The Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies is a public university preparatory secondary school located on 18th Street between La Cienega Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue in the Faircrest Heights district of Los Angeles, California, on the former site of Louis Pasteur Middle School.
Serving 1,357 students in grades 6-12, Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies ranks in the top 20% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 47% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 69% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 21:1 is equal to the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Alternative school
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 1,357 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
- Minority Enrollment: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 94% (Top 30% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 47% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 69% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 42% (Top 30%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies's student population of 1,357 students has declined by 17% over five school years.
The teacher population of 66 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
Total Students
1,357 students
Total Classroom Teachers
66 teachers
Year Founded
1977
Colors
Blue, Gold
School Rankings
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies ranks within the top 20% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies is 0.76, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1777 out of 9523 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
69%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
15%
12%
Hispanic
35%
56%
Black
16%
5%
White
27%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
7%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
94%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
51%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Unicorn
- The Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies is a university preparatory secondary school located in Los Angeles, California, United States.
- LACES, which serves grades 6 through 12, is a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District.
- LACES is consistently ranked highly by Newsweek Magazine for its rigorous courses and exceptional performance. Students at Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies are encouraged to take multiple Advanced Placement Courses. The school is located on the old Louis Pasteur Middle School site and boasts one of the highest API index ratings in LAUSD.
- The school is a California Distinguished School and National Blue Ribbon School. It has enrolled students such as Christopher Cabaldon, Quinn Cummings, Patricia Arquette, Leonardo Di Caprio, Marques Houston, Shane West, and David Arquette. LACES is a magnet school and buses in students from around Los Angeles. The students are allowed to take a variety of classes, including one extra period in which to take an elective class, for a total of seven classes per year. (Lending to the school's title as a "Center for Enriched Studies".)
- LACES is one of the top schools in the nation. In 2003, it was ranked 10th in the nation among public schools. This ranking was devised by calculating the total number of Advanced Placement courses taken by the graduating class and dividing it by that class. In California, LACES ranked number 1. In 2005, Newsweek again did a rating of high schools, and LACES dropped to 28th nationally and 3rd in California.
- LACES has a loose rivalry with Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, also known as SOCES. The rivalry is based for the most part from their titles as Centers for Enriched Studies, and in some sense is more of a token rivalry.
- History: LACES was founded as the "Center for Enriched Studies" (minus the "LA") in September 1977 as the first magnet school in the Los Angeles Unified School District. It was the first school created as part of the District's voluntary integration program. The founding principal was David Peha. In the 1977-78 school year, the school was housed in rented classroom space at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple. It had an enrollment of about 450 students in grades 4 through 8. However, the Temple building did not meet LAUSD earthquake safety standards, so the following year, 1978-79, the school was relocated to an unused building on the Hamilton High School campus. It also added the 9th grade. Starting in the 1979-80 school year, the school moved once again, this time to an abandoned Catholic school campus at Pico and Arlington in Midtown Los Angeles which the LAUSD purchased. The original classroom building at the Catholic school was demolished and classroom bungalows were installed. LACES continued to add a grade level until reaching the 12 grade in the 1981-82 school year. The first graduating class of LACES was in June, 1982. LACES remained at the Pico and Arlington site until moving to its current site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies's ranking?
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies is ranked #1777 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in California.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
47% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 69% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies?
The graduation rate of Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies is 94%, which is higher than the California state average of 87%.
How many students attend Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies?
1,357 students attend Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
35% of Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies students are Hispanic, 27% of students are White, 16% of students are Black, 15% of students are Asian, and 7% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies?
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies has a student ration of 21:1, which is equal to the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies offer ?
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies offers enrollment in grades 6-12
What school district is Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies part of?
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies is part of Los Angeles Unified School District.
In what neighborhood is Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies located?
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies is located in the Mid City neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. There are 6 other public schools located in Mid City.
School Calendar
View the Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:
Event
Date
Last Day of School - Minimum Day
June 10, 2026 (Wednesday)
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