James A. Garfield High School is a year-round public high school founded in 1925 in East Los Angeles, an unincorporated section of Los Angeles County, California. At Garfield, 38% of students participate in advanced placement programs.
Serving 2,223 students in grades 9-12, James A. Garfield Senior High School ranks in the top 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 26% (which is lower than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 63% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 18:1 is lower than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,223 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 96% (Top 10% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 26% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 63% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 18% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
James A. Garfield Senior High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
James A. Garfield Senior High School's student population of 2,223 students has declined by 13% over five school years.
The teacher population of 127 teachers has grown by 22% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
2,223 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
127 teachers
Year Founded
1925
School Motto
A clear head, a true heart, a strong arm
School Rankings
James A. Garfield Senior High School ranks within the top 50% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of James A. Garfield Senior High School is 0.04, 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
#3479 out of 9523 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
26%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
21:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
12%
Hispanic
98%
56%
Black
1%
5%
White
1%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
96%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
89%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is James A. Garfield Senior High School's ranking?
James A. Garfield Senior High School is ranked #3479 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in California.
What schools are James A. Garfield Senior High School often compared to?
James A. Garfield Senior High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
26% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 63% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of James A. Garfield Senior High School?
The graduation rate of James A. Garfield Senior High School is 96%, which is higher than the California state average of 87%.
How many students attend James A. Garfield Senior High School?
2,223 students attend James A. Garfield Senior High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
98% of James A. Garfield Senior High School students are Hispanic, 1% of students are Black, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of James A. Garfield Senior High School?
James A. Garfield Senior High School has a student ration of 18:1, which is lower than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does James A. Garfield Senior High School offer ?
James A. Garfield Senior High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is James A. Garfield Senior High School part of?
James A. Garfield Senior High School is part of Los Angeles Unified School District.
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