BHUSD Academic Scores Surge To Highest Levels In Years

Beverly Hills Unified School District students are scoring higher, applying to more colleges and meeting stronger academic benchmarks, according to results presented during the June 23 Board of Education meeting.

The district presented its 2025-26 Strategic Plan and Local Control Accountability Plan results, reporting some of its strongest academic outcomes in years.

Across BHUSD, California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress scores increased by 4% in English Language Arts, 5% in Mathematics and 9% in Science. The district also reported that it no longer has any metrics rated below “Meets Standard” on the California Dashboard, a milestone BHUSD said it has not reached since the dashboard was introduced in 2017.

District officials attributed the gains to investments in curriculum, instruction, tutoring, counseling and student support. Over the past two school years, BHUSD reported a 9-point increase in English Language Arts and a 10-point increase in math across the district.

The district’s 9% single-year increase in science was tied to several changes, including the return of science to the core elementary school day, a new TK-8 science curriculum adoption and a districtwide elementary science fair that drew record student participation.

The Class of 2026 also showed major growth in college readiness. Applications to four-year colleges and universities increased by 37% compared to the Class of 2025, which district officials connected to the Board of Education’s expansion of the college counseling program.

The expanded counseling program reduced the student-to-counselor ratio and provided students with more individualized guidance during the college application process.

According to the district, 15 students were accepted to USC, seven more than the previous year. BHUSD also reported three additional students enrolled at UCLA compared to last year, with gains also recorded at UC Santa Barbara and UC Santa Cruz.

The share of students accepted to a four-year institution increased by 6% year over year. The number of graduating seniors earning the California Seal of Biliteracy also nearly doubled, rising from 37 students to 72. The recognition is awarded to students who demonstrate biliteracy in languages including Spanish, French or Hebrew.

BHUSD also reported gains through high-impact tutoring developed in partnership with Stanford University through a dedicated grant. The program supported students at Horace Mann and El Rodeo Elementary Schools and helped move students out of below-grade-level status.

Additional districtwide indicators also improved. SAT participation increased by 8%, while the percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher on Advanced Placement exams rose from 84% to 88%.

The district also met a 95% attendance rate while reducing suspension rates, which officials said reflected both higher expectations for students and stronger systems of support.

“These results show what happens when a district works together to put kids first,” said BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss. “The Board invested in our classrooms, tutoring, curriculum, and college counseling, and our teachers, staff, families, and students turned those investments into real results. More students are achieving at higher levels, and more students are prepared for what comes next.”

“The record of achievement at BHUSD is here to stay,” said Board of Education President Judith Manouchehri. “Our students’ scores increased by 4% in English, 5% in mathematics, and 9% in science, while four-year college applications increased by 37%. These results affirm the vision of the Board and the extraordinary work taking place in every classroom, office, and home across our District. Our students, educators, staff, and families have given this work everything they have, and the entire Beverly Hills community should be exceptionally proud.”

BHUSD said it will continue building on the progress in the 2026-27 school year, with continued focus on counseling, curriculum, tutoring and academic programs that have helped move student results forward.