Best Elementary Schools
in Los Angeles, California
We ranked the 400 elementary schools in Los Angeles with real test data. The top 25 scored between 9.0 and 9.5 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated elementary schools in Los Angeles for 2026 are Global Education Academy 2 (9.5/10), Para Los Ninos Charter (9.5/10), and Hoover Street Elementary (9.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 400 rated elementary schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing an elementary school in Los Angeles?
Every elementary school in Los Angeles is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Global Education Academy 2
Los Angeles, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Para Los Ninos Charter
Los Angeles, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Hoover Street Elementary
Los Angeles, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Los Angeles ranks 331 elementary schools, making it one of the most extensive school markets in the country. Sierra Vista Elementary leads the field with a 9.8/10 composite score, followed closely by Third Street Elementary and Charles H. Kim Elementary, both at 9.6. The competition at the top is tight, but the data tells a broader story: 220 schools — 66% of the ranked total — score 7 or higher, meaning strong options are distributed across the metro rather than concentrated in a handful of neighborhoods. The average composite score across all ranked schools sits at 7.4/10, a solid baseline that reflects genuine competition throughout the district. Use the table below to sort by score, location, or other factors that matter to your family. Filtering by neighborhood is a practical starting point, since a high-scoring school a few miles away may outperform a closer option you'd otherwise default to.
Global Education Academy 2
Para Los Ninos Charter
Hoover Street Elementary
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Los Angeles's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 400 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Global Education Academy 2 Charter Global Education Academy 2 District | 9.5 |
| 2 | Para Los Ninos Charter Charter Para Los Ninos Charter District | 9.5 |
| 3 | Hoover Street Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.5 |
| 4 | Overland Avenue Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.4 |
| 5 | Richland Avenue Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.4 |
| 6 | Everest Value Charter Everest Value District | 9.3 |
| 7 | Micheltorena Street Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.3 |
| 8 | Third Street Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.3 |
| 9 | Icef Vista Elementary Academy Charter ICEF Vista Elementary Academy District | 9.2 |
| 10 | Castle Heights Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.2 |
| 11 | City Terrace Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.2 |
| 12 | Mar Vista Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.2 |
| 13 | Roscomare Road Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.2 |
| 14 | Clover Avenue Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.1 |
| 15 | Eagle Rock Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.1 |
| 16 | Glen Alta Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.1 |
| 17 | Grand View Boulevard Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.1 |
| 18 | Kentwood Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.1 |
| 19 | Dr. Sammy Lee Medical and Health Science Magnet Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.1 |
| 20 | Learning by Design Charter Charter Learning by Design Charter District | 9.0 |
| 21 | Carthay Elementary of Environmental Studies Magnet Los Angeles Unified | 9.0 |
| 22 | Clifford Street Elementary Math & Technology Magnet Los Angeles Unified | 9.0 |
| 23 | Cowan Avenue Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.0 |
| 24 | Dahlia Heights Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.0 |
| 25 | Sierra Vista Elementary Los Angeles Unified | 9.0 |
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 Los Angeles
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Los Angeles's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Choosing the Right Elementary School in Los Angeles
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Los Angeles's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 552 schools spanning 174 school districts, plus 75 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
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 Los Angeles, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Global Education Academy 2 is the top-rated elementary school in Los Angeles with a composite score of 9.5/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in Los Angeles, California?
Los Angeles has 552 elementary schools, including 75 charter schools. Of these, 418 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Los Angeles?
The average composite score for Los Angeles elementary schools is 6.6/10. 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 that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. 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.
Are charter schools included in the Los Angeles elementary school rankings?
Yes. Los Angeles has 75 charter elementary schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.