Education in Alhambra, CA

The district serves the City of Alhambra plus parts of Monterey Park and San Gabriel. It runs an unusual structure. Most elementary campuses cover kindergarten through eighth grade rather than splitting at fifth or sixth, so students stay in one school community for nine years. Three comprehensive high schools take over from there. The district headquarters sits at 1515 West Mission Road. This guide covers the schools, the rankings, the higher education options, and how enrollment works.

Alhambra Unified School District Overview

The district is one of the larger employers in the area and enrolls a student body that is roughly 98 percent minority, with a majority Asian population.

High Schools in Alhambra

The district operates three comprehensive high schools plus alternative and continuation programs.

Mark Keppel High School

Mark Keppel is the top-performing high school in the district. It opened on February 5, 1940, and holds California Distinguished School status. The campus sits at 501 East Hellman Avenue.

The numbers stand out. The four-year graduation rate is near 97.5 percent, and the dropout rate is around 0.2 percent. Advanced Placement participation reaches 56 percent. Students score above district and state averages on Smarter Balanced assessments in both English and math, as well as the California Science Test.

Keppel also runs strong music and theatre programs. Its marching band has performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade, and theatre students have performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

San Gabriel High School

San Gabriel High serves students from the southern part of the district at 801 South Ramona Street in San Gabriel. It earns a four-star rating from SchoolDigger and performs above state averages in most subjects.

Alhambra High School

Alhambra High is the oldest of the three and sits on West Main Street. It offers Advanced Placement coursework and a broad range of electives, athletics, and career pathways.

Elementary Schools

Alhambra Unified runs 13 elementary campuses, most covering kindergarten through eighth grade.

• Brightwood Elementary
• Emery Park Elementary
• Fremont Elementary
• Garfield Elementary
• Granada Elementary
• Marguerita Elementary
• Martha Baldwin Elementary
• Monterey Highlands Elementary
• Park Elementary
• Ramona Elementary
• Repetto Elementary
• William Northrup Elementary
• Ynez Elementary

Monterey Highlands Elementary consistently posts the highest scores in the district. Repetto and Ynez also rank in the top 20 percent of California schools.

The K through 8 model has a practical benefit for families. There is no middle school transition, so children keep the same campus, the same commute, and largely the same peer group from age five to fourteen.

Alternative and Adult Programs

The district also operates:

• Century High School and Independence High School for alternative pathways
• Alhambra Community Day School
• Alhambra Independent Study
• Mark Keppel Adult High and San Gabriel Adult High
• Scanlon Center Community Adult School
• Park Preschool

Adult education covers high school completion, English language classes, and career training.

Private and Charter Options

Families who want alternatives have several choices in and near Alhambra. Options include parochial schools tied to local Catholic parishes, Chinese and Mandarin immersion programs, and charter campuses in nearby communities. Because Alhambra Unified performs well, private school enrollment rates here are lower than in many Los Angeles County cities.

Higher Education In and Around Alhambra

Alhambra hosts several small institutions and sits close to major campuses.

That combination gives Alhambra residents an unusual range of options within a 20-minute drive.

Enrolling Your Child

Alhambra Unified assigns students to schools by residential address. To enroll, families typically need:

• Proof of residency such as a lease, deed, or utility bill
• The child’s birth certificate or equivalent
• Immunization records that meet California requirements
• Prior school records and transcripts for transfer students
• A parent or guardian photo ID

Check the district website for current registration windows and intradistrict transfer rules. Popular campuses fill early, so confirm your address falls inside the attendance boundary before signing a lease or making an offer on a home.

Timing Your Move Around the School Calendar

Most families try to land before the first day of class so children start with everyone else. That puts a lot of pressure on July and August, the busiest moving weeks in Southern California. Simple Moving Company runs crews seven days a week across Los Angeles County and can hold a summer date once your closing or lease start is confirmed. Local moves are billed hourly with a three-hour minimum; no deposit is required, and there is no fee if you need to reschedule.