The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in Math. The lowest is 9% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Whittier Independent Study
Whittier Independent Study is a small alternative school serving kindergarten through eighth grade within the Whittier City Elementary district. It operates as a conventional public school, not a charter, and sits in a working and mixed-income neighborhood where home values are substantial and the local economy centers on healthcare, education, and small business.
The school serves about three-quarters of its enrollment from families qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly Latino, with smaller numbers of white, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Asian students. Enrollment is small, with the largest cohorts in seventh and eighth grades. The younger elementary grades (first through sixth) together form a much smaller portion of the school. State testing data for grades three through six are not publicly available, which is typical for schools with very small tested populations in those grades; California suppresses results when group sizes risk identifying individuals.
On the available state assessments, seventh and eighth graders show low proficiency. In seventh grade math, about half of tested students reached the proficiency standard. In seventh grade English language arts, proficiency fell to roughly a fifth of students. Eighth grade mathematics and English language arts both show proficiency in the upper thirties by percentage. Science proficiency in eighth grade was in the low twenties. These results place the school in the bottom quartile when compared to other schools within Los Angeles County districts on overall proficiency.
This is an independent study program, meaning the school model relies on individualized, self-paced instruction rather than traditional classroom teaching. That pedagogical approach appeals to families seeking flexibility, but it also means students work more autonomously and the structure differs fundamentally from a conventional school day. For students who thrive with that independence and need flexibility for work, family obligations, or other circumstances, independent study can be a strong fit. For students who benefit from daily classroom structure, peer interaction, and teacher-led instruction, it may not align well.
The parent district approved a facilities bond in the recent past, funded through a local property tax increase. The bond addresses deferred maintenance across district schools, including roof repairs, HVAC replacement, removal of temporary portables, and electrical system upgrades. This investment will reshape the physical condition of campuses, though it also raises property taxes for homeowners within district boundaries.
A parent weighing this school should understand that its test results are substantially below county averages, and the independent study model is a defining feature, not a side effect. The small size and the school's location in a high-need community are also relevant to the experience families would have. Whittier itself offers parks, recreational facilities, and an economy anchored by healthcare, education, and retail. A parent may want to speak directly with the school about how it structures support for independent learners, what monitoring and feedback look like, and whether the program matches their child's learning style and home circumstances.
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