COMPTON – It’s a great day in Compton as the school district boasts an impressive graduation success rate in Los Angeles County and the state.
With a 93% graduation rate in 2024, Compton Unified School District ranks #1 in LA County and #2 in the state among districts of similar size and socioeconomic status. CUSD’s College & Career Indicator (CCI) stands at an impressive 50%, also earning the #1 spot in LA County and the #2 ranking statewide among similar districts.
In California, the Department of Education tracks metrics like Graduation Rates and the College & Career Indicator (CCI) to measure how effectively districts are preparing students for their futures. Compton Unified’s exceptional performance in these areas highlights its leadership and dedication to student success. By prioritizing equity, innovation, and academic excellence, the district continues to raise the bar for education in California.
Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees President Micah Ali attributes the success to the steady leadership of its Superintendent Dr. Darrin Brawley who has helmed the district for over a decade.
“Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley’s leadership has been nothing short of transformative for Compton Unified School District. His unwavering commitment to excellence has driven our staff to continuously raise the bar in delivering quality education,” said Ali. “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. 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.”
Dr. Brawley acknowledges the district’s success is possible due to his cabinet’s alignment with implementing the board’s vision.
“The success of our students in Compton involves a shared and aligned vision between the board and my cabinet team and employees within our organization. The board’s vision provides strategic direction and long-term goals for the district, emphasizing priorities such as academic excellence, student development and student support systems within our school district. This vision acts as a guide, ensuring every decision and initiative focuses on eliminating opportunity gaps, enhancing STEAM education, improving student achievement outcomes and graduation rates,” explains Brawley.
“Cabinet plays a crucial role in translating this vision into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes. By leading implementation with fidelity, our team is able to ensure the resources, programs, and initiatives, such as in-class interventions, after-school tutoring, after-school programs, professional development, and partnerships with corporations are aligned with our goals.”
“With our board’s vision and cabinet’s implementation in sync, we are able to create a cohesive system where policy decisions are grounded in practice, and the impact is evident in student achievement and district transformation. This alignment fosters trust and collaboration among stakeholders, from teachers and staff to students and families. Ultimately, the unified approach inspires confidence in the district’s ability to deliver on its promise of a quality education for all students.”
The district’s flagship college access initiative, Compton Goes to College!, was recently honored with the 2024 Golden Bell Award by the California School Boards Association (CSBA). This prestigious recognition highlights the program’s transformative impact on college readiness and equity within the Compton community. In addition, the CUSD College & Career department was the recipient of the 2024 Power of Hope Award that recognizes outstanding districts for increasing College & Career outcomes across the district.
Launched in 2015, the Compton Goes to College! program was designed to address social inequities and ensure greater access to higher education for all students. Over the past nine years, the program has achieved remarkable success such as increased high school graduation rates by more than 30%. CUSD saw an additional 3,500 college-level courses being taken by students last year alone compared to 2015, and two schools have received a Dual Enrollment Exemplary Award from the State of California.
Compared to 2015, CUSD had 833 more students take at least one AP exam last year, while also increasing the overall amount of AP exams taken by 1840, from 962 to 2802 overall in 2024. Two of our schools have received the AP Honor Roll Award from the College Board. A-G Rates have increased by 37% during this time, from 27% to 60%.
Additionally, CUSD has entered into unique partnerships that include inviting community members who serve as mentors to the students at the various campuses and is expanded through the support of regional neighbors, the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers Impact Fund partnered with the Bikes for Kids Foundation, Pechanga Resort Casino and the Brady Hunter Foundation to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Chargers’ holiday bike giveaway last Christmas. Chargers Legends Terry Crews, Marcellus Wiley, Mike Scifres, Antoine Cason and Sean Culkin were on hand to surprise 400 students at Dr. Ronald E. McNair Elementary School in Compton with a brand new bike.
The innovative programs are a ray of light in the district as students matriculate through the district to reach the impressive graduation rate which Ali continues to attribute to Dr. Brawley’s leadership.
“Stability in leadership has been a critical factor in achieving the ambitious goals set forth by the School Board. Dr. Brawley’s remarkable 13-year tenure with Compton Unified is a testament to his dedication and vision. In an era where most superintendents serve less than four years, his long-standing leadership has allowed him to forge and sustain impactful partnerships, recruit and develop exceptional staff, and oversee the growth of an entire generation of scholars. Just this past year, we celebrated a milestone as students who started in Pre-K under his leadership finally graduated from high school. This continuity has provided a solid foundation for the district’s ongoing success and ensures that our vision for the future remains strong and focused.”