Original Research by School Decision on School of Business and Tourism at Contreras Learning Complex
The School of Business and Tourism at Contreras Learning Complex serves high school students grades nine through twelve in downtown Los Angeles as a small, public regular school within Los Angeles Unified. The school is located in the Civic Center area, near downtown's civic anchors—the Central Library, Grand Park, and Metro transit connections—placing it within a neighborhood undergoing active mixed-use development and housing growth.
The student body is nearly entirely low-income: virtually all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Enrollment is small relative to a full high school, with roughly equal numbers of ninth graders, somewhat fewer tenth graders, and smaller junior and senior classes. The student composition is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with a tiny share of Asian, Black, White, and multiracial students. The data does not specify the share of English learners or students with IEPs, so a parent may want to confirm those details directly with the school, as they often shape classroom experience and staffing.
The school's most recent state assessment results, from the 2024-25 school year, show proficiency in English language arts at roughly two-thirds of students, a respectable result. Mathematics proficiency is much lower, at roughly one-third. Science proficiency is notably weak, around one in six students. Because only one year of data is available, it is not possible to assess whether these numbers represent improvement, decline, or steady state. A parent should ask whether the school tracks trends over longer periods and what supports it offers in math and science specifically.
The school's program is built around a business and tourism pathway. This focus reflects LAUSD's broader investment in career and dual-credit coursework, offering students a concrete entry point to local industries. Los Angeles hosts major employers in hospitality, entertainment, and convention center operations; downtown itself is a focal point of growth ahead of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, creating visible demand in the sectors this program targets. The school likely offers course sequencing, internships, or partnerships that connect classroom learning to actual jobs, though the data provided does not detail those specific offerings. A family interested in a career-focused high school experience grounded in a real regional industry might investigate what those pathways look like in practice.
The downtown location offers access to public transit, walkable civic and cultural spaces, and a dense urban setting where many students likely live. Housing in the 90017 zip code remains relatively affordable compared to much of the city, and downtown is in the midst of a rezoning and housing production push; rental and property values have declined slightly year over year. The area is active but can be industrial and noisy; it is not a residential neighborhood in the traditional sense. Some families will find the downtown urban setting ideal; others may prefer more tree-lined, quieter school communities elsewhere in the district.
LAUSD district-wide changes are worth noting. The district implemented a full-day cellphone ban in February 2025, affecting how students communicate and how parents reach them during the school day. Voters approved Measure US, a major school facilities bond that adds property taxes to fund building repairs and upgrades across aging LAUSD campuses, a long-term cost for property-owning families. The district's Black Student Achievement Plan, which funds culturally responsive curriculum and counseling staff, has been restructured and refunded, shaping school culture at many schools including possibly this one.
For students and families drawn to a career-focused, small-school environment in an active downtown setting, with strong English language arts support but acknowledged challenges in math and science, this school warrants a closer look at those specific program details and support structures. State test data encompasses only one year, so asking the school directly about longer-term trends and student outcomes in the business and tourism pathway—internship placements, dual-credit options, and post-graduation employment or college pathways—will give you the fuller picture you need to decide.
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