Dahlia Heights Elementary vs Charles H. Kim Elementary

Dahlia Heights Elementary and Charles H. Kim Elementary are both high-performing Los Angeles elementary schools, yet their overall ratings diverge significantly. Dahlia Heights Elementary earns an 8.9/10, placing it #280 of 9,533 schools in California — a strong showing by any measure. Charles H. Kim Elementary scores 9.6/10 and ranks #9 of 9,533 in California, putting it in the top 0.1% of all schools statewide. That 0.7-point overall gap represents a meaningful distance at the upper end of the rating scale, where schools are already competing at an elite level.

Academically, Charles H. Kim Elementary holds a 9.5/10 versus Dahlia Heights Elementary's 9.1/10 — a 0.4-point delta that reflects a consistent edge in tested proficiency. Growth scores are nearly identical: Charles H. Kim Elementary scores 9.8/10 compared to Dahlia Heights Elementary's 9.7/10, meaning both schools are exceptional at moving students forward year over year regardless of where they start. Parents prioritizing academic attainment will find a measurable advantage at Charles H. Kim Elementary, while families focused on growth trajectory will find both schools essentially equivalent.

The demographic profiles of these two schools differ sharply. Charles H. Kim Elementary serves a higher-need population — 88% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to 25% at Dahlia Heights Elementary. Despite serving more economically disadvantaged students, Charles H. Kim Elementary outperforms on overall ratings, a testament to its instructional effectiveness. The student-teacher ratio also favors Charles H. Kim Elementary at 18.2:1 versus 24.8:1 at Dahlia Heights Elementary — nearly seven fewer students per teacher, which translates to more individual attention in the classroom. Enrollment is comparable: 472 students at Charles H. Kim Elementary versus 397 at Dahlia Heights Elementary.

One practical structural difference: Dahlia Heights Elementary serves grades KG–06, taking students through sixth grade, while Charles H. Kim Elementary covers KG–05 only, requiring a middle school transition one year earlier. The two campuses sit 7.8 miles apart within Los Angeles, making them a realistic cross-district comparison for families evaluating both.