Serving 3,058 students in grades 9-12, Birmingham Community Charter High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 23% (which is lower than the California state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 64% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 24:1 is higher than the California state level of 22:1.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the California state average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Charter School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 3,058 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 24:1
- Minority Enrollment: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 96% (Top 10% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 23% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 64% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 15% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Birmingham Community Charter High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Birmingham Community Charter High School's student population of 3,058 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 130 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
3,058 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
130 teachers
Students by Grade
School Rankings
Birmingham Community Charter High School ranks within the top 50% of all 9,602 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Birmingham Community Charter High School is 0.26, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#3672 out of 9602 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
24:1
22:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
3%
12%
Hispanic
86%
55%
Black
5%
5%
White
4%
21%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
96%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
72%
51%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
12%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- Birmingham High School is a public coeducational high school in the neighbord/district of Lake Balboa in the city of Los Angeles, California. The school is a part of District One of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). It was founded in 1953 as a 7-12 grade combined high school, and became solely a senior high school in 1963.
- Birmingham serves Lake Balboa, parts of Encino, and Amestoy Estates.
- History: This school was built on the site of Birmingham General Hospital. This facility was a U. S. Army hospital that operated primarily as a rehabilation center for soldiers injured during World War II. It was named after Col. Henry Patrick Birmingham, a senior officer in the Medical Corps who died in 1930. In 1948, the hospital was closed.
- The site was acquired by Los Angeles City Schools in the early 1950s (for the token price of $1), and became the home to Birmingham Junior High School in 1953. The school expanded to a six-year campus until 1963, when the northern part of the campus became William Mulholland Junior High School.
- The original name of the teams was the Braves; this name was changed to the Patriots in the late 1990s when the LAUSD Board of Education voted to do away with team mascots depicting native Americans.
- From 1976 to 1979, the San Fernando Valley's first professional sports team, the Los Angeles Skyhawks of the American Soccer League, played their home games at Birmingham stadium. They won the 1976 ASL championship 2-1 over the New York Apollo in front of over 9,000 fans there.
- Birmingham High School has been used as the backdrop for many music videos and commercials, such as the music video for Gwen Stefani's song "Hollaback Girl". In addition, the prom scene in the horror movie Carrie was filmed at Birmingham; the building that Carrie telepathically burns down was the gymnasium at Birmingham (not really burned down - just special effects).
- In January 2006, The Los Angeles Times published a series of articles discussing the graduation/dropout rate at the school and how it relates to the rate for the rest of LAUSD.
- Academics: Birmingham High School offers students a full range of subjects in its academic curriculum. All students study a core curriculum of math, English, science, social studies, and foreign languages. In addition, elective classes in a variety if subjects are offered, including music, drama, and the visual arts. The school has recently created a number of Small Learning Communities (SLCs). Some of these include: Renaissance Academy, Medicine and Sports Academy, Social Justice Academy, Performing and Creative Arts Academy, Business and Technology Academy, 9th Grade Success Academy, Communication/Technology Magnet.
- In addition, many other progems such as Humanitas, AVID, and School for Advanced Studies are available to students.
- Sports: Birmingham High School has a long tradition of producing championship teams in a variety of sports. Among the many outstanding teams are Football (1963, 2002, 2004, and 2006 LA City Champions), Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Soccer (2006 L A City Boys Champions), Cross-country, Tennis, Golf, Track and Field, and Swimming and Diving.
- Many students participating in sports come from throughout the city of Los Angeles specifically to play sports at Birmingham. This is especially true for those on the Swimming and Diving teams, since Birmingham is one of the few schools in LAUSD with its own pool.
- The current Basketball coach is Andre McCarter, MVP for the Rochester Zeniths of the Continental Basketball Association in the 1978-9 season. McCarter played on UCLA's national champinship teams in the early 1970s inder John Wooden.
- Arts: Drama has been one of the programs that has drawn students to Birmingham throughout the years. The Drama Academy is the latest embodiment of this program, which has seen teams from Birmingham win competitions throughout the world.
- The visual arts are supported through a digital video and animation program run through the Communications Technology Magnet, as well as graphic art programs taught through the host school.
- Notable alumni: This is a selective listing of notable alumni.
- Gilbert Arenas - Professional Basketball Player for the Washington Wizards.
- Sally Field - actress.
- Terry Gilliam - Monty Python member, film producer, director, and animator.
- Linda Lingle - Governor of Hawaii.
- Michael Milken - financier/philanthropist.
- Pam Skaist -- Co-founded Juicy Couture in 1994 (which sold for $53 million in 2003).
- Bobby Sherman - singer and actor.
- Michael Ovitz - talent agent.
- Daniel Pearl - journalist/kidnap victim.
- Karen Valentine - actress.
- Tia and Tamera Mowry - actresses.
- Noah Soltes - Founded Planet LuLu retail stores. A national clothing chain.
- Jeremy Licht -- Actor.
- Bill Leming -- Actor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Birmingham Community Charter High School's ranking?
Birmingham Community Charter High School is ranked #3672 out of 9,602 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in California.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
23% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 33% CA state average), while 64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Birmingham Community Charter High School?
The graduation rate of Birmingham Community Charter High School is 96%, which is higher than the California state average of 87%.
How many students attend Birmingham Community Charter High School?
3,058 students attend Birmingham Community Charter High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
86% of Birmingham Community Charter High School students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Black, 4% of students are White, 3% of students are Asian, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Birmingham Community Charter High School?
Birmingham Community Charter High School has a student ration of 24:1, which is higher than the California state average of 22:1.
What grades does Birmingham Community Charter High School offer ?
Birmingham Community Charter High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Birmingham Community Charter High School part of?
Birmingham Community Charter High School is part of Birmingham Community Charter High School District.
In what neighborhood is Birmingham Community Charter High School located?
Birmingham Community Charter High School is located in the Lake Balboa neighborhood of Van Nuys, CA. There are 4 other public schools located in Lake Balboa.
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