What Are Highland Park, LA Schools Like in 2026?
From the zoned LAUSD schools to charter lottery programs, GALA, and how school quality shapes home prices — everything you need before you buy in HP.
Highland Park is zoned to LAUSD, which means most families attend Franklin High School (grades 6–12, Niche B) or one of three elementary schools in the 90042 zip code. The neighborhood's standout option is GALA (Girls Academic Leadership Academy), an all-girls STEM school ranked #2 in California — accessible via the LAUSD lottery, not zoned enrollment. Charter and magnet alternatives exist for families who qualify, and private school options sit primarily in adjacent Pasadena and Eagle Rock.
- Highland Park Schools at a Glance
- GALA — The Standout Choice for HP Families
- Charter School Options Near Highland Park
- Traditional LAUSD Schools: Franklin, Elementaries
- The LAUSD Magnet System Explained
- Private School Options Nearby
- How School Quality Affects HP Home Prices
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Quick Reference: School Directory
Highland Park Schools at a Glance
Every address in Highland Park (90042) falls within Los Angeles Unified School District. That means your zoned public schools are assigned automatically based on where you live — and the quality varies significantly depending on which school you land in. The good news: HP families have real choice beyond zoned assignments through LAUSD's charter and magnet systems.
This guide focuses on schools that actually serve the 90042 zip code or are reasonably accessible to HP residents. I've excluded schools that closed recently — notably, Academia Avance Charter on N. Avenue 53 ceased operations in June 2025 after enrollment drops and funding cuts, so it no longer factors into the calculus.
| School | Type | Grades | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GALA (Girls Academic Leadership Academy) | LAUSD Magnet | 6–12 | #2 CA (Niche 2025) | All-girls STEM; lottery admission; located in Mid-City, not in HP |
| Benjamin Franklin HS | LAUSD Zoned | 6–12 | Niche B / GS 4/10 | Primary zoned HS for HP; 820 N Avenue 54, 90042 |
| Garvanza Elementary | LAUSD Zoned | K–6 | Niche B / GS 5/10 | Best-rated zoned elementary in HP proper |
| Aldama Elementary | LAUSD Zoned | K–6 | Niche B− / GS 4/10 | Dual Language (Spanish/English) program; 632 N Ave 50 |
| Annandale Elementary | LAUSD Zoned | K–6 | Niche C+ / GS 4/10 | 6125 Poppy Peak Dr; lower test scores vs. Garvanza |
| Stella Middle Charter Academy | Charter | 5–8 | Niche B− / GS 5/10 | Bright Star network; open enrollment; near Pico-Union area |
| Larchmont Charter School | Charter | TK–12 | Top 20% CA (US News) | Multiple campuses; above-avg test scores; lottery-based |
| LAUSD Magnets (333 programs) | Magnet | K–12 | Varies | Apply via echoices.lausd.net; Oct–Nov window; theme-based |
| Heritage Christian School | Private | K–12 | Top-ranked private (PSR) | North Hills / Granada Hills; ~$11–16K/yr tuition |
Sources: Niche (2025–2026), GreatSchools, LAUSD School Directory, CA Dept. of Education. Ratings current as of May 2026.
GALA — The Standout Choice for HP Families
When people say "Highland Park has a great high school," they're usually referring to GALA — the Girls Academic Leadership Academy, Dr. Michelle King School for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Let me set expectations immediately: GALA is not in Highland Park. It's located at 2328 St. James Place in Mid-City (90007), and it's an all-girls school. But it's the top academic option accessible to HP families through the LAUSD lottery, which is why it dominates the conversation.
GALA earned the #2 spot among all public high schools in California on Niche's 2025 rankings — not just LA County, but statewide. For parents who have a daughter and are willing to navigate the lottery system, no other school in the accessible LAUSD universe comes close to that credential. The school serves grades 6–12 in an integrated middle/high program, so families who get in early keep that seat through graduation.
GALA Snapshot
Girls Academic Leadership Academy — Dr. Michelle King School for STEM
(Niche 2025)
(Middle + High)
(LAUSD Magnet)
STEM-focused curriculum with arts integration. Strong AP and college counseling program. Named for LAUSD Superintendent Dr. Michelle King.
GALA Admission: What HP Families Need to Know
GALA no longer uses a student questionnaire or interview process. Admission is entirely lottery-based through LAUSD Choices. Any student living within LAUSD boundaries — which includes all of 90042 — can apply without a permit. Students from outside LAUSD need a permit, but that doesn't apply to Highland Park residents.
The lottery is not first-come-first-served: submitting on October 1 carries the same odds as submitting on November 14. If accepted, families must confirm enrollment by April 10. Contact GALA admissions at admissions@galacademy.org with questions about the current cycle.
Charter School Options Near Highland Park
Charter schools within or accessible to HP families give parents a meaningful alternative to zoned LAUSD assignments. Two networks are worth knowing: Bright Star (Stella) and Larchmont Charter. Both are public, tuition-free, and operate through open enrollment lotteries — no address-based assignment.
For families with younger children (elementary through middle school), Larchmont Charter has the stronger academic reputation. Stella Middle Charter Academy is solid for the 5–8 window, particularly if Larchmont isn't an option. Neither should be confused with GALA — they're different schools with different enrollment ages and academic profiles.
Larchmont Charter (TK–12)
Top 20% in California for test scores. Multiple campuses across LA. 57% math proficiency vs. 34% CA avg. Named CA Distinguished School.
Stella Middle Charter Academy (5–8)
Bright Star network. Niche B−, GreatSchools 5/10. 459 students, 19:1 ratio. Parent reviews average 4.8 stars on Niche. Strong in student engagement and school culture.
Traditional LAUSD Zoned Schools: Franklin and the Elementaries
If your HP home address lands in the standard LAUSD attendance zone — which it will, unless you actively pursue a charter, magnet, or permit — your children's default path is Franklin High School for grades 6–12, and one of three elementary schools in 90042.
Benjamin Franklin High School
Franklin (820 N. Avenue 54, 90042) is the physical high school in Highland Park. With a Niche grade of B and a GreatSchools rating of 4/10, it lands in the middle tier of LAUSD high schools. Math proficiency sits at 24%, reading at 46% — below state averages but not the bottom. The school runs a Gifted & Talented program and AP courses, which matters if you have a student who qualifies for advanced coursework.
In my conversations with HP buyers who are parents, Franklin draws mixed reviews. Academic performance is inconsistent depending on the cohort and teacher retention, which can vary year to year. That said, it's a community school with deep roots in the neighborhood, and families who engage with the school's advanced programs tend to have better experiences than those who just show up and expect a private-school equivalent. If Franklin is your likely destination, meeting with the principal and visiting the AP program is the right move before dismissing it.
Elementary Schools in 90042
HP has three LAUSD elementary schools. Garvanza Elementary is the strongest performer, with a Niche B and a GreatSchools 5/10 — and notably, 42% math proficiency, which exceeds the LAUSD average. Aldama Elementary (632 N. Avenue 50) is known for its Spanish/English Dual Language Program established in 2008 — over half the student body participates, which is a genuine differentiator for bilingual-minded families. Annandale Elementary (6125 Poppy Peak Dr) is the weakest of the three on paper with a Niche C+ and GreatSchools 4/10; it serves the upper HP/Hermon area near South Pasadena.
Your zoned elementary depends on your specific address in 90042. Before closing on any HP home, pull your address through LAUSD's school finder to confirm which elementary you're actually zoned for — the three zones don't split evenly across the neighborhood.
The LAUSD Magnet System: A Tool Most HP Parents Don't Use
Here's something I tell every family buyer in NELA: the LAUSD magnet system is one of the most underused options in the district. LAUSD runs 333 magnet programs — theme-based specialty schools and centers ranging from STEM to performing arts to language immersion to international studies. Any student who lives within LAUSD boundaries, including every address in 90042, is eligible to apply to any magnet program in the district.
Magnets are different from charters. Charter schools are independently run. Magnet programs are housed within LAUSD schools, often giving students access to a specialized curriculum within an existing school campus. Many magnet centers have different admissions standards and academic reputations than the surrounding school's general population.
For families who want a non-lottery fallback, the magnet system also distributes integration points to students from under-represented areas — which can improve lottery odds in future application cycles if you don't win the first time. The details are on the LAUSD Choices site, but it's worth knowing that persistent applicants can accumulate a points advantage over time.
I've worked with families in HP, Mt. Washington, and Atwater Village who've successfully navigated the magnet system to access top-tier programs outside their zoned schools. It takes planning — you need to know the application window, the school offerings, and your child's interest areas — but it's a legitimate path to excellent public education from a Highland Park address.
Private School Options Near Highland Park
HP doesn't have a cluster of private schools within the neighborhood itself. The private school inventory for HP families sits primarily in adjacent Pasadena (2–4 miles east) and Eagle Rock (1 mile south). For families committed to private education, buying in HP and commuting to a Pasadena private school is a common pattern — and the price differential between a HP home and comparable Pasadena square footage often offsets a year or more of private school tuition.
Heritage Christian School
Two campuses: North Hills (K–5) and South/Northridge (6–12). Top-ranked private in LA area. College-prep curriculum with Christian faith integration. Tuition: ~$10,912 (elementary) to $15,807 (HS). Financial aid available based on need. Ranked in top private schools by PrivateSchoolReview.com.
Pasadena / Eagle Rock Private Options
The Pasadena area has several well-regarded private schools including Polytechnic School (K–12, secular, highly academic), Mayfield Senior School (girls, Catholic), and Westridge School for Girls. Eagle Rock also has small private and faith-based options. These schools typically run $25–45K/year at the high end.
How School Quality Affects Home Prices in Highland Park
School quality and home prices have a documented correlation in Highland Park — and it works on a few levels. First, the neighborhood-level premium: families who move to HP for school access pay the same HP prices regardless of which school their address hits. The median HP home price in early 2026 sits around $1.2–1.27M, up roughly 2.8% year-over-year per Redfin data as of March 2026. That's the baseline.
The more interesting dynamic is what happens when a specific address lands in better-than-average school zoning within 90042. Homes in the Garvanza sub-area of HP — which feeds into Garvanza Elementary, the highest-rated zoned elementary in the zip — do command a modest premium over comparable homes zoned for Annandale. That differential isn't always explicitly called out in listings, but 13 years of watching the NELA market tell me the pattern is real. School zone desirability is baked into demand, even when buyers don't discuss it out loud.
The larger context: HP's school situation is an argument in favor of the neighborhood for the right family buyer. If you have a daughter and can navigate the GALA lottery, you're buying into one of LA's best school programs from a neighborhood that still prices at a discount to Eagle Rock and Pasadena. If your children are younger, Aldama's Dual Language program is a genuine differentiator for bilingual families that you won't find in most NELA options at this price point.
What I tell my family buyer clients in HP: don't let an imperfect zoned school rating stop you from considering a neighborhood with this much going for it. The options here — charter, magnet, and private — mean your child's school quality is more within your control than the default LAUSD assignment suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What school district is Highland Park in?
Highland Park (90042) is entirely within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). There are no GUSD or Pasadena Unified addresses in HP proper — all families in the 90042 zip code are LAUSD by default. You can pursue charter and magnet alternatives, but your zoned school will always be an LAUSD school.
Is GALA in Highland Park?
No. GALA (Girls Academic Leadership Academy) is located at 2328 St. James Place in Mid-City Los Angeles (90007), roughly 8 miles southwest of Highland Park. It is not a zoned school for HP residents — it's accessible via the LAUSD Choices lottery. HP families absolutely can and do enroll there, but winning a seat requires applying through the lottery and, if accepted, commuting to Mid-City.
Is GALA a good school?
Yes — it's ranked #2 among all public high schools in California by Niche's 2025 rankings, which is as strong a credential as any public school in the state holds. The STEM and arts integration program is rigorous, and the all-girls environment has been cited by students and parents as a positive academic differentiator. The honest caveat: it requires lottery admission and is located in Mid-City, so the commute from Highland Park is real.
How do I apply to GALA from Highland Park?
Apply through LAUSD Choices at echoices.lausd.net during the October 1 – November 14 annual window. HP residents don't need a permit since HP is within LAUSD boundaries. The lottery is random — submitting on October 1 versus November 14 doesn't change your odds. Results come in mid-March; accepted families must confirm by April 10. Email admissions@galacademy.org for questions specific to the current cycle.
Are the elementary schools in Highland Park good?
It depends on the school and your priorities. Garvanza Elementary is the strongest-rated zoned elementary in HP (Niche B, GS 5/10) with above-average math proficiency. Aldama Elementary has a well-regarded Spanish/English Dual Language program that's a genuine draw for bilingual families. Annandale Elementary is rated lower (Niche C+). Your specific address determines your zoned school, so verify before you close using LAUSD's school finder tool.
Is Highland Park good for families, based on schools?
It's a qualified yes. HP's zoned schools are average to below-average by statewide benchmarks, but the neighborhood has strong school choice options — particularly GALA for daughters and the 333-program LAUSD magnet system for all students. The Aldama Dual Language program is a genuine differentiator. Families who engage actively with school choice rather than defaulting to zoned assignment tend to have much stronger outcomes here.
What is the best middle school option for Highland Park kids?
GALA covers grades 6–12 as an integrated school and is the top-ranked option by a significant margin — but it's all-girls and lottery-based. For all students, Larchmont Charter (top 20% in CA test scores, K–12) is the most consistently rated option available via open enrollment. Franklin High School's 6–8 division is the default zoned middle school option. Stella Middle Charter Academy (Niche B−) is a charter alternative if Larchmont seats aren't available.
How do HP schools compare to Eagle Rock schools?
Eagle Rock is served by the same LAUSD district. Eagle Rock High School (LAUSD, 90041) is generally rated on par with Franklin. The bigger difference is magnet and charter access — HP families are equally eligible for LAUSD magnets, including GALA, as Eagle Rock families. If your priority is a specific private school in Pasadena, Eagle Rock's location can be marginally closer; if it's GALA access, there's no practical difference. See our HP vs. Eagle Rock comparison for a full breakdown.
Quick Reference: Highland Park School Directory
| School | Grades | Type | Rating | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GALA (Girls Academic Leadership Academy) | 6–12 | LAUSD Magnet | #2 CA (Niche) | 2328 St James Pl, LA 90007 |
| Benjamin Franklin High School | 6–12 | LAUSD Zoned | B / GS 4/10 | 820 N Avenue 54, LA 90042 |
| Garvanza Elementary | K–6 | LAUSD Zoned | B / GS 5/10 | HP 90042 area |
| Aldama Elementary | K–6 | LAUSD Zoned | B− / GS 4/10 | 632 N Avenue 50, LA 90042 |
| Annandale Elementary | K–6 | LAUSD Zoned | C+ / GS 4/10 | 6125 Poppy Peak Dr, LA |
| Stella Middle Charter Academy | 5–8 | Charter | B− / GS 5/10 | 2636 S Mansfield Ave, LA 90016 |
| Larchmont Charter School | TK–12 | Charter | Top 20% CA | Multiple campuses, LA |
| LAUSD Magnet Programs | K–12 | Magnet | Varies | echoices.lausd.net (333 programs) |
| Heritage Christian School | K–12 | Private | Top-ranked | North Hills / Granada Hills |
All ratings: Niche 2025–2026 / GreatSchools. Verify current information at each school's website before enrollment decisions.
Related Resources
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