Niche rates RBUSD top school district in L.A.
Redondo Beach Unified School District has been ranked the best school district in greater Los Angeles in Niche ratings 2025, which also put RBUSD at no. 5 statewide, and no. 40 nationally, out of 10,561 districts assessed.
Niche, based in Pittsburgh, Penn., evaluates districts using submitted reviews by students, parents and teachers, along with data from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Census, FBI and the School Attendance Boundary Survey from the National Center for Education Statistics.
“We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment and deeply grateful for the ongoing support from our students, parents/guardians, staff, and community partners,” said RBUSD Superintendent Nicole Wesley.
Palos Verdes Unified School District was ranked no. 6 in California, while El Segundo Unified appeared at no. 24 and Manhattan Beach Unified no. 25.
Last year RBUSD was ranked no. 6 in greater L.A., no. 12 in California and no. 83 nationwide.
For more information on the analysis of RBUSD: niche.com/k12/d/redondo-
SOCAL ROC enrollment up 24% over last year
Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SoCal ROC) Assistant Superintendent Ashley Davis announced last week that enrollment for the fall semester increased 24 percent over fall 2023 – from 524 students to 658.
She reported that the added students were about equal numbers of high school and adult learners.
SoCal ROC credits the increase to its partnerships with high schools, local businesses and community members.
The school districts of Torrance, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Inglewood and El Segundo each cover the cost to send their students to the center in Torrance.
RBUSD reports enrollment lift as transitional kindergarten classes debut
Redondo Unified School District reports an enrollment of 9,455 students for fall 2024-25, up 10 kids from last year, with schools ranging from a 27-student drop to a 41-student gain as transitional kindergarten was introduced to the district; at Tulita, Beryl Heights, Jefferson, Madison and Lincoln elementary schools.
“Thanks to T.K.,” said Superintendent Nicole Wesley, noting that she hopes the children will stay in the district.
At least two transitional kindergarten classes were added to the above schools, with a limit of 24 students in each.
Boardmember Rolf Strutzenberg asked what the enrollment number would be without T.K.
“Sounds like we’d be down about a hundred or so without T.K.,” he said at the Sept. 24 board meeting.
In a time of overall declining enrollment for L.A. County Schools, districts have made efforts to increase their numbers, which are tied to state funding. ER
