Daniel Pearl Magnet High School is a magnet school within the Los Angeles Unified School District in Lake Balboa, Los Angeles, near Van Nuys, in the San Fernando Valley. It is the smallest comprehensive high school in LAUSD.
Serving 183 students in grades 9-12, Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤10% (which is lower than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-69% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- School Type: Alternative school / Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 183 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 73%
- Graduation Rate: ≥90% (Top 50% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 60-69% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-29% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: The attendance zone for Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet encompasses the entire district in Van Nuys, CA, covering approximately 959.7 square miles. Families can expect a typical drive of 20-30 minutes to the school, with an average distance of 19.5 miles to the zone's edge and a maximum distance of 99.4 miles to the furthest point.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet's student population of 183 students has declined by 29% over five school years.
The teacher population of 14 teachers has declined by 17% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
183 students
Total Classroom Teachers
14 teachers
Year Founded
2009
School Calendar
School Rankings
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet ranks within the bottom 50% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet is 0.57, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#5256 out of 9523 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-69%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
21:1
Asian
6%
12%
Hispanic
60%
56%
Black
4%
5%
White
27%
20%
Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥90%
86.2%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)43.7%
27.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
72%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Black, Turquoise
School Mascot
Shark
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet's ranking?
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet is ranked #5256 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
What schools are Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet often compared to?
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnetis often viewed alongside schools like Canoga Park Senior High School, Van Nuys Senior High School, Sherman Oaks Center For Enriched Studies by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤10% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 60-69% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet?
The graduation rate of Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet is 90%, which is higher than the California state average of 86.2%.
How many students attend Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet?
183 students attend Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
60% of Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet students are Hispanic, 27% of students are White, 6% of students are Asian, 4% of students are Black, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet?
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet offer ?
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet part of?
Daniel Pearl Journalism & Communications Magnet is part of Los Angeles Unified School District.
School Reviews
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