) it still struggles with representation and support for minorities on campus but they are earnestly working to change that. Just this year (2022) they hired its first female head of school (who is also black) in its 50-year career.... Read 49 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,174

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• El Segundo, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  111 reviews

Parent: There is something for everyone at this school! There is an expansive list of clubs for every student's interest. The academics are very strong but the school also caters equally to kids who have an interest in the fine and performing arts. The school encourages progressive thinking, open-mindedness and self-discovery while also helping guide students toward colleges and careers that will make them happy in the long run. The school wants students to think beyond the here and now. The math curriculum is innovative and combines the best math programs from schools around the world. The school lives up to its motto - "there is a better way to do high school."... Read 111 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 272

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.61 out of 5  210 reviews

Parent: Loyola High School is an exceptional college-preparatory high school that truly supports its students in every way! It offers a rigorous education that will not only prepare you for college, but also for real life. The school produces scholarly men of faith, service and leadership. Its focus on cura personalis is exemplary. Everything about this school is top notch!... Read 210 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,270

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  15 reviews

Sophomore: I love being a student at Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles high school. I am not a native French speaker, yet I have excelled with the individualized attention and encouragement I have received from all my teachers and faculty. The small class sizes encourage team work, and my fellow classmates are not in competition with one another, but seek to empower each other instead. We have a well rounded curriculum, encouraging the arts, music, sports, and STEM courses. I have also found that as an American learning about European history, I have gained an important tool to understanding what is happening in the world today.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 148

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• Santa Monica, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  114 reviews

Parent: We can not say enough about New Roads Elementary School. This is truly a school that prioritizes the mission, high quality teaching, creativity, and community. Choosing a school for our child was not an easy decision, but after years at New Roads, we can’t imagine how we considered anywhere else. Our child loves to learn, has a wonderful class of friends, and tries new things with confidence everywhere we go. New Roads gives their students so much confidence and really does “see” them, deeply. Thank you to all of you who have made this formative time so special for us!... Read 114 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 549

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Bellflower, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  159 reviews

Senior: I came from a public school and transferred into St. John Bosco during the sophomore year. The school atmosphere was a breathe of fresh air. Teachers and staff have a true sense of care for the students that I didn't find at my previous school. I wasn't a very religious child, but St. John Bosco didn't treat me worse because of this fact. This is a institution for not only religious children, but children who want to better themselves outside of the classroom. Amazing sports teams and clubs. This school is so innovative with the Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Computer Science, Bio-Medical programs. Many thanks to the teachers and academic counselors for all of their efforts in helping me achieve my goal of attending my dream school! I know that I am prepared for the rigor of college.... Read 159 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 753

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  51 reviews

Alum: This is an incredible private school. I attended public school for two years and then my sister and I were accepted into Wildwood. From second to twelfth grade I had an amazing experience here. There is little diversity due to the massive price tag, so we were two of the few people of color at school. The teachers are not paid enough, but they were so passionate and lovely. I never had a class that was larger than 20 and the teachers gave personalized time to each student. The project-based learning helped me become a great critical thinker and I learned how to make a great presentation! The sports were lacking, but that is because Wildwood is an art/STEM school, not an athletic school. The funding is endless, parents are very involved, and they absolutely prepare students for college. The upper school (6-12) does NOT have a gym/cafeteria/yard etc. It is in West Los Angeles and the facility used to be a warehouse, so there is little natural light in most classrooms.... Read 51 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 733

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  158 reviews

Parent: Our family loves Notre Dame Academy in Los Angeles! NDA offers so much diversity and a rigorous academic program. They are teaching my daughter how to be successful, confident, and a strong young woman. Our daughter is thriving in high school and we owe it to the hardworking staff at NDA. They provide many options such as sports, arts, dance, robotics and much more. They also provide a safe environment with security which we absolutely appreciate as parents.... Read 158 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 285

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Los Angeles Unified School District, CA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  443 reviews

Freshman: Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies is an extremely resourceful and student-friendly school. The system is set up to allow for the highest success rate for students. All A-G requirements for all colleges are met as standard classes at LACES. The school has an extremely kind and caring mental health expert who listens to students' issues on a daily basis. She has helped students deal with their problems. Furthermore, each grade level is assigned a counselor who regularly meets with the students to discuss their well-thought-out plan for college. I have personally found the school to be extremely helpful for students of all types. Additionally, the teachers are outstanding. They are kind and use creative methods of teaching to help engage with the students. Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies is a resourceful and student-friendly school that offers support in every area.... Read 443 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,635

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Lake Balboa, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  175 reviews

Senior: High Tech Los Angeles has helped me a lot in public speaking in where I feel comfortable presenting to a large crowd. This school has helped me to grow out of my shell and become more confident in myself. The school isn't as focused on sports but I like the more technology focus. The art program has improved lately, allowing all sorts of different art programs from digital to fashion design. I've learned to express myself in both my art and body language, making it easier for me to get along with others. The friends I've made there have also given me some great memories and I'm very happy I decided to go to High Tech Los Angeles!... Read 175 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 369

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Torrance, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  346 reviews

Senior: I love the sense of community at Bishop Montgomery. It is a very safe environment with teachers and administrators that are passionate and supportive. The rigorous academics are excellent and give me, a senior at the school, great confidence as I prepare to begin my college career!... Read 346 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 900

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• San Pedro, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  48 reviews

Parent: Our experience at RHP and REN in the year that our son has attended this school has been one that every student should have. The teachers are dynamic, caring and truly invested in the kids. The Ed Specialists in the REN program are angels on Earth. My son has some learning differences and has thrived in this program because he is getting the support he needs, but is also held to a standard of personal growth and academic rigor that he can certainly meet. If you get the chance, spend five minutes talking to the Head of School, David Maher, and you won't have any hesitations about the mission, the heart or the future of this school. So grateful to be a parent of a RHP Husky!... Read 48 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 184

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Los Angeles Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  370 reviews

Junior: My experience at Downtown Business Magnet High School has been very transformative. I learned a lot about myself and accomplished things I thought I never would have. There were many times where I was bewildered in my classes but my teachers would always find ways to help me understand the work better. The school is remarkable in every way, but there are some things I would change about it. I think I can speak for everyone when I say they would be happier to be in a much bigger campus/building. More windows, less clutter in hallways, more tables and places to eat outside, a field for sports, and just overall vitamin D from natural sunlight! We are now starting to go back to school in a few weeks but there's still a virus going around in the world. The fact that there are no windows in the building is a high risk to students because there is no ventilation circling around so the germs are all contained in the small building. I would overall rate my High School a solid 8.... Read 370 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,043

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Torrance, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.89 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: My daughter started in public school. The teachers and kids were disengaged, building Instagram followers seemed like a big goal of kids. We transferred to Ambassador where she developed meaningful relationships, had access to teachers who also wanted the kids to learn and critically think (not just memorize and regurgitate information). In a world where sats/acts seem to be disappearing, my child can differentiate herself through dual enrollment/early college. The Harkness method helps my child use critical thinking and communication skills as part of her learning experience. Chapel is also a great time for my child to slow down and reflect on her own relationship with God. I highly recommend this school.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 140

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  91 reviews

Parent: Our child has been at Larchmont since kinder and has thrived. He went to the elementary Fairfax campus, a smaller campus with spacious classrooms, and he has loved the bigger Selma campus too. The leadership works hard to create an accessible and friendly atmosphere for the students and parents so there is a strong sense of community. The admin is collaborative and value parent input. The teachers are nurturing and attentive and know when to give students more help or more of a challenge. There are many enrichment classes (art, music, gardening, sports teams, band), a social-emotional curriculum and clubs. Most kids eat the (optional) lunch prepared in the Fairfax kitchen and is SO good. At Selma, our child has delved deeper into academics and developed new interests like government and digital media in clubs. We have seen his intellectual curiosity and independence grow and we look forward to the La Fayette Campus!... Read 91 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,581

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  48 reviews

Junior: As I prepare for the upcoming school year and reflect on my sophomore year experiences, my heart can't help but feel overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. After completing my first year of high school in Honduras, thoughts regarding how welcoming the new environment I would encounter clouded my mind. As a first-generation student entering a traditional US high school, my hopes were that teachers and staff would aim to support me despite obvious academic differences between me and my classmates, the students whom I had difficulty connecting with at first. Nonetheless, my original expectations were completely surpassed once I began having meaningful interactions with the teachers and staff. Not only did they help me realize having a different background is an advantage when it comes to acquiring a unique perspective, but they also helped me embrace and show pride in it. New west has encouraged me to build a strong and empowering character, one where my differences stand out proudly.... Read 48 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,043

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  40 reviews

Junior: What I enjoy most is the fact that no boundaries are put between subjects or students. All students can explore the same subject and yet still learn something. They have done an excellent job at involving the arts in our academics, and it has made me understand certain topics more than I used to. What I would change would primarily be how we are prepared for college. The school does fulfill a lot of requirements for us, however we can't add much for extracurriculars, and resources are pretty rare.... Read 40 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 526

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.74 out of 5  42 reviews

Parent: We have found this to be a truly wonderful school with outstanding teachers, devoted administrators and a diverse community. We love the project based learning and critical thinking skills that our son is gaining through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program provided at the school. We also really value the opportunity that he has to learn TWO new languages, through German immersion and then Spanish beginning in third grade. Moreover, the school community really is international and very diverse. We love how different cultures and traditions are highlighted throughout the curriculum and school activities. Additionally, we have been really thrilled by the individualized attention that our son receives. The teachers and staff all really take the time to get to know individual students and their families, and are there to provide support and encouragement to all of us!... Read 42 reviews

• grade A

• Students 391

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Los Angeles Unified School District, CA•

• 4-12

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  411 reviews

Freshman: My overall experience at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies has mostly been a great experience. I have improved as a student over the past four years at SOCES. I have learned great skills that are helping me prepare for college! We have many extracurricular activities like the Avid Club, Speech and Debate, and many more! Compared to the prior schools I have attended, this school has challenged me and prepared me mentally and academically to become a better individual. I look forward to growing tremendously in the next few years and being prepared to attend the college of my choice.... Read 411 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,097

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• El Segundo, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  303 reviews

Alum: The school community is what made the school years very enjoyable. The environment this school created is beyond great. They make sure you’re on the right track to college, making sure you’re taking all classes needed to graduate while helping seniors with applications and the whole process of it. Even though the work may seem a lot it prepared me for college. I found the workload to be the same in college which help make the transitions much easier than expected. Additionally, the school prepares students with their public speaking skills without them even knowing. Having multiple presentations, speaking in front of a panel of teachers, speaking in front of people in the medical field such as doctors and more! The school has a very big emphasis in the STEM field holding activities in which their own students help expose the different careers STEM offers to the younger kids. Lastly the hands on experience the teachers provide are what makes each class enjoyable.... Read 303 reviews

• grade A

• Students 576

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• K-4

• grade A

• Students 430

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Culver City, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.78 out of 5  32 reviews

Works Here: With the support of the entire community, STAR Prep Academy made a seamless transfer to full-day online classes since March 2020, with near perfect attendance. They maintained their parent coffee chats, had student meet-ups, teacher office hours, outside professionals as speakers, and finalized their semester with a virtual Academic Fair, where students created videos for most of their classes to exhibit their work to the community. They still managed to keep the fun alive while creating a rigorous curriculum online!... Read 32 reviews

• grade A

• Students 50

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Hawthorne School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  230 reviews

Sophomore: My experience at HMSA is pretty awesome. The school had a ton of fun events like Multicultural, a school culture event that happens every school year where every student shows their own culture through dances, clothing, and other things. The one thing I would probably want to change is the strict uniforms. Most students would like to have a diversity of clothing instead of looking like a clone of each other. Other than that, the school itself is a good school that challenges you to do better and prepare you for college.... Read 230 reviews

• grade A

• Students 577

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  10 reviews

Parent: WISH Charter has the most amazing teachers and admin, my children have both thrived here! My oldest has attended from kindergarten through 8th grade, and my younger is currently in 5th grade and we couldn't be happier. The parent involvement has developed such a strong community, with a whole-scholar approach to learning including academics, sports, social emotional development, garden, library, technology and more!... Read 10 reviews

• grade A

• Students 772

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1