EL MONTE – South El Monte High School has been named to the 2020 Top Los Angeles County Public Schools for Underserved Students list for helping to close the opportunity gap for low-income Latino students in Los Angeles County and helping them flourish despite the obstacles.

The Innovate Public Schools list, developed in partnership with USC, features 278 schools that are beating the statewide average for low-income Latino or African American students in one or more factors, including math and reading scores and college eligibility rates, while maintaining low suspension rates.

Among the 2,075 schools in Los Angeles County, 1,346 schools serve at least 43% of low-income Latino students. Of these, only 254 schools – including South El Monte High School – have been recognized as Top Schools for closing the gap for low-income Latino students.

“We are extremely proud of South El Monte High School for earning this award, which speaks to our collective actions to ensure that all students receive equitable and high-quality education from our talented teachers and staff, each of whom dedicate their efforts to supporting the achievement of all El Monte Union students,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said.

According to the list, low-income Latino and African American students attending a Top School in Los Angeles County have a better chance of getting into college – 70% versus 41% of students attending a non-Top School.

All El Monte Union comprehensive high schools have been named among the top-performing public high schools in the state and the nation, according to the 2020 Best High Schools rankings by U.S. News and World Report. The report ranked schools based on college readiness, college curriculum, math and reading proficiency and performance, underserved student performance, and graduation rate.

El Monte Union’s graduation rate among its five comprehensive high schools is over 90%.