For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 7,917 students in Gardena, CA (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,276 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Gardena, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Gardena, CA are One Hundred Fifty-sixth Street Elementary School, Chapman Elementary School and Moneta Continuation. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Gardena, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Gardena have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Gardena, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
One Hundred Fifty-sixth Street Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2100 West 156th St.
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 324-6639
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 324-6639
Grades: K-6
| 359 students
Rank: #22.
Chapman Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1947 Marine Ave.
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 324-2275
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 324-2275
Grades: K-5
| 375 students
Rank: #33.
Moneta Continuation
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
17951 South Budlong Ave.
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 354-4951
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 354-4951
Grades: 9-12
| 49 students
Rank: #44.
Denker Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1620 West 162nd St.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-9420
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-9420
Grades: K-5
| 668 students
Rank: #55.
One Hundred Eighty-sixth Street Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1581 West 186th St.
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 324-1153
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 324-1153
Grades: K-5
| 619 students
Rank: #66.
Amestoy Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1048 West 149th St.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-5592
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-5592
Grades: K-5
| 671 students
Rank: #77.
Gardena Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
647 West Gardena Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 324-6967
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 324-6967
Grades: K-5
| 463 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
One Hundred Fifty-third Street Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1605 West 153rd St.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 323-1029
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 323-1029
Grades: K-5
| 379 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Purche Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
13210 Purche Ave.
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 323-3184
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 323-3184
Grades: K-5
| 371 students
Rank: #1010.
One Hundred Thirty-fifth Street Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 West 135th St.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 324-4454
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 324-4454
Grades: K-5
| 593 students
Rank: #1111.
Gardena Senior High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1301 West 182nd St.
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 354-5000
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 354-5000
Grades: 9-12
| 1,407 students
Rank: #1212.
Environmental Charter Middle - Gardena
Charter School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
812 West 165th Pl.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 425-1605
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 425-1605
Grades: 6-8
| 360 students
Rank: #1313.
Robert E. Peary Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1415 West Gardena Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 225-4200
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 225-4200
Grades: 6-8
| 1,119 students
Rank: #1414.
New Millennium Secondary
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1301 West 182nd St.
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 999-6162
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 999-6162
Grades: 9-12
| 145 students
Rank: n/an/a
Environmental Charter High - Gardena
Charter School
2818 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 214-3408
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 214-3408
Grades: 9-12
| 339 students
Gardena, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
C. Morley Sellery Special Education Center (Closed 2018)
Special Education School
15805 S. Budlong Ave.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-1202
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-1202
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Crescendo Charter Academy (Closed 2012)
Charter School
13000 South Van Ness Ave
Gardena, CA 90249
(323) 329-1300
Gardena, CA 90249
(323) 329-1300
Grades: K-5
| 202 students
Crescendo Charter Preparatory West (Closed 2012)
Charter School
16110 South La Salle Ave
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 532-8680
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 532-8680
Grades: K-5
| 215 students
Environmental Charter High - Gardena (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2818 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 214-3408
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 214-3408
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
2814 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90249
(323) 756-1426
Gardena, CA 90249
(323) 756-1426
Grades: 9-12
| 203 students
Kipp Generations Academy (Closed 2024)
Charter School
1415 West Gardena Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
(213) 489-4461
Gardena, CA 90247
(213) 489-4461
Grades: K-8
| 164 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Gardena, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Gardena, CA include One Hundred Fifty-sixth Street Elementary School, Chapman Elementary School and Moneta Continuation.
How many public schools are located in Gardena?
15 public schools are located in Gardena.
What percentage of students in Gardena go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Gardena are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Gardena?
Gardena public schools minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Gardena are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Gardena include: Environmental Charter Middle - Gardena vs. Robert E. Peary Middle School, Environmental Charter High - Gardena vs. Gardena Senior High School, Chapman Elementary School vs. One Hundred Fifty-sixth Street Elementary School
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