Skip to main content

Very Good

#1444 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 15% in state

Birney Elementary

Elementary School · Redondo Beach Unified

1401 Inglewood Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Enrollment

429

Student-Teacher

25.2:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Redondo Beach

#2 of 12

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,024 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 12

Redondo Beach Unified

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Birney Elementary

Birney Elementary serves 429 students in grades kindergarten through 5 at 1401 Inglewood Ave. in Redondo Beach, California. This high-performing public school ranks #484 out of 9,566 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile and earning an impressive 8.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academic achievement at Birney Elementary is exceptional, with 82% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an outstanding 87% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

The school maintains 17 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 25.2 to 1. The school draws from an affluent and well-educated community in the 90278 ZIP code, where 62% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $143,785. With a poverty rate of just 4.8% and median home values of $1,164,300, the neighborhood reflects strong economic stability that supports educational excellence.

Birney Elementary operates within Redondo Beach's large suburban setting in Los Angeles County, where families benefit from both the coastal community's relaxed atmosphere and proximity to urban amenities. This combination of academic excellence and desirable location makes Birney Elementary a standout choice for families seeking quality elementary education in the South Bay area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary is 25.2:1, 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 Progress9.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.2%
Math vs. State Avg+41.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+39.4 pts
Overall Proficiency85%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,638

Birney Elementary — Students at Birney Elementary score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 86.2%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 81.8%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 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
82%
ELA
81%
2024
Math
87.2%
ELA
82%

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

How Birney Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
85th percentile in CA
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

1401 Inglewood Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Birney Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hermosa View Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Hermosa Beach), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lincoln Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Jefferson Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Redondo Beach, see our Redondo Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ACADEMY OF THE ARTS Redondo Beach 0.5 mi 7.4
Academy of the Arts Redondo Beach 0.5 mi
Aegean Academy Redondo Beach 0.6 mi
VALOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Redondo Beach 0.7 mi 7.3
Jefferson Elementary Redondo Beach 0.7 mi 7.8
Madison Elementary Redondo Beach 0.6 mi 6.5
Washington Elementary Redondo Beach 0.7 mi 6.8
Adams Middle Redondo Beach 0.8 mi 6.9
Lincoln Elementary Redondo Beach 0.9 mi 8.0
Mira Costa High Manhattan Beach 0.8 mi 6.8
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Hermosa Beach 0.9 mi 7.1
Hermosa View Elementary Hermosa Beach 0.8 mi 8.2
Towers Elementary Torrance 1.0 mi 7.8
Redondo Beach Virtual Learning Redondo Beach 0.9 mi
Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary Manhattan Beach 1.0 mi 6.8
JOURNEY OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Manhattan Beach 1.0 mi
FUSION ACADEMY SB: SOUTH BAY Hermosa Beach 1.0 mi 6.9
Fusion Academy South Bay Hermosa Beach 1.0 mi
MANHATTAN ACADEMY Manhattan Beach 1.3 mi 7.1
Manhattan Academy Manhattan Beach 1.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90278 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,581

Median Home Value

$1,195,700

Median Rent

$2,417/mo

Population

42,536

College Educated

62.5%

Homeownership

57.7%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Birney Elementary has a median household income of $148,581. It is a well-educated community where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,195,700, with a median rent of $2,417/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Aspen Meadow Public Fresno, CA 7.9
Ayer Elementary Fresno, CA 7.9
Cabrillo Avenue Elementary San Pedro, CA 7.9
Captain Leland Norton Elementary San Bernardino, CA 7.9
Carver (Charles J.) Elementary Cerritos, CA 7.9
Charles Hoffman Elementary Lake Arrowhead, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Birney Elementary

What grades does Birney Elementary serve?

Birney Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Birney Elementary?

Birney Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 429 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Birney Elementary rank in CA?

Birney Elementary is ranked #1444 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Birney Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Birney Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Birney Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Birney Elementary has 86.2% math proficiency and 81.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Birney Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Birney Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

17.0% of students at Birney 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
85 Very Walkable
Bike Score
61 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,844/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Redondo Beach). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
429
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Redondo Beach Unified
District Enrollment
9,485
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,244
District Rank
#2 of 12

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.