A Whaley Middle School student shows off the certificate of achievement he received last week. The Compton Unified School District continued to show improvement in test scores, surpassing previous benchmarks in English language arts and mathematics in the California Smarter Balanced Assessments.
Courtesy photo
By Emilie St. John
Contributing Writer
COMPTON — The Compton Unified School District continues to make gains in its efforts to educate students.
The district recently announced its scores for the most recent administration of the California Smarter Balanced Assessments, surpassing previous benchmarks in English language arts and mathematics.
This year’s preliminary results show an 8-point increase in English language arts scores and a 6.4-point increase in mathematics, reflecting an overall student proficiency of 51% in English language arts and 41% in math.
School board President Micah Ali attributes the consistent upward trend to a comprehensive instructional strategy rooted in Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Standards, data-driven decision-making, in-class intervention, and targeted professional development for educators.
“Superintendent Darin Brawley’s leadership has been nothing short of transformative for Compton Unified School District,” A;i said. “His unwavering commitment to excellence has driven our staff to continuously raise the bar in delivering quality education.
“Dr. Brawley’s ability to build and nurture meaningful partnerships with industry leaders has opened doors for our students to access world-class resources and opportunities,” Ali added. “Additionally, his steadfast guidance has ensured the district’s financial stability, allowing us to focus on providing the best possible outcomes for our scholars. His leadership has truly been the cornerstone of our district’s success.”
Brawley credits the district’s growth to intentional systems and strategic resource allocation.
“We have invested in what matters most: high-quality instruction, real-time data usage targeted student support and deep professional learning for teachers,” he said. The results demonstrate the shared vision and mission of our governing board, the hard work of our students, educators and families.”
The results include a 93% graduation rate in 2024, placing Compton Unified at number one in Los Angeles County and number two in the state among districts of similar size and socioeconomic status. The district’s College & Career Indicator stands at 50%, also earning the top spot in the county and the number two ranking statewide among similar districts.
Last year’s graduating seniors received more than $4.1 million in college scholarships to further their educational endeavors.
Compton Unified School District’s recent growth is part of a larger district-wide commitment to closing the opportunity gap and ensuring that all students have access to rigorous, high-quality learning experiences. The district’s progress reflects a strong alignment of leadership, instruction, and support systems.
“Our mission has consistently been to ensure that every student in Compton receives an education that prepares them for college, career, and future endeavors,” Brawley said. “These outcomes demonstrate that we are not only on the path to becoming the premier urban school district in the nation, but we are also establishing a benchmark for what is possible for all students.”
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist covering the areas of Carson, Compton, Inglewood and Willowbrook. Send tips to her at emiliesaintjohn@gmail.com.
