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Excellent

#1203 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 13% in state

Alvarado Elementary

Elementary School · Long Beach Unified

1900 East 21st St., Signal Hill, CA 90755

Enrollment

394

Student-Teacher

26.3:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Signal Hill

#1 of 3

public schools

California elementary schools

#866 of 5,817

In district

#9 of 82

Long Beach Unified

Equity

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Alvarado Elementary

Alvarado Elementary serves 394 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Signal Hill, California. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26.3 to 1, reflecting the staffing realities of many California elementary schools. Academically, Alvarado Elementary demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks in the 75th percentile statewide at #2354 out of 9566 California elementary schools.

Students show particularly strong achievement in English Language Arts, with 64% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Math performance reaches 52% proficient or above, indicating steady foundational skill development in this core subject area. The school draws from a well-established community where the median household income is $96,521 and median home values reach $690,100.

With 42% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 9.5%, the neighborhood reflects the educational values and economic stability that often support student achievement. Alvarado Elementary operates within Signal Hill's large suburban setting in Los Angeles County, serving families in this distinctive community that bridges urban accessibility with residential character.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Alvarado Elementary is 26.3:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64%
Math vs. State Avg+5.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.2 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+28.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,131

Alvarado Elementary — Students at Alvarado Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 49.2%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 56.5%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
51.5%
ELA
63.7%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Alvarado Elementary Compares

See how Alvarado Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
87th percentile in CA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

1900 East 21st St., Signal Hill, CA 90755

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alvarado Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WESTERLY SCHOOL OF LONG BEACH (rated 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Long Beach), a more accessible option. Another option is Signal Hill Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lincoln Elementary (rated 4.9/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Long Beach), a more accessible option. For more schools in Signal Hill, see our Signal Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Jessie Nelson Academy Signal Hill 0.1 mi 4.2
Robinson Academy Long Beach 0.3 mi 2.9
Signal Hill Elementary Signal Hill 0.4 mi 5.7
Whittier Elementary Long Beach 0.4 mi 4.5
New Hope Academy of Change Long Beach 0.6 mi
HUNTINGTON ACADEMY Long Beach 0.7 mi 4.6
Olivia Nieto Herrera Elementary Long Beach 0.8 mi 3.5
The Muse Academy Long Beach 0.9 mi
Richard D. Browning High Long Beach 0.9 mi 5.8
Clear Passage Educational Center Long Beach 1.0 mi 7.7
Lincoln Elementary Long Beach 1.1 mi 4.9
Polytechnic High Long Beach 1.0 mi 6.5
Bobbie Smith Elementary Long Beach 1.0 mi 4.3
OAKTREE PRESCHOOL Long Beach 1.1 mi
Oaktree Preschool and Kindergarten Long Beach 1.1 mi
Westerly School of Long Beach Long Beach 1.1 mi
WESTERLY SCHOOL OF LONG BEACH Long Beach 1.1 mi 6.6
Roosevelt Elementary Long Beach 1.1 mi 4.2
Willard Elementary Long Beach 1.3 mi 4.5
Intellectual Virtues Academy Long Beach 1.3 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90755 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$102,684

Median Home Value

$730,200

Median Rent

$1,817/mo

Population

11,654

College Educated

38.3%

Homeownership

52.1%

Avg Commute

31.2 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

41.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alvarado Elementary has a median household income of $102,684. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $730,200, with a median rent of $1,817/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. 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
Addison Elementary Palo Alto, CA 8.1
Aloha Elementary Lakewood, CA 8.1
Altadena Elementary Altadena, CA 8.1
Aptitud Community Academy at Goss San Jose, CA 8.1
Bella Vista Elementary Oakland, CA 8.1
Billy Mitchell Elementary Lawndale, CA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alvarado Elementary

What grades does Alvarado Elementary serve?

Alvarado Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Alvarado Elementary?

Alvarado Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 394 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alvarado Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Alvarado Elementary is 26.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alvarado Elementary rank in CA?

Alvarado Elementary is ranked #1203 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Alvarado Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Alvarado Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Alvarado Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alvarado Elementary has 49.2% math proficiency and 56.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alvarado Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Alvarado Elementary a Title I school?

No, Alvarado Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alvarado Elementary?

79.7% of students at Alvarado 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
66 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,894/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Signal Hill). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Long Beach Unified
District Enrollment
63,966
Schools in District
82
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,539
District Rank
#9 of 82

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 methodology

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