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Excellent

#1127 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 12% 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

8.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,127 of 9,539

In Placentia

#3 of 30

public schools

In district

#4 of 34

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

Equity

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Golden Elementary

8.3/10

Elementary School in Placentia · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

George Key

4.1/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Royal Homeschool Academy

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Golden Elementary

Golden Elementary is a public elementary school in Placentia, CA, part of Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified. Golden Elementary serves approximately 803 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 27.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Golden Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,127 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Golden Elementary show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.8
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Golden Elementary runs 27.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency91% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+45.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+48.2 pts
Overall Proficiency91% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+27.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,626
Chronic Absenteeism8.3%

Golden Elementary — Students at Golden Elementary score 91% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

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 79.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 86.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 38 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
89%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
80%
ELA
81%
2015
Math
80%
ELA
84%
2016
Math
84%
ELA
88%
2017
Math
87%
ELA
90%
2018
Math
85%
ELA
89%
2019
Math
85%
ELA
89%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
84.9%
ELA
87.3%
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: 8.8/10.

How Golden Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
88th percentile in CA
Academic
9.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Brookhaven Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Olinda Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Brea), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lakeview Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Yorba Linda), with a comparable 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 4.1
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 5.7
Brookhaven Elementary Placentia 0.7 mi 8.6
El Dorado High Placentia 0.8 mi 7.2
Parkview Placentia 0.8 mi 7.2
Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle Placentia 0.8 mi 7.7
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 7.5
PINE TREE PRESCHOOL MONTESSORI Yorba Linda 0.9 mi
Olinda Elementary Brea 1.1 mi 8.1
Morse Elementary Placentia 1.3 mi 7.2
Star Homeschool Academy Placentia 1.4 mi
Lakeview Elementary Yorba Linda 1.4 mi 7.7
Sierra Vista Elementary Placentia 1.4 mi 7.1
Topaz Elementary Placentia 1.6 mi 4.5

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Adams Elementary Santa Barbara, CA 8.3
Alta Vista Elementary Redondo Beach, CA 8.3
Altamont Creek Elementary Livermore, CA 8.3
Alvarado Elementary San Francisco, CA 8.3
Anthony G. Bacich Elementary Kentfield, CA 8.3
Arroyo Vista Elementary South Pasadena, CA 8.3

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 ranks #1,127 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Golden Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Golden Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Golden Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Golden Elementary has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.3%

District

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

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