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
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
26.3:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Alvarado Elementary — Students at Alvarado Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 9.2/10.
How Alvarado Elementary Compares
See how Alvarado Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 51.55% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 63.98% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (562) 591-7477
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Long Beach Unified- District Enrollment
- 63,966
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,539
- District Rank
- #9 of 82
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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