For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 7,720 students in Gardena, CA (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,448 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 Denker Avenue Elementary School. 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 27% (versus the California public school average of 34%), 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 (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
One Hundred Fifty-sixth Street Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2100 West 156th St.
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 324-6639
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 324-6639
Gr: K-6 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
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
Gr: K-5 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #33.
Denker Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1620 West 162nd St.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-9420
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-9420
Gr: K-5 | 670 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #44.
Amestoy Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1048 West 149th St.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-5592
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-5592
Gr: K-5 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #55.
One Hundred Eighty-sixth Street Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1581 West 186th St.
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 324-1153
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 324-1153
Gr: K-5 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #66.
Moneta Continuation
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
17951 South Budlong Ave.
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 354-4951
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 354-4951
Gr: 9-12 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
One Hundred Fifty-third Street Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1605 West 153rd St.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 323-1029
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 323-1029
Gr: K-5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Purche Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
13210 Purche Ave.
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 323-3184
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 323-3184
Gr: K-5 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
Gardena Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
647 West Gardena Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 324-6967
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 324-6967
Gr: K-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
Rank: #1010.
One Hundred Thirty-fifth Street Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
801 West 135th St.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 324-4454
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 324-4454
Gr: K-5 | 554 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1111.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Robert E. Peary Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1415 West Gardena Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 225-4200
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 225-4200
Gr: 6-8 | 1,082 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1313.
Gardena Senior High School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1301 West 182nd St.
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 354-5000
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 354-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,343 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1414.
New Millennium Secondary
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1301 West 182nd St.
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 999-6162
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 999-6162
Gr: 9-12 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Environmental Charter High - Gardena
Charter School
2818 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90249
(424) 295-9898
Gardena, CA 90249
(424) 295-9898
Gr: 9-12 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
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 Denker Avenue Elementary School.
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, Chapman Elementary School vs. One Hundred Fifty-sixth Street Elementary School, Robert E. Peary Middle School vs. Environmental Charter Middle - Gardena
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