For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public elementary schools serving 5,977 students in Gardena, CA.
The top ranked public elementary 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 45% statewide average). Elementary schools in Gardena have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Gardena, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: K-6
| 359 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 375 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 668 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 671 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 619 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
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
Grades: K-5
| 379 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
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
Grades: K-5
| 371 students
Rank: #88.
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
Grades: K-5
| 463 students
Rank: #99.
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
Grades: K-5
| 593 students
Rank: #1010.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 360 students
Rank: #1111.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 1,119 students
Gardena, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
C. Morley Sellery Special Education Center (Closed 2018)
Special Education School
15805 S. Budlong Ave.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-1202
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 327-1202
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Crescendo Charter Academy (Closed 2012)
Charter School
13000 South Van Ness Ave
Gardena, CA 90249
(323) 329-1300
Gardena, CA 90249
(323) 329-1300
Grades: K-5
| 202 students
Crescendo Charter Preparatory West (Closed 2012)
Charter School
16110 South La Salle Ave
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 532-8680
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 532-8680
Grades: K-5
| 215 students
Environmental Charter High - Gardena (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2818 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 214-3408
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 214-3408
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
2814 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90249
(323) 756-1426
Gardena, CA 90249
(323) 756-1426
Grades: 9-12
| 203 students
Kipp Generations Academy (Closed 2024)
Charter School
1415 West Gardena Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
(213) 489-4461
Gardena, CA 90247
(213) 489-4461
Grades: K-8
| 164 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Gardena, CA?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Gardena, CA include One Hundred Fifty-sixth Street Elementary School, Chapman Elementary School and Denker Avenue Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Gardena?
11 public elementary schools are located in Gardena.
What is the racial composition of students in Gardena?
Gardena public elementary schools minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Gardena are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Gardena include: Environmental Charter Middle - Gardena vs. Robert E. Peary Middle School, Robert E. Peary Middle School vs. Environmental Charter Middle - Gardena, Chapman Elementary School vs. One Hundred Fifty-sixth Street Elementary School
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
