Average
#7184 of 9,533 schools in CA
Imperial Elementary
Elementary School · Downey Unified
8133 Imperial Hwy., Downey, CA 90242
Enrollment
684
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
684
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Downey
#19 of 23
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,248 of 5,817
In district
#18 of 20
Downey Unified
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Imperial Elementary
Imperial Elementary in Downey, California is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through third grade. With an enrollment of 684 students and a student-teacher ratio of 23.6:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a large suburban area, Imperial Elementary offers a community-focused approach to education.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.2 out of 10 and its state ranking is #5070 among California schools, placing it around the 47th percentile. Academically, students perform at an average level with 52% proficiency or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 47% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. While there is room for academic growth, Imperial Elementary continues to focus on student development and nurturing young minds.
The school sits within a vibrant suburban neighborhood in Downey, providing students with a safe and supportive setting for their early education years.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Imperial Elementary is 23.6:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Imperial Elementary — Students at Imperial Elementary score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.
How Imperial Elementary Compares
See how Imperial Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 41.86% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 49.22% (2024).
Location
8133 Imperial Hwy., Downey, CA 90242
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Imperial Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Williams (Spencer V.) Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harry Wirtz Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Paramount), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Old River Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Downey, see our Downey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST RAYMOND SCHOOL Downey | 0.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Sussman (Edward A.) Middle Downey | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Ward (E. W.) Elementary Downey | 0.7 mi | 3.7 |
| RANCHO LOS AMIGOS CHILDRENS CENTER Downey | 0.7 mi | — |
| Alameda Elementary Downey | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| St. Pius X St. Matthias Academy Downey | 0.7 mi | — |
| ST PIUS-ST. MATTHIAS ACADEMY Downy | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| ST PIUS X - ST. MATTHIAS HIGH SCHOOL Downey | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Warren (Earl) High Downey | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| KID TOWN USA PRESCHOOL-MONTESSORI ACADEMY South Gate | 1.0 mi | — |
| Theodore Roosevelt Paramount | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Old River Elementary Downey | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Stauffer (Mary R.) Middle Downey | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Carpenter (C. C.) Elementary Downey | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Williams (Spencer V.) Elementary Downey | 1.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Harry Wirtz Elementary Paramount | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Paramount High Paramount | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Creative Beginnings Downey | 1.6 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Downey | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Paramount Park Middle Paramount | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90242 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,238
Median Home Value
$676,100
Median Rent
$1,874/mo
Population
40,983
College Educated
24.2%
Homeownership
52.4%
Avg Commute
29.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Imperial Elementary has a median household income of $83,238. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $676,100, with a median rent of $1,874/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Arroyo Seco Academy Greenfield, CA | 5.2 |
| Avocado Elementary La Mesa, CA | 5.2 |
| Beulah Payne P-8 STEAM Academy Inglewood, CA | 5.2 |
| Brittan Elementary Sutter, CA | 5.2 |
| Brooks Elementary Windsor, CA | 5.2 |
| Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs, CA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Imperial Elementary
What grades does Imperial Elementary serve?
Imperial Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.
How many students attend Imperial Elementary?
Imperial Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 684 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Imperial Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Imperial Elementary is 23.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Imperial Elementary rank in CA?
Imperial Elementary is ranked #7184 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Imperial Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Imperial Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Imperial Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Imperial Elementary has 46.9% math proficiency and 51.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Imperial Elementary a charter school?
No, Imperial Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Imperial Elementary a Title I school?
No, Imperial Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Imperial Elementary?
67.4% of students at Imperial 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (245/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 684
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (562) 904-3578
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Downey Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,421
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,173
- District Rank
- #18 of 20
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 methodologyRelated reading
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