Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet vs Virginia Road Elementary
Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet and Virginia Road Elementary are very closely rated, both scoring around 9.1 out of 10. In math proficiency, Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet leads at 47.0%.
Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet
Los Angeles, CA
316 students
Virginia Road Elementary
Los Angeles, CA
209 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet | Virginia Road Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1 / 10 | 9.3 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.0 | 8.4 |
| Growth Score | 9.7 | 9.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 46.8% | 93.8% |
| Environment Score | 7.9 | 9.1 |
| State Rank | #172 of 9,533 | #79 of 9,533 |
| State Percentile | 98th | 99th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet | Virginia Road Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 47.0% | 22.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 57.0% | 32.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet | Virginia Road Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 6th | Kindergarten – 5th |
| Enrollment | 316 | 209 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 22.6:1 | 19.0:1 |
| Per-Pupil Spending | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 46.8% | 93.8% |
| Chronic Absenteeism | — | — |
| District | Los Angeles Unified | Los Angeles Unified |
| City | Los Angeles | Los Angeles |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Los Angeles (90041) | Los Angeles (90016) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $111,834 | $71,067 |
| Median Home Value | $1,135,200 | $919,800 |
| Median Rent | $1,797 | $1,729 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 51.6% | 31.9% |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 15.5% |
| Avg Commute | 30 min | 33 min |
The data story: Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet vs Virginia Road Elementary
Virginia Road Elementary sits at #79 of 9,533 California schools while Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet ranks #172 of 9,533 — both elite positions, but Virginia Road Elementary holds a 93-spot edge in the state standings. The overall rating gap is narrow: Virginia Road Elementary scores 9.3/10 against Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet's 9.1/10, a 0.2-point difference that masks meaningful variation in the underlying subscores. Both schools clear the bar for high performance, but how they get there differs considerably.
Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet leads on current academic achievement, scoring 9.0/10 in academics versus Virginia Road Elementary's 8.4/10 — a 0.6-point gap that reflects stronger tested proficiency at Rockdale. Virginia Road Elementary counters with a marginally higher growth score, 9.9/10 versus Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet's 9.7/10, meaning Virginia Road students are gaining ground at a slightly faster rate relative to similar peers. The combination of a high growth score and a lower academic score suggests Virginia Road is doing exceptional work accelerating students who start below grade level.
The demographic and structural differences between the two schools are substantial. Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet serves 316 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1; Virginia Road Elementary enrolls 209 students at a tighter 19.0:1 ratio, meaning each teacher covers roughly four fewer students on average. The free and reduced-price lunch gap is dramatic: 47% at Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet versus 94% at Virginia Road Elementary, indicating Virginia Road serves a much higher-poverty population — context that makes its growth score all the more striking.
Beyond demographics, the schools differ in scope and focus. Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet is a themed magnet requiring application, integrating arts into academics across grades KG–06. Virginia Road Elementary is a neighborhood school covering KG–05, one grade fewer. Families seeking a specialized arts pathway through sixth grade have only one option between these two; families prioritizing small class sizes and proximity to a high-poverty community school where gains are outpacing expectations will find Virginia Road Elementary the stronger structural fit.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet
Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet suits families who want a structured arts-integration focus — visual arts, music, or performance woven into daily academics — and are willing to apply to a magnet program. With an academic score of 9.0/10 and grade span through sixth grade, it fits families seeking a thematic elementary experience with strong tested proficiency and a longer runway before middle school transition.
Virginia Road Elementary
Virginia Road Elementary suits families in its attendance zone who prioritize smaller class sizes, a 19.0:1 student-teacher ratio, and a school delivering exceptional growth (9.9/10) for a predominantly low-income student body. Its #79 state rank despite serving 94% free and reduced-price lunch students signals a high-performing, high-support environment — ideal for families who want a neighborhood school punching well above its resource level.