San Pedro High Schools Are Rethinking Student Success
- 01. San Pedro High Schools: What Sets Them Apart Today
- 02. Key Facts at a Glance
- 03. San Pedro Senior High School: Public Magnet Excellence
- 04. Mary Star of the Sea High School: Catholic Identity and Academic Rigor
- 05. Programs and Extracurricular Opportunities
- 06. Community Impact and Cultural Context
- 07. Enrollment and Admission Process
- 08. Comparative Advantages by Family Priority
San Pedro High Schools: What Sets Them Apart Today
San Pedro, California has two primary high schools serving grades 9-12: San Pedro Senior High School, a public magnet school in the Los Angeles Unified School District with 2,481 students and a 91% graduation rate, and Mary Star of the Sea High School, a private Catholic school with 406 students, a 100% graduation rate, and tuition of $10,800. Both schools serve the Los Angeles Harbor community but differ significantly in size, cost, curriculum focus, and educational philosophy.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | San Pedro Senior High School | Mary Star of the Sea High School |
|---|---|---|
| School Type | Public Magnet | Private Catholic |
| Grades | 9-12 | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 2,481 students | 406 students |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 21:1 | 15:1 |
| Graduation Rate | 91% (above CA avg of 87%) | 100% |
| Tuition | Free | $10,800/year |
| College Prep | AP courses, GT program | AP/Honors/College Prep |
| SAT Average | Not reported | 1,190 |
| ACT Average | Not reported | 27 |
| Founded | 1903 | 1950s |
San Pedro Senior High School: Public Magnet Excellence
San Pedro Senior High School serves the entirety of San Pedro and most of the Eastview neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes as part of the Los Angeles Unified School District. The school opened on July 1, 1909, and has maintained continuous operation for over 115 years, serving generations of harbor community families. With 2,481 students in grades 9-12, it ranks #5,989 out of 9,523 schools in California, placing it in the bottom 50% for overall test scores.
The school's STEM magnet program and marine science focus distinguish it within LAUSD, offering specialized curricula unavailable at traditional neighborhood high schools. Math proficiency stands at 17% (below the 34% California state average), while reading/language arts proficiency reaches 42% (slightly below the 47% state average). Despite testing challenges, the 91% graduation rate exceeds California's 87% state average, demonstrating the school's commitment to student retention and success.
Demographically, 85% of students are from minority backgrounds, with 67% Hispanic, 15% White, 9% Black, and 4% Asian students. The school serves 72% low-income students eligible for free lunch, reflecting the economic diversity of San Pedro's working-class harbor community. Principal Raymond Aubele leads 119 classroom teachers in delivering traditional education with magnet specialization.
Mary Star of the Sea High School: Catholic Identity and Academic Rigor
Mary Star of the Sea High School operates as a private Catholic institution under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, supervised by the Department of Catholic Schools and operated by Mary Star of the Sea Parish. The school serves 406 students in grades 9-12 with an above-average Niche grade of B+, earning an A in diversity and A-minus in college prep. Its 15:1 student-teacher ratio provides personalized attention that larger public schools cannot match.
The school's Catholic identity permeates daily life through daily mass, weekly confession, Confirmation preparation, and morning prayers, with Norbertine priests teaching classes. Families value the integration of faith and academics, with 85% of parents agreeing teachers genuinely care about students. The 100% graduation rate and strong college placement-56% attend 4-year colleges-demonstrate academic effectiveness.
College readiness is evident through average SAT scores of 1,190 and ACT scores of 27, with students showing strong interest in UCLA, UC San Diego, USC, and Loyola Marymount University. The school offers AP, honors, and college preparatory curricula, with teachers providing daily after-school tutoring until 3 PM before clubs and sports begin. Financial aid reaches 70% of families, with average aid of $6,717, making Catholic education accessible.
Programs and Extracurricular Opportunities
San Pedro Senior High School offers AP courses and a Gifted & Talented program as one of 277 high schools in LAUSD, with a STEAM magnet focus attracting students regionally. The school's mascot is the Pirates, and its motto states "Together we achieve success". Regular attendance stands at 75%, slightly below the 81% state average but matching the 76% district average.
Mary Star offers diverse extracurriculars including football, soccer, softball, volleyball, and baseball, plus clubs like Academic Decathlon, Key Club, culinary, photography, and video game clubs. Students can create their own clubs if interests aren't represented, with 78% of families agreeing there are plenty of organizational opportunities. Signature traditions include Friday Night Football Games (17% favorite), Homecoming (15%), Monthly Mass (14%), and Spirit Week (14%).
- Academic Programs: San Pedro offers STEAM magnet and AP courses; Mary Star provides AP/Honors/College Prep with Norbertine priests
- College Preparation: Mary Star averages SAT 1,190/ACT 27 with 56% attending 4-year colleges; San Pedro focuses on college readiness through magnet programs
- Faith Integration: Mary Star offers daily mass, weekly confession, and Catholic values; San Pedro provides secular public education
- Student Support: Mary Star provides daily after-school tutoring until 3 PM; San Pedro offers 119 teachers for 2,481 students
- Cost Structure: San Pedro is free public education; Mary Star costs $10,800/year with 70% receiving average $6,717 aid
Community Impact and Cultural Context
Both schools serve San Pedro's working-class harbor community, where median household income is $94,895 (above national $80,734) but median home value is $827,412 (significantly above national $332,700). The area's economic diversity creates different educational needs: San Pedro Senior High serves 72% low-income students, while Mary Star's financial aid program ensures Catholic education remains accessible to working families.
The schools represent complementary approaches to holistic education: San Pedro Senior High provides public magnet excellence with specialized STEM and marine science curricula for diverse populations, while Mary Star delivers faith-based education with Catholic values integrated throughout academic and social life. Parents choosing between them typically prioritize either cost-free public magnet specialization or personalized Catholic formation with guaranteed graduation outcomes.
Enrollment and Admission Process
San Pedro Senior High School accepts students through LAUSD enrollment with magnet program applications for their STEAM focus, serving all San Pedro residents automatically. The school's placement exam and admission procedures differ from traditional zone-based enrollment due to magnet status.
Mary Star of the Sea requires a structured admission process: Online application through FinalSite portal, $75 application fee, Baptismal Certificate for Catholics, Immunization records, Placement exam on January 17, 2026, February interviews with admissions committee, and March 2, 2026 acceptance notifications. Transfer students additionally need transcripts and discipline clearance letters.
- Application deadline: January 16, 2026 for placement exam registration
- Placement exam: Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Mary Star campus
- Make-up exams: January 31 and February 14, 2026
- Interviews: February 2026 (scheduled appointments)
- Acceptance notifications: Monday, March 2, 2026 via mail and email
- Registration: March 26, 2026 (scheduled appointments)
Comparative Advantages by Family Priority
Families prioritizing cost-free education with specialized STEM/marine science curriculum should choose San Pedro Senior High School, which provides magnet programs without tuition barriers while serving the full economic diversity of San Pedro. The school's 2,481-student size offers extensive course variety and extracurricular options unavailable at smaller institutions.
Families valuing Catholic formation, personalized attention, and guaranteed graduation outcomes should choose Mary Star of the Sea, where 100% graduation, 15:1 ratios, and daily tutoring create structured college pathways. The school's small 406-student community fosters family-like relationships, with 82% of students reporting they feel safe and 77% saying they like their school.
Both schools demonstrate commitment to student success through different models: San Pedro Senior High through public magnet specialization serving diverse populations, and Mary Star through faith-based personalization with financial aid accessibility. The choice ultimately depends on whether families prioritize cost and magnet specialization or Catholic identity and personalized college preparation.
Expert answers to San Pedro High Schools Are Rethinking Student Success queries
What is San Pedro Senior High School's ranking?
San Pedro Senior High School ranks #5,989 out of 9,523 schools, which places it in the bottom 50% of public schools in California based on combined math and reading proficiency testing data.
What percent of students achieve state testing proficiency?
17% of students achieve math proficiency (compared to 34% CA state average), while 42% achieve reading proficiency (compared to 47% CA state average).
What makes Mary Star of the Sea different from other high schools?
Mary Star distinguishes itself through strong Catholic identity with daily mass and Norbertine priests teaching classes, 100% graduation rate, small family-like environment with 406 students, and dedicated teachers providing daily after-school tutoring.
What is the tuition cost at Mary Star of the Sea High School?
Tuition is $10,800 for the highest grade offered, with 70% of students receiving financial aid averaging $6,717, making the actual cost significantly lower for most families.
Which San Pedro high school is better for college preparation?
Mary Star of the Sea has stronger documented college prep outcomes with average SAT 1,190, ACT 27, 100% graduation rate, and 56% attending 4-year colleges, while San Pedro Senior High offers AP courses and magnet programs but lacks reported college readiness metrics.
Can non-Catholic students attend Mary Star of the Sea High School?
Yes, non-Catholic students can attend Mary Star, though Catholic students must provide a Baptismal Certificate; the school accepts diverse families while maintaining Catholic identity and values.
