Los Angeles Unified Achieves Breakthrough Academic Performance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2025

Los Angeles Unified Achieves Breakthrough Academic Performance

Superintendent Calls on Community to “Inspire Greatness” and Redefine the Future of Public Education

LOS ANGELES (July 22, 2025) – In the face of extraordinary challenges, Los Angeles Unified students have achieved the highest academic performance in the history of the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA), Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho announced today during his annual Opening of Schools Address at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

“This is not just a rebound. This is a breakthrough,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “We didn’t just meet expectations – we exceeded them. We’ve achieved the best results this District has ever seen.”

Despite a year marked by devastating wildfires, heightened immigration enforcement, rising economic pressures, and federal uncertainty, students across the District posted historic gains in both literacy and math. For the first time ever, 11th grade students on average exceeded the standard in literacy, and across all subjects and grade levels, students posted double-digit growth in distance from standard – a powerful signal of deeper learning and momentum.

Across the board, student performance surpassed pre-pandemic levels, both in terms of distance from standard and the percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards. Notably, Black, Latino, low-income students, students with disabilities, and students in the foster care system are all outperforming their pre-pandemic levels – underscoring the success of Los Angeles Unified’s equity-centered strategy.

Targeted school models, such as Priority Schools and BSAP (Black Student Achievement Plan) Schools, are leading the way – outpacing districtwide rates of improvement and demonstrating the impact of strategic, student-centered investments.

“These gains are not a coincidence,” Carvalho continued. “They are the result of courageous leadership, bold innovation, and the unwavering belief that every child – regardless of background, zip code, or circumstance – can succeed.”

Superintendent Carvalho called on the entire Los Angeles community – educators, families, civic leaders, and students – to stand together in this defining moment for public education.

“So I ask you now: Stand with us. Stand for students. Stand for the future,” Carvalho said. “Believe in the promise of public education – not as it’s been reduced in headlines or budgets, but as we see it every day. In a kindergartner learning to read. In a middle schooler finding their passions and their voice. In a senior crossing the graduation stage with pride and limitless possibilities.”

The Superintendent’s message pushed back against the growing narrative of cynicism toward public education.

“Reject the cynicism. Reject the noise. Reject the notion that our schools are anything less than the bedrock of opportunity, the heart of our communities, and the driving force of progress,” Carvalho said. “Because this isn’t just about education – it’s about justice. It’s about community. It’s about belonging. Our schools are where that purpose begins.”

Superintendent Carvalho charged the District’s educators, partners, and families to meet the moment.

“To advocate. To innovate. To invest in the boundless potential of our students. Because in the face of doubt, we will prove our strength,” Carvalho said. “We are the stewards of that legacy. And the builders of what comes next.”

He closed with a vision rooted in purpose, service, and unity.

“Together, we will not only weather this moment. We will redefine it. We will rise. We will inspire greatness.”

As part of the Opening of Schools Address, Los Angeles Unified announced more than 45 new programs that will be implemented during this school year. Highlights include the expansion of outdoor classrooms, preschool dual language program expansion, and new learning pathways that build bridges to careers.

"Let’s remember that, despite the many challenges we have faced, we’ve also seen significant progress. Our graduation rates continue to increase, as has our students’ achievement,” Board President Scott M. Schmerelson said.

“With the highest student performance that we have seen yet, these state scores signal what’s possible when we invest in equity, our students, and our school communities. While more work lies ahead, we should celebrate this progress, knowing the historic challenges faced by our students and educators,” Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas said.

“If there's one word that epitomizes the City of Los Angeles, it's resilience. This may be most evident in the academic gains of our students in the face of the many challenges of the past year. Today we honor the resilience of our students, families, staff, and communities!,” Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill said.

“I am proud that we can kick off the upcoming school year with a celebration of improvement, and am sober to how much further we have to go until every student receives the opportunity to learn and thrive that they deserve. I am grateful for everyone in our schools who has worked tirelessly to help our students see academic progress. I look forward to the District’s deep analysis of which strategies have supported these gains so that we can continue and accelerate the trend in coming years,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said.

“In the face of adversity our students have continued to embody resiliency as they overcome societal challenges to achieve unprecedented academic performance. As we applaud these positive assessment results, we must also acknowledge and thank our teachers and staff for the indispensable support and dedication they offer to our students in and out of the classroom. The supplemental programs and resources that the District has invested in recent years are proof that when we uplift the whole child, our students can focus on learning. I am optimistic that the new initiatives, like the Student and Family Resource Centers, and the continued funding of current programs will augment our students' academic performance in the coming school year,” Board Member Karla Griego said.

“I’m proud of the incredible progress our students have made this year, especially against the backdrop of a challenging school year. We have proven the power of instruction that is inclusive, diverse, and culturally affirming. These results show the hard work of our educators, school staff, and families is paying off,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said.

“In 2021 the Board set truly ambitious goals for a Superintendent that hadn’t yet been hired. We challenged our schools to close the Smarter Balanced distance from standard (on grade-level performance) gap 30 and 40 points in ELA and Math in 4 years, or an average of 7.5 – 10 points each year – something that had never been done before in LAUSD. This year, our students and staff did it – and exceeded expectations – in both subject areas!. While I was admittedly concerned about the first year of minor growth and only slightly more optimistic last year, this year I am confident that the right leaders are in place, the right systems and supports are in place, and the skyrocketing trajectory of growth is exactly what our students and families deserve. Kudos to the entire LAUSD community who worked so hard to achieve these remarkable results. Let’s do it again!” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said.

Find slide presentations shown at the Opening of Schools Address press conference here:

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Published July 23, 2025 Print