High Schools In San Pedro And What Families Should Weigh
- 01. High Schools in San Pedro: Where Outcomes Truly Differ
- 02. Public High Schools Serving San Pedro Families
- 03. Key Public School Options
- 04. Private High Schools: Catholic and College-Preparatory Options
- 05. Private School Comparison
- 06. Performance Outcomes: Where Data Reveals Real Differences
- 07. Marist Educational Values and Catholic School Excellence
- 08. Choosing the Right High School: Practical Guidance for Parents
- 09. Conclusion: Outcomes Define School Quality
High Schools in San Pedro: Where Outcomes Truly Differ
San Pedro, California has eight high school options serving grades 9-12: San Pedro Senior High (public, 2,481 students, 91% graduation rate), Port of Los Angeles High (charter, 928 students, top 20% statewide), Nathaniel Narbonne Senior High (public, 1,667 students, B+ Niche grade), Angel's Gate Continuation High (public continuation), Renaissance Arts Academy (K-12 public magnet), High Tech Los Angeles (charter), Mary Star of the Sea High School (private Catholic, 406 students, $10,800 tuition), and Rolling Hills Preparatory School (private, 225 students, $44,800 tuition, A+ grade).
Public High Schools Serving San Pedro Families
San Pedro is served primarily by the Los Angeles Unified School District, which operates multiple high schools with markedly different outcomes. The district serves over 6,500 students in the harbor area and has achieved a 97.2% graduation rate at some campuses following a 3.6 percentage point increase.
Key Public School Options
- San Pedro Senior High School - 1001 W. 15th St.; 2,481 students; 21:1 ratio; 91% graduation rate (higher than CA's 87% average); ranks better than 66% of CA high schools; 35% AP participation
- Port of Los Angeles High School - Charter founded 2005; 928 students; top 20% statewide; math/reading proficiency in top 30%; focuses on maritime studies and international business
- Nathaniel Narbonne Senior High - Harbor City location serving San Pedro; 1,667 students; 19:1 ratio; B+ Niche grade; 25% math proficient, 64% reading proficient
- Angel's Gate Continuation High School - 3607 S. Gaffey St.; alternative education for at-risk students; 78 students; 20:1 ratio
Private High Schools: Catholic and College-Preparatory Options
For families seeking faith-based education, San Pedro offers two Catholic high schools with distinct value propositions. Mary Star of the Sea High School operates under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Department of Catholic Schools, embodying principles aligned with Marist pedagogy-presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work, and following in the way of Mary.
Private School Comparison
| School | Type | Enrollment | Tuition | Student-Teacher Ratio | College Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Star of the Sea | Catholic | 406 (9-12) | $10,800 | 15:1 | 56% (4-year) |
| Rolling Hills Prep | Independent | 225 (5-12) | $44,800 | Not reported | 97% |
| Holy Trinity School | Catholic | 491 (PK-8) | Not reported | Not reported | N/A |
Rolling Hills Prep reports average SAT 1230 (Math 610, Verbal 620) and ACT 27, with 97% college enrollment. Catholic high schools nationwide report 99.1% graduation rates and 84.7% attending four-year colleges-twice the public school rate.
Performance Outcomes: Where Data Reveals Real Differences
The 2025 California School Dashboard shows statewide graduation rates reached 87.5% (up 4.5 points since 2017), with college/career readiness at 51.7% of graduates. San Pedro schools diverge significantly from these benchmarks:
- Graduation Rate Leaders: San Pedro Senior High (91%) and Port of Los Angeles High exceed state average by 3.5-4+ percentage points
- Academic Proficiency: Port of Los Angeles High ranks top 20% statewide; San Pedro Senior High ranks bottom 50% for test scores but maintains strong graduation outcomes
- College Readiness: Rolling Hills Prep achieves 97% college enrollment versus 56% at Mary Star (4-year track), reflecting different mission focuses
- AP Participation: LAUSD achieved 29% AP enrollment in 2024-25 with 12% increase since 2020-21; San Pedro Senior High at 35% exceeds district average
Marist Educational Values and Catholic School Excellence
Marist education, founded by Marcellin Champagnat in 1817, emphasizes five pillars: presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work, and in the way of Mary. These principles resonate with Catholic schools like Mary Star of the Sea, which interweaves quality education fundamentals with strong Catholic principles in a college-preparatory curriculum.
Catholic schools demonstrate measurable impact: graduates are twice as likely to attend four-year colleges (84.7% vs. 44.1% public), with 99.1% graduation rates versus 73.2% for public schools. This outcomes gap reflects the holistic formation central to Catholic educational mission across Latin America and Brazil.
Choosing the Right High School: Practical Guidance for Parents
Families should evaluate three critical dimensions when selecting a San Pedro high school:
- Academic fit: Match student's learning style to school model (magnet arts at Renaissance, maritime/business at Port of LA, traditional college-prep at Mary Star or Rolling Hills)
- Financial reality: Tuition ranges from $0 (public/charter) to $44,800 (Rolling Hills); Catholic schools offer significant value at $10,800
- Outcome priorities: Graduation rates matter most for at-risk students; college placement dominates for college-bound families; AP/IB access critical for competitive university admissions
Conclusion: Outcomes Define School Quality
San Pedro's high school landscape demonstrates that educational outcomes truly differ across institution types. Public schools serve the majority with respectable graduation rates; charter schools like Port of Los Angeles High achieve top-quartile proficiency; Catholic schools deliver exceptional graduation rates and college attendance at accessible tuition; independent schools like Rolling Hills Prep provide elite college preparation for families able to invest $44,800 annually.
Families prioritizing values-driven education with measurable academic and spiritual formation should consider Catholic options, which consistently outperform public schools on graduation and college attendance metrics while fostering the holistic development central to Marist pedagogy.
What are the most common questions about High Schools In San Pedro And What Families Should Weigh?
What high schools serve San Pedro, California?
San Pedro has eight high schools: San Pedro Senior High (public, LAUSD), Port of Los Angeles High (charter), Nathaniel Narbonne Senior High (public, LAUSD), Angel's Gate Continuation High (public), Renaissance Arts Academy (magnet), High Tech Los Angeles (charter), Mary Star of the Sea High School (Catholic private), and Rolling Hills Preparatory School (independent private).
Which San Pedro high school has the best graduation rate?
San Pedro Senior High School leads with 91% graduation rate (4% above California's 87% average), followed by Port of Los Angeles High School in the top 20% statewide. Catholic Mary Star of the Sea reports 99.1% graduation rates consistent with Catholic school averages nationally.
Is Mary Star of the Sea a Marist school?
Mary Star of the Sea operates under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Department of Catholic Schools, not directly under Marist Brothers governance. However, it embodies Catholic educational principles aligned with Marist values-presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work, and following in the way of Mary-shared across Catholic education in Latin America.
What is the student-teacher ratio at San Pedro high schools?
San Pedro Senior High has 21:1 (equal to California average); Port of Los Angeles High and Rolling Hills Prep report competitive ratios; Mary Star of the Sea achieves 15:1, enabling personalized attention typical of Catholic schools.
How do San Pedro high schools compare on college readiness?
Rolling Hills Prep leads with 97% college enrollment and SAT average 1230. Mary Star reports 56% four-year college attendance, consistent with Catholic school national average of 84.7% for four-year enrollment. Port of Los Angeles High ranks top 30% for math/reading proficiency, supporting college pathways.
