Original Research by School Decision on Matrix for Success Academy
Matrix for Success Academy is a small charter high school serving grades 9 through 12 in South Los Angeles, located in the 90011 zip code on East 34th Street. The school operates a competency-based, personalized instructional model designed to provide flexibility and maximize access to educational resources for students in a neighborhood where most families face significant economic hardship.
The student body is almost entirely Hispanic, with a small number of Black and white students. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, making this one of the most economically disadvantaged student populations in the county. The enrollment is small overall, with a relatively even distribution across junior and senior years and a notably smaller ninth-grade cohort, which is typical of schools serving older students or serving as an alternative pathway for students who have fallen behind in traditional settings.
On state assessments in 2024-25, the school's academic results are substantially below proficiency in all three tested areas: English language arts, mathematics, and science. Only about one in five students demonstrated proficiency in ELA, zero students in the data reported proficiency in mathematics, and only a small fraction in science. These numbers are deeply below the county norm and reflect a school serving a population with substantial academic barriers. A parent may want to look into further with the school what instructional supports exist for students arriving below grade level, what the school's approach is to remediating gaps, and what outcomes students have achieved upon leaving.
The school's small size and personalized model may appeal to families seeking a flexible, student-centered environment rather than a traditional large high school structure. However, the school faces an existential challenge: its charter term expires June 30, 2026, following a non-renewal decision by LAUSD, the chartering authority. The LAUSD Board of Education found closure to be in the best interest of pupils, and the school's appeal to the Los Angeles County Board of Education was recommended for denial. The school is currently winding down operations and posting schedules for instruction and support during closure. Any family considering this school should be aware that it will not exist beyond mid-2026 unless there is a further change in the authorization process.
Los Angeles itself is a sprawling, polycentric city where residential zones vary widely from dense, vertical mixed-use neighborhoods like Koreatown to quieter, suburban family areas in the San Fernando Valley. Downtown Los Angeles is in an active revitalization phase ahead of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, with major mixed-use housing and cultural developments underway. Walkability ranges sharply across the city, with some neighborhoods like Downtown, Hollywood, and Santa Monica supporting strong pedestrian street life tied to Metro rail and bus access, while other areas remain car-dependent. The city is in the middle of a statewide housing-driven rezoning and development push, though overall building has slowed due to high interest rates and construction costs. Housing in the 90011 area is relatively affordable compared to the state benchmark, with rents declining modestly over the past year.
This school is not a place to enroll a student for a continuing four-year high school experience. For families in the immediate area seeking a small, flexible learning environment for a student who may benefit from personalized instruction, it remains an option in the very near term; however, the impending closure is a decisive fact that any parent must weigh before deciding. Students currently enrolled may want to begin exploring transfer options to LAUSD district schools or other authorized charter schools in South Los Angeles now, given the known closure date.
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