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Excellent

#279 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 3% in state

Christopher Dena Elementary

Elementary School · Los Angeles Unified

1314 Dacotah St., Los Angeles, CA 90023

Enrollment

337

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Los Angeles

#64 of 563

public schools

California elementary schools

#218 of 5,817

In district

#94 of 769

Los Angeles Unified

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Christopher Dena Elementary

Christopher Dena Elementary is a public elementary school in Los Angeles, CA, part of the Los Angeles Unified. The school serves approximately 337 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 97.1th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 32% proficiency in math, 6 points below the state average and 37% in reading/language arts, 9 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $56,623, where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large city setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.4%
Math vs. State Avg-11.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,030

Christopher Dena Elementary — Students at Christopher Dena Elementary score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.4%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 36.9%
School
State
45.4%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
24%
ELA
34%
2024
Math
34.1%
ELA
37.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.

How Christopher Dena Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
97th percentile in CA
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

1314 Dacotah St., Los Angeles, CA 90023

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Christopher Dena Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Soto Street Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Garza (Carmen Lomas) Primary Center (rated 7.8/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Euclid Avenue Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Los Angeles, see our Los Angeles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Resurrection Los Angeles 0.4 mi
RESURRECTION SCHOOL Los Angeles 0.4 mi 4.0
Garza (Carmen Lomas) Primary Center Los Angeles 0.4 mi 7.8
Sunrise Elementary Los Angeles 0.5 mi 6.7
Oscar De La Hoya Animo Charter High Los Angeles 0.5 mi 7.5
Extera Public School No. 2 Los Angeles 0.5 mi 6.4
Lorena Street Elementary Los Angeles 0.5 mi 6.7
KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory Los Angeles 0.7 mi 4.7
KIPP Endeavor College Preparatory Charter Los Angeles 0.6 mi 7.3
KIPP Promesa Prep Los Angeles 0.6 mi 4.6
Euclid Avenue Elementary Los Angeles 0.7 mi 7.4
Soto Street Elementary Los Angeles 0.7 mi 8.9
Bishop Mora Salesian High School Los Angeles 0.8 mi
SCHOOL OF SANTA ISABEL Los Angeles 0.8 mi 4.9
School of Santa Isabel Los Angeles 0.8 mi
Hollenbeck Middle Los Angeles 1.0 mi 7.8
Boyle Heights Sci Tech Engr and Math Magnet Los Angeles 1.0 mi 9.5
Boyle Heights Continuation Los Angeles 1.1 mi 5.0
Cristo Viene Christian Scool Los Angeles 0.9 mi
OUR LADY OF TALPA SCHOOL Los Angeles 1.1 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,623

Median Home Value

$617,600

Median Rent

$1,414/mo

Population

44,608

College Educated

10.2%

Homeownership

25.8%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

21.9%

Median Age

31.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Christopher Dena Elementary has a median household income of $56,623. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $617,600, with a median rent of $1,414/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Aragon Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.9
Buena Vista Arts-Integrated Montclair, CA 8.9
Cortada Elementary El Monte, CA 8.9
Dahlia Heights Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.9
Del Amo Elementary Carson, CA 8.9
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy Sausalito, CA 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Christopher Dena Elementary

What grades does Christopher Dena Elementary serve?

Christopher Dena Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Christopher Dena Elementary?

Christopher Dena Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 337 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Christopher Dena Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Christopher Dena Elementary is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Christopher Dena Elementary rank in CA?

Christopher Dena Elementary is ranked #279 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Christopher Dena Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Christopher Dena Elementary has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Christopher Dena Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Christopher Dena Elementary has 32.4% math proficiency and 36.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Christopher Dena Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Christopher Dena Elementary a Title I school?

No, Christopher Dena Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

93.8% of students at Christopher Dena 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
82 Very Walkable
Transit Score
53 Good Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,223/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Los Angeles). Data >1 year old.

Compare This School

How does Christopher Dena Elementary stack up?

Sierra Vista Elementary
9.8
Third Street Elementary
9.6
Charles H. Kim Elementary
9.6
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
337
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Los Angeles Unified
District Enrollment
419,929
Schools in District
785
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,687
District Rank
#94 of 769

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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