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Average

#1138 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Hickory Tree School

Elementary School

21720 MADRONA AVE, Torrance, CA 90503

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 33 schools in Torrance. Learn more

Enrollment

67

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Torrance

#9 of 10

public schools

California elementary schools

#673 of 1,102

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Hickory Tree School

Hickory Tree School serves 67 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Torrance, California. This small elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with just 5 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 that allows for more personalized attention. The school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10, reflecting solid educational quality.

While ranking in the 35th percentile among California's elementary schools at #1171 out of 1790 schools statewide, Hickory Tree School provides a focused educational experience for its compact student body. Located on Madrona Avenue, the school sits in an affluent area where the median household income reaches $117,364 and home values average nearly $1 million. The surrounding community is highly educated, with 55% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 5.8%.

The school's small size creates a close-knit atmosphere where students and staff can build strong relationships. With only 67 students across six grade levels, families often appreciate the intimate setting where each child is known by name. Hickory Tree School operates as a regular public elementary school within Torrance, a mid-size city in Los Angeles County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 67 students, Hickory Tree School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Hickory Tree School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Hickory Tree School compares to 20 public schools serving similar grades in Torrance, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
This School
vs
24.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
67
This School
vs
540
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.9
This School
vs
7.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Asian 64.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 19.4% vs 0%
White 4.5% vs 0%
Black 4.5% vs 0%
Hickory Tree School Torrance Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Hickory Tree School (this school) 5.9
Fern Elementary 7.1
Joseph Arnold Elementary 7.9
Hickory Elementary 6.7
Anza Elementary 6.3
Seaside Elementary 5.3
Torrance Elementary 7.4
Victor Elementary 6.7
Howard Wood Elementary 8.6
Walteria Elementary 8.0
John Adams Elementary 7.1
Riviera Elementary 8.0
Edison Elementary 5.7
Towers Elementary 7.8
Halldale Elementary 6.2
Yukon Elementary 7.3
Meyler Street Elementary 8.3
Arlington Elementary 7.6
Van Deene Avenue Elementary 5.9
Evelyn Carr Elementary 6.3
Lincoln Elementary 8.3

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 5.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 14:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,316
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 54%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 67
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Asian 64.2%
Hispanic 19.4%
Two or More 7.5%
White 4.5%
Black 4.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

21720 MADRONA AVE, Torrance, CA 90503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hickory Tree School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Joseph Arnold Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fern Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hickory Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Torrance, see our Torrance schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Hickory Tree School Torrance 0.0 mi
Madrona Middle Torrance 0.3 mi 6.0
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Torrance 0.3 mi 6.5
First Lutheran Torrance 0.3 mi
Mr. J's Academy Torrance 0.8 mi
Fern Elementary Torrance 0.8 mi 7.1
Jefferson Middle Torrance 0.8 mi 6.6
Hickory Elementary Torrance 0.9 mi 6.7
Joseph Arnold Elementary Torrance 0.9 mi 7.9
THE CHILDRENS PLACE SCHOOL Torrance 1.0 mi
PACIFIC EXPLORER MONTESSORI Torrance 1.0 mi
Ambassador High School Torrance 1.1 mi
NATIVITY SCHOOL Torrance 1.1 mi 6.4
AMBASSADOR HIGH SCHOOL Torrance 1.1 mi 7.0
AMBASSADOR HIGH SCHOOL Torrance 1.1 mi 6.7
Branch of Hope School Torrance 1.1 mi
Anza Elementary Torrance 1.2 mi 6.3
Shery (Kurt T.) High (Continuation) Torrance 1.3 mi 6.5
St. James Elementary Torrance 1.4 mi
BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH KINDERGARTEN Torrance 1.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$119,685

Median Home Value

$1,058,100

Median Rent

$2,249/mo

Population

43,764

College Educated

55.4%

Homeownership

52.5%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hickory Tree School has a median household income of $119,685. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,058,100, with a median rent of $2,249/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
DIVINE SAVIOUR SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 5.9
GLENDALE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Glendale, CA 5.9
Homestead (Alternative) Ventura, CA 5.9
IRVINE HEBREW DAY SCHOOL Santa Ana, CA 5.9
Junction City Elementary Junction City, CA 5.9
MONTESSORI FAMILY SCHOOL El Cerrito, CA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hickory Tree School

What grades does Hickory Tree School serve?

Hickory Tree School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Hickory Tree School?

Hickory Tree School has an enrollment of approximately 67 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hickory Tree School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hickory Tree School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Hickory Tree School rank in CA?

Hickory Tree School is ranked #1138 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Hickory Tree School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hickory Tree School has a composite rating of 5.9 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.

Is Hickory Tree School a private school?

Yes, Hickory Tree School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Hickory Tree School a religious school?

No, Hickory Tree School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,096/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
67
Gender Split
51% M / 49% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
188 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
LOS ANGELES
Data Year
2022–2023

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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