Glen Alta Elementary vs Charles H. Kim Elementary

Glen Alta Elementary and Charles H. Kim Elementary are both high-performing Los Angeles schools, but Charles H. Kim Elementary holds a meaningful edge in state standing: #9 of 9,533 California schools versus Glen Alta Elementary's #41 — a 32-position gap that puts Kim in the top 0.1% statewide. Their overall ratings are close (9.4 vs. 9.6 out of 10 in favor of Kim), but that slim margin obscures a sharper difference when you look beneath the surface.

Academically, Charles H. Kim Elementary scores 9.5/10 against Glen Alta Elementary's 8.6/10 — a 0.9-point gap that reflects meaningfully higher tested proficiency. Growth scores are nearly identical: Glen Alta Elementary earns a 9.7/10 versus Kim's 9.8/10, meaning both schools are accelerating student progress at exceptional rates. The distinction between these schools is less about trajectory and more about where students are performing right now.

Glen Alta Elementary serves 116 students with a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio, while Charles H. Kim Elementary enrolls 472 students at 18.2:1. Glen Alta's smaller size translates to roughly 4 fewer students per teacher — a tangible classroom difference. Both schools serve predominantly low-income populations: Glen Alta Elementary's free and reduced-price lunch rate is 97%, compared to Charles H. Kim Elementary's 88%. Glen Alta's higher FRL concentration alongside its stronger growth score suggests the school is effectively closing gaps for its highest-need students.

On grade span, the two schools diverge structurally: Glen Alta Elementary runs KG through 8th grade, covering elementary and middle school years under one roof, while Charles H. Kim Elementary serves KG through 5th grade only. Families choosing Kim will need to plan a middle school transition after 5th grade; families at Glen Alta can stay put through 8th. The two campuses sit 6.3 miles apart within Los Angeles, making a side-by-side visit practical for families whose address puts them near the boundary.