2023 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Los Angeles County

• ABC Unified School District, CA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  392 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 392 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1410

• Average ACT 32

• Long Beach Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  486 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 486 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 30

• La Canada Unified School District, CA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  350 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 350 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 31

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  657 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 657 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 30

• Arcadia Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,108 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 1,108 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 31

• San Marino Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  281 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 281 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 31

• South Pasadena Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  445 reviews

Senior: We have a gorgeous campus! It is outdoors, and there are lots of plants. They look beautiful in the springtime! The teachers are also incredibly nice, and their classes are fascinating! It is rare to have a teacher who does not want you to do well, and most of them offer tutoring outside of class. Latinx students have reported that they are not very supported here though. A new Latinx club is trying to change that, but the environment is still there. Socially, most of us have known each other since kindergarten, and new kids often spend years alone. It is a rich school with some snooty people, but most are friendly. It is not dangerous, and I do not know of a bullying problem. There is a strong emphasis on academics, especially STEM, but this makes many students stressed. I know several people who have been turned away from the counselors, and some of them were harming themselves. The mental health department is the school's weakest point, in my opinion.... Read 445 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1340

• Average ACT 30

• William S. Hart Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  233 reviews

Senior: Academy of the Canyons is a very academic-oriented school, as it has no sports. It has high offerings in the STEM fields, so you can take advantage of a lot of opportunities there. The clubs and activities are lacking in terms of their breadth, but that is to be expected from a school of 400, so most of what you do outside the classroom is in reality outside the school. The teachers and staff there are amazing and always ready to support you, in & out of the classroom! Overall, a great school to recommend to academically focused, mature students ready to challenge themselves in a college environment.... Read 233 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 29

• Manhattan Beach Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  580 reviews

Junior: For a California public school, Costa is probably one of the best you'll find. It's a public school and faces the same challenges most public schools do, but all-around it's a good school. There is a culture among students of being high-achieving, and the academics here are good. Sports are also a plus- there are a lot of really impressive sports teams here, and there's something for everyone. I'm pretty slow and unathletic, but I've still had a great time on the XC team. Manhattan is an affluent area and that has it's ups and downs. Cons- there are plenty of entitled rich kids. Pros- a lot of often-ignored programs are better funded and stuff like prom can be really fun!... Read 580 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 30

• Walnut Valley Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  822 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 822 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 31

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• Glendale Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  639 reviews

Senior: I've enjoyed attending this school! There is a lot of diversity within the student population and the teachers are very kind. Everyone is very nice and the administrative staff works hard to offer the best education possible. The school and district has been working hard to make the transition from COVID, quarantining, and online school to in-person school again by offering plenty of mental health related services. There is a Well Nest Center focused on bringing students to a more easy state of mind and offering a place for students to destress and focus on improving their mental health. The Well Nest Center has two therapy dogs that come in twice a week to help students destress. The efforts coming from Crescenta Valley High School to improve their school and boost the moral and passion of the students attending the school has been impressive. Additionally, the staff has been very active in pointing out errors and problems that the school is facing and making sure to address them.... Read 639 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 30

• Walnut Valley Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  628 reviews

Senior: Overall it was a good experience. The one thing I would change is the layout of the classrooms. There should not be classrooms in far parts of the school, away from all the other classes. If there needs to be different sections to decrease congestion, then there should at least be more classrooms in that area. Most of the teachers are excellent, however, they do move rather quickly, so if you decide to attend, make sure you can keep up with the pacing!... Read 628 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 31

• Granada Hills, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  1,476 reviews

Freshman: Granada Hills Charter has been a rather pleasant experience. I feel very safe, and the school culture is very friendly. Some teachers are pretty alright, but some aren't good at teaching or too strict. There's a lot of different clubs that you can join, and the school sports teams are really good. The school food is probably one of the best, and the school programs are quality as well. The CP and Honors classes aren't difficult, and there's a broad selection of AP classes! There's a lot of webinars and parental involvement in this school. There's a lot of bathrooms since it's such a big campus, but most of them are closed due to vaping.... Read 1,476 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1270

• Average ACT 29

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  399 reviews

Senior: Palos Verdes High School has such amazing teachers. There are so many opportunities to get involved like in Be the Change, ASB, Link Crew, sports, Choreo/Dance, the Vex robotics team, PVIT, and many clubs. There is something for everyone. Help is always accessible through our many counselors and mindfulness staff. PVHS has a wellness room and even a mindfulness class to practice healthy ways to reduce stress. Office hours are also offered by many teachers for extra help. Finally, the school is located in a gorgeous location.... Read 399 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• Beverly Hills Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  326 reviews

Alum: Amazing School! I really enjoyed my experience at BHHS as I had other high schools to compare it with (I transferred junior year). Top notch academics and your kids will be in good hands and super prepared for the college transition. The most important thing is to take advantage of the AP courses, which is where you will find the best teachers, opportunities and develop life long skills as a scholar.... Read 326 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 30

• William S. Hart Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  675 reviews

Junior: West Ranch is an excellent high school! There are so many interesting teachers and students that create a safe and exciting learning experience. Most of the teachers I have had have been extremely knowledgeable in the subjects they taught, as well as passionate and enthusiastic to share their knowledge. They are always willing to take the extra time to help students, even outside of scheduled class time. In addition to academic classes, there are plenty of super fun electives which I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in. West Ranch has such an amazing campus that allows for fun subjects such as art, culinary, sports, music, and more. These things allow students to bond with one another through common interests. They also foster practical skills that can be used for life after school. I am so thankful that I have had the privilege of attending West Ranch High School and experiencing such an exceptional and supportive community of teachers and students.... Read 675 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 30

• Torrance Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  462 reviews

Niche User: West high school has many teachers that are there to help the students! The classes offer a mental challenge and are successful in preparing students for college-level material. Last, but not least, the campus is very large and contains many resources and clubs that will enhance the experience of any student attending this school.... Read 462 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 30

• Temple City Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  457 reviews

Sophomore: Temple City High School has always been a fun place to be. The class environment is usually welcoming, and students are generally friendly. As an Asian-dominant school, the environment is competitive but inspiring because of student determination. Teachers are kind and willing to help students raise grades. The clubs are diverse and vary in different topics. With school-issued Chromebooks, students don't have an issue completing their work. So far in my time at TCHS, I haven't personally experienced anything terrible. However, there have been some incidents throughout my first year. Many arguments had occurred between students and some fights had broken out. The school had to hire security guards for a short period to ensure the safety of students. Temple City High School is a great school for students looking for a challenging and exciting environment in academics, sports, etc. Though there can be many improvements to the school, it's part of the top 20% of public schools.... Read 457 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 30

• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  795 reviews

Alum: Teachers were always engaging and helpful. Lots of clubs and activities to join. Very large and diverse school with people from all backgrounds. I would love to see more counsellors who encourage students to challenge themselves, rather than telling a student not to take an honours or AP class because the counsellor personally does not think the student will do well. I had an experience with a counsellor like that who did not think I would do well in an AP Psychology class in my junior year, and told me to take regular Psych first and then AP in my senior year, only for my psych teacher in my junior year to ask why I was not taking AP Psych because I was so good at it! Other than that, a majority of the staff is very kind and helpful, and even go out of their way to learn new things about their students.... Read 795 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1270

• Average ACT 29

• Las Virgenes Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  297 reviews

Senior: It is obvious we are a well-funded school, especially looking at our facilities. The quality of academics varies by the class, but personally, I have had good experiences all four years. Most people at the school are very privileged and it is obvious in how they act. We could improve on embracing diversity, but luckily we have a multicultural commissioner in ASB to improve conditions. Overall, your experience at CHS will depend on the classes you take as well as which group you hang out with.... Read 297 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 29

• Los Angeles Unified School District, CA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  46 reviews

Sophomore: I love GALA because of its rigorous academics, close-knit community, and its dedication to college prep. Although I know this school is STEM focused, I'd love to see more arts implemented in the future. I also love the amount of AP classes they offer, even for freshmen!... Read 46 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1230

• Average ACT 26

• ABC Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  618 reviews

Niche User: Providing a safe and welcoming environment: Ensuring that students feel safe and supported in school is essential to their academic and personal success. This can involve implementing comprehensive safety plans, building positive relationships with students, and providing support services such as counseling and social-emotional learning programs. Offering a challenging and diverse curriculum: Schools should aim to provide a well-rounded education that exposes students to a wide range of subjects and learning experiences. This may include offering Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses, as well as elective classes in areas such as the arts, technology, and career and technical education. Encouraging extracurricular participation: Extracurricular activities such as athletics, music, clubs, and organizations can provide students with valuable experiences and opportunities to develop new skills and interests.... Read 618 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• Pacific Palisades, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  685 reviews

Junior: What I love about Palisades Charter High School is how they academically prepare you for college admissions as the offer only honors, college prep and AP classes. I also admire the variety in class from Clothing and Textiles to Hiking class. There is also a student body, ambassadors and link crew that helps new and current students settle into school. Every staff member there is more than willing to help you succeed in school and life. I also love how the staff members are open to new ways to improve the school, overall I rate the school a 5 out of 5!... Read 685 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1270

• Average ACT 29

• Torrance Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  450 reviews

Senior: South High does a lot of fun activities and events that keep the year very exciting. You can choose to participate in these activities, and they are often very fun to do, or watch. They also a provide a safe community, where everyone is welcoming and diversity is balanced. However, there are a couple things that could change. Some of the teachers do not teach very well in general, and their tests don't align with what they teach. I hope in the future that the teachers will do their best to teach their students the proper curriculum, and assess the students in a manner that is appropriate.... Read 450 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29