Gretchen A. Whitney High School, called Whitney High School or WHS, is a public school in Cerritos, California serving grades 7–12. It is in the ABC Unified School District.
Serving 1,024 students in grades 7-12, Whitney (Gretchen) High School ranks in the top 1% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 1%, and reading proficiency is top 1%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 98% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≥99% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 26:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Asian), which is higher than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic and Asian).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 1,024 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1
- Minority Enrollment: 97%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 20% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 1%
- Math Proficiency: 98% (Top 1%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≥99% (Top 1%)
- Science Proficiency: 92% (Top 1%)
- Attendance Zone: Whitney (Gretchen) High's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district in Cerritos, CA, covering an area of approximately 15.2 square miles. The typical drive to the school takes about 5-10 minutes, with the average distance to the zone's edge being 2.6 miles and the furthest edge located 4.5 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Whitney (Gretchen) High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Whitney (Gretchen) High School's student population of 1,024 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 39 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
Total Students
1,024 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
39 teachers
Showing 2014–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1976
Campus Size
17 acres
School Motto
Strive for nothing but the best
School Rankings
Whitney (Gretchen) High School ranks within the top 1% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Whitney (Gretchen) High School is 0.39, 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
#1 out of 9523 schools
(Top 1%)
(Top 1%)
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
98%
34%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥99%
47%
Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
92%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
26:1
21:1
Showing 2014–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
77%
12%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
13%
56%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
2%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
3%
20%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
4%
6%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
≥95%
86.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)3.3%
27.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
20%
54%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
11%
8%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Black, Gold
School Mascot
Wildcat
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 09/26/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Whitney (Gretchen) High School's ranking?
Whitney (Gretchen) High School is ranked #1 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 1% of public schools in California.
What schools are Whitney (Gretchen) High School often compared to?
Whitney (Gretchen) High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Carmenita Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
98% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while ≥99% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Whitney (Gretchen) High School?
The graduation rate of Whitney (Gretchen) High School is 95%, which is higher than the California state average of 86.2%.
How many students attend Whitney (Gretchen) High School?
1,024 students attend Whitney (Gretchen) High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
77% of Whitney (Gretchen) High School students are Asian, 13% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are White, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Whitney (Gretchen) High School?
Whitney (Gretchen) High School has a student ration of 26:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Whitney (Gretchen) High School offer ?
Whitney (Gretchen) High School offers enrollment in grades 7-12
What school district is Whitney (Gretchen) High School part of?
Whitney (Gretchen) High School is part of ABC Unified School District.
School Calendar
View the Whitney (Gretchen) High School yearly calendar below.
School Reviews
Review Whitney (Gretchen) High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Can Your Child Get Into School Clubs and Activities?
Discover whether your child can access advertised school clubs and activities, including enrollment limits, tryouts, fees, transportation, scheduling conflicts, and essential questions parents should ask before choosing schools today.
Who Supervises Students When Their Teacher Is Out?
Discover who supervises students when regular teachers are absent, how schools arrange classroom coverage, what qualifications substitutes need, and which questions parents should ask about safety and learning continuity.
When the School Nurse Isn't There: Parent Guide
Learn what happens when school nurses are absent, how public schools handle medications and emergencies, and which essential questions parents should ask to protect their children's health and safety daily.
