Laurel Elementary vs Charles H. Kim Elementary

Laurel Elementary and Charles H. Kim Elementary sit 3.4 miles apart in Los Angeles, but their state rankings tell a striking story: Charles H. Kim Elementary ranks #9 of 9,533 California schools while Laurel Elementary ranks #74 — both elite, but Kim's position near the very top of the state reflects a meaningful edge. On overall ratings, the gap is narrower: Kim scores 9.6/10 versus Laurel's 9.3/10, a 0.3-point difference that masks a sharper divergence in the underlying components.

Academically, Charles H. Kim Elementary outpaces Laurel by 1.5 points — a 9.5/10 versus Laurel's 8.0/10. That is the most consequential gap between these two schools, and it likely drives Kim's superior state rank. Growth scores, by contrast, are nearly identical: Laurel Elementary earns a 9.9/10 and Kim a 9.8/10. Both schools are exceptional at moving students forward year over year, so parents weighing growth trajectory will find no meaningful difference there.

The two schools serve demographically similar populations — Laurel Elementary at 87% free and reduced-price lunch eligibility and Charles H. Kim Elementary at 88% — so neither school has an equity advantage in terms of the population it serves. Where they diverge is size and staffing. Laurel enrolls 247 students compared to Kim's 472, and Laurel's student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1 is notably tighter than Kim's 18.2:1. Families who prioritize smaller class sizes and more individualized attention will find that in Laurel's environment.

One structural difference matters for long-term planning: Laurel Elementary serves grades KG–8, keeping students through middle school, while Charles H. Kim Elementary is a KG–5 program, requiring a school transition after fifth grade. For families who want to avoid a middle school search, Laurel's extended grade span offers continuity that Kim cannot.