Original Research by School Decision on Simon Rodia Continuation
Simon Rodia Continuation is a small alternative high school in South Gate serving grades 9 through 12 within Los Angeles Unified. The school enrolls fewer than a hundred students, nearly all of them economically disadvantaged. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with all students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school operates as a continuation program, which typically serves students who have struggled in traditional settings, including those with irregular attendance, discipline histories, or credit deficits toward graduation.
State assessment data for this school is severely limited. Science proficiency came in at a low single-digit rate on the most recent state test. English language arts and mathematics showed no reported proficiency, which may indicate either that too few students were tested to report a result, or that testing did not occur for those subjects at this grade level. The school's graduation rate was not available in the data provided. Without these core metrics, it is difficult to gauge overall academic progress or college and career readiness. A parent considering this school would benefit from asking the school directly about graduation outcomes, the support students receive while catching up on credits, and what pathways exist after high school.
South Gate itself is a working-class, community-oriented city roughly seven miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city has a strong family character and a well-established residential and commercial base. Main commercial corridors like Tweedy Boulevard are walkable, though a car remains useful for many errands. The local economy centers on manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and transportation, aided by proximity to regional freeways and the ports. Housing in the zip code is moderately priced for the county, though rental costs have risen and remain substantial relative to household income. The area is on an active development trajectory; planned light rail service, supportive housing, and a major cultural center are in the pipeline.
Los Angeles Unified, the parent district, has made several systemwide changes relevant to families. In 2024, voters approved a major school facilities bond backed by long-term property tax increases, a commitment that shapes household finances for two decades. In February 2025, the district banned all student cellphone, smartwatch, and earbud use during the entire school day, a daily change to school culture and student-parent communication worth understanding before enrollment. The district has also overhauled its Black Student Achievement Plan, expanding culturally responsive curriculum and counseling supports across schools with additional 2025-26 funding.
For a student at Simon Rodia Continuation, the value proposition turns on credit recovery, smaller class sizes, and individualized support in a setting where traditional high school did not work. The school's tiny enrollment and the economic profile of its students suggest a population with significant academic barriers. The low proficiency results underscore that this is a remedial pathway, not a college-prep track. Students and families should be clear about what completion at this school enables: whether it leads to a standard diploma, and what post-secondary or career options are built into the program. A parent would want to visit, ask about graduation rates and post-completion outcomes for recent cohorts, and understand the specific support model that differentiates this school from the traditional comprehensive high school.
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