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Excellent

#1076 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 11% in state

Golden Elementary

Elementary School · Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

1301 East Orangethorpe Ave., Placentia, CA 92870

Enrollment

803

Student-Teacher

27.7:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Placentia

#4 of 30

public schools

California elementary schools

#778 of 5,817

In district

#4 of 34

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

Equity

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Golden Elementary

Golden Elementary is a public elementary school in Placentia, CA, part of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified. The school serves approximately 803 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 27.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.7th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 81% proficiency in math, 42 points above the state average and 88% in reading/language arts, 43 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $110,575, where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Golden Elementary is 27.7:1, 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 Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.9Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency91%
Math vs. State Avg+45.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+48.2 pts
Overall Proficiency91%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+26.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,001

Golden Elementary — Students at Golden Elementary score 91% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 80.8%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 88.0%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 14 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
85%
ELA
89%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2024
Math
91.1%
ELA
90.4%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Golden Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.2/10
89th percentile in CA
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

1301 East Orangethorpe Ave., Placentia, CA 92870

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Golden Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lakeview Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Yorba Linda), with a very similar rating. Another option is Brookhaven Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Morse Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Placentia, see our Placentia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
George Key Placentia 0.1 mi 6.3
Royal Homeschool Academy Placentia 0.2 mi
FRIENDS CHRISTIAN Yorba Linda 0.5 mi 5.8
DISCOVERY DEPOT Yorba Linda 0.6 mi
Discovery Depot Child Care Center Yorba Linda 0.6 mi
Charles Wagner Elementary Placentia 0.8 mi 6.3
Brookhaven Elementary Placentia 0.7 mi 8.0
El Dorado High Placentia 0.8 mi 7.2
Parkview Placentia 0.8 mi 4.9
Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle Placentia 0.8 mi 7.2
HERITAGE OAK PRIVATE EDUCATION Yorba Linda 0.8 mi 7.2
Heritage Oak Private Education Yorba Linda 0.8 mi
Rose Drive Elementary Placentia 0.9 mi 7.8
PINE TREE PRESCHOOL MONTESSORI Yorba Linda 0.9 mi
Olinda Elementary Brea 1.1 mi 7.9
Morse Elementary Placentia 1.3 mi 8.0
Star Homeschool Academy Placentia 1.4 mi
Lakeview Elementary Yorba Linda 1.4 mi 8.2
Sierra Vista Elementary Placentia 1.4 mi 6.1
Topaz Elementary Placentia 1.6 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92870 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,575

Median Home Value

$871,000

Median Rent

$2,267/mo

Population

52,384

College Educated

43.7%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

38

Community Profile

The community surrounding Golden Elementary has a median household income of $110,575. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $871,000, with a median rent of $2,267/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Alta California Elementary Panorama City, CA 8.2
Berlyn Elementary Ontario, CA 8.2
Buford Elementary Lennox, CA 8.2
Canyon Vista Elementary Aliso Viejo, CA 8.2
Carlton Hills Elementary Santee, CA 8.2
Cecilia Lucero Solorio Elementary Fontana, CA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Golden Elementary

What grades does Golden Elementary serve?

Golden Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Golden Elementary?

Golden Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 803 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Golden Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Golden Elementary is 27.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Golden Elementary rank in CA?

Golden Elementary is ranked #1076 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Golden Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Golden Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Golden Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Golden Elementary has 80.8% math proficiency and 88.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Golden Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Golden Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

18.8% of students at Golden 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,839/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
803
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified
District Enrollment
22,705
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,626
District Rank
#4 of 34

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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