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Very Good

#1769 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 19% in state

Ada S. Nelson Elementary

Elementary School · Los Nietos

8140 South Vicki Dr., Whittier, CA 90606

Enrollment

378

Student-Teacher

27:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,769 of 9,539

In Whittier

#12 of 42

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

Los Nietos

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Ada S. Nelson Elementary

7.9/10

Elementary School in Whittier · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pioneer High

8.5/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hangui Yu Inc Dba

5.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ada S. Nelson Elementary

Ada S. Nelson Elementary is a public elementary school in Whittier, CA, part of Los Nietos. Ada S.

Nelson Elementary serves approximately 378 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 27:1 student-teacher ratio. Ada S. Nelson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,769 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Ada S. Nelson Elementary show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Ada S. Nelson Elementary runs 27:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

33% of students at Ada S. Nelson Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-2.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.3 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+15.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,383
Chronic Absenteeism33.1%

Ada S. Nelson Elementary — Students at Ada S. Nelson Elementary score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 43.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 49.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
56%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
63%
ELA
45%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
50%
2012
Math
58%
ELA
46%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
45.9%
ELA
55.1%
2024
Math
42.6%
ELA
56.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.

How Ada S. Nelson Elementary Compares

See how Ada S. Nelson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
82th percentile in CA
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.1%

Location

8140 South Vicki Dr., Whittier, CA 90606

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ada S. Nelson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Daniel Phelan Language Academy (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is West Whittier Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Rancho Santa Gertrudes Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Santa Fe Springs), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Whittier, see our Whittier schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Pioneer High Whittier 0.2 mi 8.5
HANGUI YU INC DBA Whittier 0.3 mi 5.6
Los Nietos Middle Los Nietos 0.4 mi 8.0
Aeolian Elementary Whittier 0.5 mi 6.1
Daniel Phelan Language Academy Whittier 0.7 mi 8.6
Keystone Academy Santa Fe Springs 0.7 mi
Katherine Edwards Mid Sch STEAM & Dual Immersion Acad Whittier 1.0 mi 8.3
Rancho Santa Gertrudes Elementary Santa Fe Springs 1.1 mi 7.8
Jersey Avenue Elementary Santa Fe Springs 1.2 mi 7.1
Christian Sorensen Science Academy Whittier 1.1 mi 6.9
West Whittier Elementary Whittier 1.3 mi 7.9
El Rancho High Pico Rivera 1.2 mi 8.2
Rivera Middle Pico Rivera 1.2 mi 4.7
STEAM Academy @ Burke Pico Rivera 1.2 mi 7.9
Rivera Elementary Pico Rivera 1.2 mi 4.5
St. Marianne De Parades Elementary Pico Rivera 1.2 mi
ST MARIANNE SCHOOL Pico Rivera 1.2 mi 5.0
Valencia Academy of the Arts Pico Rivera 1.5 mi 7.8
B'nai Ha Aliyah - Children of Ascent Academy Whittier 1.4 mi
Ruben Salazar Continuation Pico Rivera 1.5 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90606 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,904

Median Home Value

$623,500

Median Rent

$1,913/mo

Population

31,881

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

70.7%

Avg Commute

31.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

38.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bagby Elementary San Jose, CA 7.9
Bel Aire Elementary Tiburon, CA 7.9
Bird Rock Elementary La Jolla, CA 7.9
Boronda Elementary Salinas, CA 7.9
Calavera Hills Elementary Carlsbad, CA 7.9
Camellia Elementary Sacramento, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ada S. Nelson Elementary

What grades does Ada S. Nelson Elementary serve?

Ada S. Nelson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Ada S. Nelson Elementary?

Ada S. Nelson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 378 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ada S. Nelson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Ada S. Nelson Elementary is 27:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ada S. Nelson Elementary rank in CA?

Ada S. Nelson Elementary ranks #1,769 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Ada S. Nelson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ada S. Nelson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ada S. Nelson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ada S. Nelson Elementary has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Ada S. Nelson Elementary a charter school?

No, Ada S. Nelson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ada S. Nelson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Ada S. Nelson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ada S. Nelson Elementary?

72.2% of students at Ada S. Nelson Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
81 Very Walkable
Bike Score
60 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
378
Student-Teacher Ratio
27:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.1%

District

Los Nietos
District Enrollment
1,251
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,383
District Rank
#2 of 4

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