Skip to main content

Average

#4875 of 9,533 schools in CA

Birney Elementary

Elementary School · Long Beach Unified

710 West Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90806

Enrollment

496

Student-Teacher

22.5:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Long Beach

#26 of 77

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,984 of 5,817

In district

#31 of 82

Long Beach Unified

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Birney Elementary

Birney Elementary is a regular public school located in the heart of Long Beach, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 496 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. Birney Elementary offers a supportive learning environment where educators focus on fostering each child's growth and development.

Academically, Birney Elementary holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10, placing it in the 58th percentile among schools in California. The school’s performance shows that 43% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 39% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate areas for improvement but also highlight the potential for future academic growth.

Birney Elementary is situated in a large city setting within Long Beach, providing students with access to diverse cultural and educational resources. The school's commitment to student development makes it an integral part of the community, offering a nurturing environment where children can thrive both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary is 22.5:1, 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 Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.2%
Math vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.6 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,131

Birney Elementary — Students at Birney Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 39.4%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 42.6%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 11 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
48%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
27%
2024
Math
40.3%
ELA
41.5%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Birney Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in CA
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

710 West Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90806

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Birney Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Garfield Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is OAKWOOD ACADEMY (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST LUCY SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Long Beach, see our Long Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
PACIFIC BAPTIST SCHOOL Long Beach 0.5 mi 7.8
Lafayette Elementary Long Beach 0.7 mi 3.6
Muir K-8 Long Beach 0.6 mi 4.5
Holy Innocents Elementary Long Beach 0.7 mi
Los Cerritos Elementary Long Beach 1.2 mi 5.3
Success Work College Preparatory Academy Long Beach 1.0 mi
Webster Elementary Long Beach 1.0 mi 4.0
Stephens Middle Long Beach 1.0 mi 8.8
Garfield Elementary Long Beach 1.1 mi 7.4
Intellectual Virtues Academy of Long Beach Long Beach 1.1 mi 5.3
St. Lucy School Long Beach 1.2 mi
ST LUCY SCHOOL Long Beach 1.2 mi 6.0
College Bridge Academy Long Beach 1.2 mi 6.5
The Education Corps Long Beach 1.2 mi 4.8
Bobbie Smith Elementary Long Beach 1.3 mi 4.3
OAKWOOD ACADEMY Long Beach 1.4 mi 7.1
VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Long Beach 1.4 mi 6.2
Educational Partnership High Long Beach 1.5 mi 6.2
Hudson Long Beach 1.4 mi 5.8
Cabrillo High Long Beach 1.5 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,674

Median Home Value

$699,800

Median Rent

$1,672/mo

Population

39,972

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

36.3%

Avg Commute

30.9 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Birney Elementary has a median household income of $73,674. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $699,800, with a median rent of $1,672/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. 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
Agnes M. Baptist Elementary Modesto, CA 6.3
Anza Elementary Torrance, CA 6.3
Arts In Action Community Charter Los Angeles, CA 6.3
BAYMONTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scotts Valley, CA 6.3
Badillo Elementary Covina, CA 6.3
Barbara Comstock Morse Elementary Sacramento, CA 6.3

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 496 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary is 22.5:1. 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 #4875 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Birney Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Birney Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 39.4% math proficiency and 42.6% 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?

67.3% 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

City Safety
High (4,186/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
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
#31 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

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.