Original Research by School Decision on Whitman Continuation
Whitman Continuation is a small alternative high school operated by Los Angeles Unified in the Rosewood-La Brea area, serving students in grades 10 through 12 with an enrollment of approximately fifty students. The school's enrollment is heavily concentrated in grade 12, with fewer students in grade 11 and only a handful in grade 10, which is typical of continuation schools that enroll students who have fallen behind or are at risk of not graduating with their cohort.
The student population is predominantly Hispanic, with a much smaller representation of Black and white students. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic need of the families the school serves. No data on special education or English learner counts was available. The school's role within LAUSD is to provide an alternative pathway for students who may not succeed in a traditional comprehensive high school environment.
Academically, Whitman Continuation's 2024-25 state test results show proficiency rates well below those of most schools. In English language arts, proficiency was low; in mathematics, it was lower still; and in science, it was lowest of the three. These numbers reflect the reality of continuation schools: they typically enroll students with significant academic gaps, behavioral challenges, or attendance issues that have accumulated over years. A parent considering this school should understand that these proficiency figures do not indicate a weak school but rather the challenging starting point of the population it serves. The school's role is to offer a structured, often smaller-scale alternative to the traditional classroom while working toward graduation.
State testing data was the only academic measure available; no graduation rate, chronic absenteeism data, or other attendance metrics were reported, and comparison data against other districts in the county was not applicable due to the school's alternative status. The school's performance should be understood on its own terms and through conversation with the school about its support systems, graduation outcomes, and how it works with students on an individualized basis.
Los Angeles Unified adopted a district-wide cellphone ban in February 2025, affecting all schools including Whitman. Students may not use phones, smartwatches, or earbuds during the school day, which could be a significant shift for families accustomed to student-parent communication throughout the day. The district has also implemented ongoing curricula and staffing support through its Black Student Achievement Plan, and voters approved a major school facilities bond that will extend property tax increases for decades as the district repairs aging buildings.
The school's location on Rosewood Avenue in the central Los Angeles area places it within a dense, mixed-use neighborhood with public transit access through the Metro system and local bus lines. Housing values and rental costs in the 90036 zip code are high relative to national averages, with affordability a persistent challenge for families in the area.
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