Original Research by School Decision on Ernest P. Willenberg Special Education Center
Ernest P. Willenberg Special Education Center is a specialized public school serving high school seniors in San Pedro, located within Los Angeles Unified. It exists to serve students with disabilities in a dedicated, specialized setting.
The school's enrollment is small, comprised entirely of twelfth graders. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The student body is diverse, with students identifying as Hispanic making up the majority, followed by Black and Asian students, with smaller numbers of White students and students identifying as multiracial.
State testing data was not available for this school. This is typical for special education schools, where students either participate in alternate assessments not publicly reported in comparable form, or do not take the standard statewide tests. No meaningful comparison to other districts' academic performance is therefore possible from the available data.
The school has no graduation rate reported because state reporting often treats special education schools, which serve students on individualized education plans with varied exit pathways, separately from comprehensive schools. A parent should contact the school directly to understand how it measures and tracks student outcomes, including employment, further education, and independent living skills.
San Pedro itself is a working-class coastal neighborhood with deep maritime roots, centered on the Port of Los Angeles as its primary economic anchor. It is densely residential with a mix of rental apartments and single-family homes, anchored by a walkable downtown along Pacific Avenue with shops, galleries, restaurants, and cultural venues like the Warner Grand Theatre. The area is on a growth trajectory: the West Harbor waterfront food and park project is under construction, and the Ponte Vista housing development is piecemeal adding homes to the former naval base site. Public transit is bus and ferry-based rather than car-light. Housing costs are significant, and the area maintains a multi-generational character, particularly among families with historical ties to the port.
At the district level, Los Angeles Unified has recently approved a major school facilities bond funded through a long-term property tax increase to address aging buildings, a policy that extends to families considering a move into the district. The district also implemented a district-wide cellphone ban in February 2025, affecting daily school culture and communication. The Black Student Achievement Plan was revised in 2024 to expand beyond race-based eligibility and received additional funding for 2025-26.
A parent considering this school should connect directly with the school to understand its curriculum, support services, transition planning toward post-secondary education or employment, and how it measures student progress within the special education framework.
See more original research from School Decision →