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Very Good

#2922 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 31% in state

Harry Wirtz Elementary

Elementary School · Paramount Unified

8535 Contreras St., Paramount, CA 90723

Enrollment

432

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Paramount

#5 of 14

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,955 of 5,817

In district

#6 of 18

Paramount Unified

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Harry Wirtz Elementary

Harry Wirtz Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the suburban community of Paramount, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 432 students and employs 19 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 22.7:1. The academic performance at Harry Wirtz Elementary is currently focusing on student development with room for growth.

According to MySchoolScout ratings, the school scores an overall rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks as the 43rd percentile among California schools. In terms of proficiency in English Language Arts/Reading, 34% of students are meeting or exceeding standards, while 26% are proficient or above in math. While the school's test scores indicate areas for improvement, Harry Wirtz Elementary is situated in a supportive suburban setting within Paramount, providing a nurturing environment for its young learners.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Harry Wirtz Elementary is 22.7:1, 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 Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.9%
Math vs. State Avg-18.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,747

Harry Wirtz Elementary — Students at Harry Wirtz Elementary score 31% 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

94.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.1%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 34.3%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 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
31%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
24%
2024
Math
27.7%
ELA
35.6%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Harry Wirtz Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in CA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

8535 Contreras St., Paramount, CA 90723

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harry Wirtz Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Carpenter (C. C.) Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Downey), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ADVENTIST UNION SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Bellflower), a more accessible option. For more schools in Paramount, see our Paramount schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Paramount High Paramount 0.1 mi 6.7
Paramount Park Middle Paramount 0.5 mi 7.0
Jefferson Elementary Paramount 0.7 mi 7.0
Paramount Virtual Academy Paramount 0.6 mi
Paramount Unified Community Day Paramount 0.6 mi
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY SCHOOL Paramount 0.6 mi 5.3
Our Lady of the Rosary School Paramount 0.6 mi
Theodore Roosevelt Paramount 0.7 mi 5.4
Albert Baxter Elementary Bellflower 0.7 mi 5.7
Abraham Lincoln Paramount 0.7 mi 5.7
KID TOWN USA PRESCHOOL-MONTESSORI ACADEMY South Gate 0.9 mi
Alondra Middle Paramount 1.1 mi 8.0
Ward (E. W.) Elementary Downey 1.1 mi 3.7
Adventist Union School Bellflower 1.1 mi
ADVENTIST UNION SCHOOL Bellflower 1.1 mi 6.0
ST PIUS-ST. MATTHIAS ACADEMY Downy 1.3 mi 6.3
ST PIUS X - ST. MATTHIAS HIGH SCHOOL Downey 1.3 mi 7.2
Major Lynn Mokler Paramount 1.4 mi 4.6
St. Pius X St. Matthias Academy Downey 1.3 mi
Carpenter (C. C.) Elementary Downey 1.2 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90723 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,912

Median Home Value

$500,400

Median Rent

$1,772/mo

Population

52,546

College Educated

13.1%

Homeownership

43.4%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

33.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harry Wirtz Elementary has a median household income of $70,912. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $500,400, with a median rent of $1,772/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. 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
ALMADEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL San Jose, CA 7.2
Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary Garden Grove, CA 7.2
Alta Vista Elementary Los Gatos, CA 7.2
Alturas Elementary Alturas, CA 7.2
Ambler Avenue Elementary Carson, CA 7.2
Anderson (Linford L.) Elementary Dixon, CA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harry Wirtz Elementary

What grades does Harry Wirtz Elementary serve?

Harry Wirtz Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Harry Wirtz Elementary?

Harry Wirtz Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 432 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harry Wirtz Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Harry Wirtz Elementary is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harry Wirtz Elementary rank in CA?

Harry Wirtz Elementary is ranked #2922 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Harry Wirtz Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Harry Wirtz Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Harry Wirtz Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harry Wirtz Elementary has 26.1% math proficiency and 34.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harry Wirtz Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Harry Wirtz Elementary a Title I school?

No, Harry Wirtz Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

94.9% of students at Harry Wirtz 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
77 Very Walkable
Bike Score
55 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,396/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Paramount Unified
District Enrollment
12,042
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,321
District Rank
#6 of 18

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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