Original Research by School Decision on Robert H. Lewis Continuation
Robert H. Lewis Continuation is an alternative public high school serving grades nine through twelve in Sun Valley, a diverse, working-class neighborhood in the northeastern San Fernando Valley. The school enrolls a small group of students, the vast majority of whom qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with smaller representations of Asian and white students.
This is a continuation school, a type of alternative program designed for students who have struggled in traditional high school settings or need a different pathway to graduation. The enrollment is concentrated in the upper grades, particularly eleventh and twelfth, which is typical for this school model; students often arrive after accumulating credits elsewhere or after periods away from school.
Academic performance at the school is very low across all tested areas. In the most recent year for which data is available, proficiency rates in English language arts and mathematics were both in the low single digits, and no students met proficiency in science. These numbers reflect the population the school serves: students who have disengaged from or been unsuccessful in mainstream high schools. Continuation schools exist precisely for this population, and families should understand that enrollment here indicates a student at risk or already behind in credit accumulation toward graduation. A parent may want to look into what specific supports, credit recovery pathways, and transition plans the school offers to help students progress toward a diploma.
The school is part of Los Angeles Unified, which in early 2025 implemented a district-wide cellphone ban affecting the entire school day. That is a daily operational change for any student and family. The district also passed a major school facilities bond—its largest on record—that will increase property taxes on homes in the district for decades. For families considering or relocating within LAUSD, that long-term tax consequence is a permanent fact tied to enrollment.
Sun Valley itself is a mixed industrial and residential area with a semi-rural eastern edge, anchored by manufacturing and logistics employment. The neighborhood has moderate walkability and is served by the Metrolink station and Metro bus lines. Housing costs are above the national average but below the California state median. The area is on a growth trajectory with new affordable housing projects near transit, particularly around the Metrolink station. The neighborhood has a diverse, working small-business culinary scene and serves as home to many families employed in the industrial and service sectors.
Graduation and chronic absenteeism data for this school were not available, which may reflect the alternative or continuation status of the program or gaps in reporting for schools of this type. A parent considering this school should request detailed information directly from the school about its graduation timeline, credit-recovery structure, and what happens after students earn their diploma.
See more original research from School Decision →