Dayton Heights Elementary vs Charles H. Kim Elementary
Charles H. Kim Elementary has a higher overall rating of 9.6/10 compared to 9.1/10. Charles H. Kim Elementary is significantly larger with 472 students, about 2.0× the size of Dayton Heights Elementary (242). In math proficiency, Charles H. Kim Elementary leads at 49.0%.
Dayton Heights Elementary
Los Angeles, CA
242 students
Charles H. Kim Elementary
Los Angeles, CA
472 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Dayton Heights Elementary | Charles H. Kim Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1 / 10 | 9.6 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.7 | 9.5 |
| Growth Score | 9.3 | 9.8 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 95.5% | 88.3% |
| Environment Score | 9.2 | 9.3 |
| State Rank | #166 of 9,533 | #9 of 9,533 |
| State Percentile | 98th | 100th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Dayton Heights Elementary | Charles H. Kim Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 42.0% | 49.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 43.0% | 60.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Dayton Heights Elementary | Charles H. Kim Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 5th | Kindergarten – 5th |
| Enrollment | 242 | 472 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 18.6:1 | 18.2:1 |
| Per-Pupil Spending | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 95.5% | 88.3% |
| Chronic Absenteeism | — | — |
| District | Los Angeles Unified | Los Angeles Unified |
| City | Los Angeles | Los Angeles |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Los Angeles (90004) | Los Angeles (90004) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $62,655 | $62,655 |
| Median Home Value | $1,457,200 | $1,457,200 |
| Median Rent | $1,752 | $1,752 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 40.0% | 40.0% |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 18.8% |
| Avg Commute | 32 min | 32 min |
The data story: Dayton Heights Elementary vs Charles H. Kim Elementary
Dayton Heights Elementary and Charles H. Kim Elementary sit 1.4 miles apart in Los Angeles, but their statewide positions tell two very different stories. Charles H. Kim Elementary ranks #9 of 9,533 California schools, placing it in the top 0.1% of the state. Dayton Heights Elementary ranks #166 of 9,533 — still an exceptional result that puts it in the top 2% statewide — but the gap between them is substantial. Overall, Charles H. Kim Elementary scores 9.6/10 versus Dayton Heights Elementary's 9.1/10, a half-point difference that the state rankings make concrete.
On academics, Charles H. Kim Elementary holds a 9.5/10 academic score against Dayton Heights Elementary's 8.7/10 — a 0.8-point delta that reflects a meaningful difference in tested proficiency outcomes. Growth scores narrow that gap: Dayton Heights Elementary earns a 9.3/10 while Charles H. Kim Elementary reaches 9.8/10, meaning both schools accelerate student learning at well above average rates. Charles H. Kim Elementary still leads on growth, but Dayton Heights Elementary's 9.3 shows its students are making strong gains regardless of where they start.
The two schools serve similar populations but at different scales. Charles H. Kim Elementary enrolls 472 students compared to Dayton Heights Elementary's 242, making it nearly twice as large. Despite the size difference, student-teacher ratios are nearly identical — 18.2:1 at Charles H. Kim Elementary versus 18.6:1 at Dayton Heights Elementary — so classroom density is not a meaningful differentiator. Free and reduced-price lunch eligibility stands at 96% at Dayton Heights Elementary versus 88% at Charles H. Kim Elementary, indicating Dayton Heights serves a higher concentration of lower-income families. Both schools produce top-tier outcomes relative to their peers statewide, making each a high-equity performer in context.
Both schools cover the same grade band, kindergarten through fifth grade, so families with children in that range have equivalent grade access at either campus. The distinction comes down to ceiling: Charles H. Kim Elementary's #9 state rank and 9.5 academic score represent among the highest elementary outcomes measurable in California, while Dayton Heights Elementary, at #166, competes at the state's elite tier without quite reaching that apex.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Dayton Heights Elementary
Dayton Heights Elementary fits families in its immediate neighborhood who want a proven high-performer — top 2% in California — in an intimate 242-student setting. Parents whose children benefit from a smaller campus community, and who value strong growth scores (9.3/10) in a school that serves a predominantly low-income population with outstanding results, will find Dayton Heights a genuinely strong choice.
Charles H. Kim Elementary
Charles H. Kim Elementary suits families who can access its attendance zone and are prioritizing the highest possible academic ceiling. With a #9 state rank out of 9,533 schools, a 9.5/10 academic score, and a 9.8/10 growth score, it is one of the strongest elementary options in all of California. Families who want near-certain access to rigorous instruction and proven outcomes at scale will find few better alternatives in Los Angeles.