Very Good
#2084 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 22% in state
Ada S. Nelson Elementary
Elementary School · Los Nietos
8140 South Vicki Dr., Whittier, CA 90606
Enrollment
378
Student-Teacher
27:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
378
Student-Teacher
27:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Whittier
#14 of 42
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,452 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 4
Los Nietos
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Ada S. Nelson Elementary
Ada S. Nelson Elementary is a regular public school nestled in the Whittier area of Los Angeles County, California. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade with an enrollment of 378 students and a student-teacher ratio of 27 to 1.
Ada S. Nelson has 14 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.6 out of 10, reflecting its solid academic performance with an Academic Score of 7.4/10 and a state ranking of #3018 out of 9566 schools in California (placing it at the 68th percentile).
In terms of proficiency rates, 54% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 41% meet or exceed standards in Math. Ada S. Nelson is focusing on continuous improvement to ensure all its students have access to a robust educational experience.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting where the community values education and supports local schools.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ada S. Nelson Elementary is 27:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Ada S. Nelson Elementary — Students at Ada S. Nelson Elementary score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.3/10.
How Ada S. Nelson Elementary Compares
See how Ada S. Nelson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42.86% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 56.12% (2024).
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. Rancho Santa Gertrudes Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Santa Fe Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valencia Academy of the Arts (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Pico Rivera), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Daniel Phelan Language Academy (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable 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 | 8.2 |
| HANGUI YU INC DBA Whittier | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Los Nietos Middle Los Nietos | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Aeolian Elementary Whittier | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Daniel Phelan Language Academy Whittier | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Keystone Academy Santa Fe Springs | 0.7 mi | — |
| Katherine Edwards Mid Sch STEAM & Dual Immersion Acad Whittier | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Rancho Santa Gertrudes Elementary Santa Fe Springs | 1.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Jersey Avenue Elementary Santa Fe Springs | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Christian Sorensen Science Academy Whittier | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| West Whittier Elementary Whittier | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| El Rancho High Pico Rivera | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Rivera Middle Pico Rivera | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| STEAM Academy @ Burke Pico Rivera | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Rivera Elementary Pico Rivera | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| 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 | 7.3 |
| B'nai Ha Aliyah - Children of Ascent Academy Whittier | 1.4 mi | — |
| Ruben Salazar Continuation Pico Rivera | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ada S. Nelson Elementary has a median household income of $94,904. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $623,500, with a median rent of $1,913/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. M. Winn Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento, CA | 7.6 |
| Allan Orrenmaa Elementary Riverside, CA | 7.6 |
| Ashley Falls Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.6 |
| Barnard Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.6 |
| Bayshore Daly City, CA | 7.6 |
| Breen Elementary Rocklin, CA | 7.6 |
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 is ranked #2084 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ada S. Nelson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ada S. Nelson Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ada S. Nelson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ada S. Nelson Elementary has 41.0% math proficiency and 53.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Whittier). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (562) 692-0615
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Los Nietos- District Enrollment
- 1,251
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,383
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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