LA Schools Hit 3rd Year of Rising Test Scores

The nation's second-largest school district just proved that progress doesn't pause for tough times.

Los Angeles Unified School District students are on track to post their third consecutive year of rising test scores in math, English and science. Superintendent Andrés Chait announced the preliminary results during his first annual address to staff at Garfield High School in July.

The wins go deeper than overall numbers. Historically underserved student groups are narrowing achievement gaps faster than the district average, showing consistent improvement across every grade level and almost every student group.

Principal Olivia Flores-Torres knows this success firsthand. The LAUSD Principal of the Year transformed Panorama City Elementary from one of the district's lowest performers to a California Distinguished School in 2025. She credits teachers who refused to give up on students and children who discovered their own potential through perseverance.

The story behind the scores includes remarkable resilience. When the Pacific Palisades Fire destroyed all the equipment for Marquez Elementary's robotics team, students started from scratch. They rebuilt their robots, won a judges' award at nationals in Iowa, and advanced to the World Championship in Dallas.

Pablo Lopez, a senior heating and air conditioning fitter, earned recognition as a 2026 California Classified School Employee of the Year. He led wildfire response efforts and ensured schools maintained air filtration support when students needed it most.

Chait acknowledged the district faces real challenges, including declining enrollment, financial pressures that led to 1,000 employee layoffs last month, and fears surrounding ICE immigration raids. A projected cash shortfall could trigger county or state intervention without major budget cuts.

The Ripple Effect

The rising scores matter beyond test data. They represent schools creating environments where students thrive despite external pressures. They show what happens when teachers, staff and families work together with shared purpose.

Chait emphasized that progress requires both district leadership and school communities fulfilling different but connected roles. Central offices provide clarity and resources while schools engage families and respond to local needs.

The address opened with performances by cheer and drumline teams from Reseda Charter High School, followed by folklorico dancers from four high schools. The celebration reflected a district choosing to focus on possibility alongside pressure.

Three years of gains prove that even large, complex systems can move forward when people refuse to give up on students.