Best Elementary Schools
in Long Beach, California
We ranked all 81 elementary schools in Long Beach. The top 25 scored between 6.2 and 8.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
Long Beach spans one of Southern California's largest urban school districts, with 46 ranked elementary schools covering a wide range of performance. Emerson Parkside Academy leads the field at 8.6 out of 10, nearly a full point ahead of second-place Gant Elementary. The average composite score across all ranked schools sits at 5.5 out of 10, meaning the top performers represent a meaningful step above the norm — only 10 schools, or 22% of those ranked, clear the 7-point threshold. That gap matters when you're comparing options. Schools at the top of the table tend to separate on academic proficiency and student growth metrics, so sorting by individual categories can reveal different leaders depending on what you prioritize. Use the table below to filter by score, neighborhood, or school type and zero in on the programs that best fit your child's needs.
Emerson Parkside Academy
Gant Elementary
Fremont Elementary
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Long Beach's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emerson Parkside Academy Long Beach Unified | 8.6 |
| 2 | Gant Elementary Long Beach Unified | 8.1 |
| 3 | Fremont Elementary Long Beach Unified | 7.8 |
| 4 | ST CYPRIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | 7.8 |
| 5 | Burcham Elementary Long Beach Unified | 7.7 |
| 6 | Prisk Elementary Long Beach Unified | 7.6 |
| 7 | Cubberley K-8 Long Beach Unified | 7.4 |
| 8 | Garfield Elementary Long Beach Unified | 7.4 |
| 9 | Lowell Elementary Long Beach Unified | 7.4 |
| 10 | MAPLE VILLAGE WALDORF SCHOOL | 7.3 |
| 11 | MONTESSORI ON ELM | 7.2 |
| 12 | Newcomb Academy Long Beach Unified | 7.1 |
| 13 | BETHANY LUTHERAN SCHOOL | 7.1 |
| 14 | OAKWOOD ACADEMY | 7.1 |
| 15 | Kettering Elementary Long Beach Unified | 7.0 |
| 16 | ST BARNABAS PARISH SCHOOL | 7.0 |
| 17 | LAKEWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | 6.7 |
| 18 | Naples Elementary Long Beach Unified | 6.6 |
| 19 | Tincher Preparatory Long Beach Unified | 6.6 |
| 20 | WESTERLY SCHOOL OF LONG BEACH | 6.6 |
| 21 | Henry Long Beach Unified | 6.4 |
| 22 | Birney Elementary Long Beach Unified | 6.3 |
| 23 | Longfellow Elementary Long Beach Unified | 6.3 |
| 24 | ST CORNELIUS ELEMENTARY | 6.3 |
| 25 | LOS ALTOS GRACE BRETHREN SCHOOL | 6.2 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and California education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in California. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in Long Beach
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Long Beach's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Choosing the Right Elementary School in Long Beach
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Long Beach's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 81 schools spanning 9 school districts.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in Long Beach, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Emerson Parkside Academy is the top-rated elementary school in Long Beach with a composite score of 8.6/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many elementary schools are in Long Beach, California?
Long Beach has 81 elementary schools. Of these, 62 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Long Beach?
The average composite score for Long Beach elementary schools is 5.8/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within California, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in California, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.