Laurel Elementary vs Multnomah Street Elementary

Multnomah Street Elementary ranks #20 of 9,533 California schools, placing it in the top 0.2% statewide. Laurel Elementary is no underperformer at #74 of 9,533 — a top-1% finish — but the 54-rank gap between two schools 9.8 miles apart in Los Angeles is meaningful when choosing where to enroll a child. The overall ratings are close: 9.5 vs. 9.3, a 0.2-point difference that masks more significant divergence underneath.

On academics, Multnomah Street Elementary holds a 9.3/10 against Laurel Elementary's 8.0/10 — a 1.3-point gap that reflects a real difference in measured proficiency. Growth tells a different story: Laurel Elementary scores 9.9/10 on student growth versus Multnomah Street Elementary's 9.8/10, a statistical tie that signals both schools are highly effective at advancing students regardless of where they start. Families prioritizing grade-level mastery will lean toward Multnomah Street; those who want evidence of strong individual-student progress year over year will find Laurel Elementary equally compelling.

Laurel Elementary serves 247 students with a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio, compared to Multnomah Street Elementary's 336 students at 19.8:1. That's 4.4 fewer students per teacher at Laurel — a tangible classroom-size advantage. Laurel Elementary also serves a higher-need population: 87% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch versus 71% at Multnomah Street Elementary. Laurel's near-perfect growth score alongside its higher FRL share suggests the school is effectively reaching economically disadvantaged students, a meaningful equity signal.

One structural difference shapes long-term enrollment planning: Laurel Elementary runs from kindergarten through 8th grade, covering all of elementary and middle school in a single building, while Multnomah Street Elementary serves only KG–5. Families at Multnomah Street will navigate a middle school transition after 5th grade. For households wanting continuity through early adolescence without a school change, Laurel's extended grade span is a concrete advantage that Multnomah Street cannot match.