Mar Vista Elementary vs Richland Avenue Elementary
Mar Vista Elementary and Richland Avenue Elementary are very closely rated, both scoring around 9.2 out of 10. Mar Vista Elementary is significantly larger with 584 students, about 2.3× the size of Richland Avenue Elementary (252). In math proficiency, Mar Vista Elementary leads at 77.0%.
Mar Vista Elementary
Los Angeles, CA
584 students
Richland Avenue Elementary
Los Angeles, CA
252 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Mar Vista Elementary | Richland Avenue Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.2 / 10 | 9.4 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.3 | 9.0 |
| Growth Score | 9.2 | 9.8 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 13% | 14.7% |
| Environment Score | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| State Rank | #148 of 9,539 | #54 of 9,539 |
| State Percentile | 99th | 99th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Mar Vista Elementary | Richland Avenue Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 77.0% | 57.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 82.0% | 62.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Mar Vista Elementary | Richland Avenue Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 5th | Kindergarten – 7th |
| Enrollment | 584 | 252 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 21.6:1 | 21.0:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 13.0% | 14.7% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 11.8% | 17.1% |
| District | Los Angeles Unified | Los Angeles Unified |
| City | Los Angeles | Los Angeles |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Los Angeles (90066) | Los Angeles (90064) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $107,786 | $129,703 |
| Median Home Value | $1,636,600 | $1,746,800 |
| Median Rent | $2,211 | $2,710 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 61.4% | 70.6% |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 7.1% |
| Avg Commute | 27 min | 24 min |
The data story: Mar Vista Elementary vs Richland Avenue Elementary
Mar Vista Elementary and Richland Avenue Elementary sit 0.9 miles apart in Los Angeles, yet their overall ratings diverge meaningfully. Richland Avenue Elementary holds the stronger composite score at 9.3/10 compared to Mar Vista Elementary's 8.9/10 — a 0.4-point gap that reflects a significant difference in statewide standing: Richland Avenue ranks #76 of 9,533 California schools while Mar Vista ranks #288, placing it outside the top 3% of the state versus Richland Avenue's top 1%.
The academic and growth scores tell a split story. Mar Vista Elementary leads in raw academic achievement at 9.3/10 versus Richland Avenue Elementary's 9.0/10, suggesting higher current proficiency levels. Richland Avenue Elementary, however, leads sharply on growth at 9.8/10 compared to Mar Vista's 9.0/10 — a 0.8-point gap indicating students at Richland Avenue are accelerating faster relative to their starting points. Families weighing current performance against trajectory will find these two schools pulling in opposite directions on those dimensions.
Demographically, the two schools are close but not identical. Mar Vista Elementary enrolls 584 students against Richland Avenue Elementary's 252, making Mar Vista more than twice the size. Both schools report similar low free and reduced-price lunch rates — 13% at Mar Vista and 15% at Richland Avenue — indicating comparable socioeconomic profiles. Student-teacher ratios are nearly even, at 21.6:1 for Mar Vista Elementary and 21.0:1 for Richland Avenue Elementary, so classroom density is not a meaningful differentiator.
One structural difference separates these schools at the program level: Richland Avenue Elementary serves grades KG through 07, extending two years beyond the KG–05 range at Mar Vista Elementary. Families with children approaching middle school age gain continuity by staying at Richland Avenue through seventh grade rather than transitioning earlier. That extended grade span, combined with Richland Avenue's higher growth score and superior state rank, makes the two schools distinct options despite their close proximity.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Mar Vista Elementary
Mar Vista Elementary suits families prioritizing current academic achievement — its 9.3/10 academic score edges Richland Avenue's 9.0/10. The larger enrollment of 584 students also means broader peer networks and likely more extracurricular options. It's a stronger fit if your child is already performing at or above grade level and you want a high-achieving peer environment.
Richland Avenue Elementary
Richland Avenue Elementary fits families who value growth trajectory and long-term school continuity. Its 9.8/10 growth score is the standout metric here, and the KG–07 grade span means no mid-elementary transition. At 252 students, it offers a smaller-school feel. It suits families who want a school where students consistently outpace their baseline — and who prefer staying put through seventh grade.