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Average

#4090 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 43% in state

Imperial Elementary

Elementary School · Downey Unified

8133 Imperial Hwy., Downey, CA 90242

Enrollment

684

Student-Teacher

23.6:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,090 of 9,539

In Downey

#11 of 23

public schools

In district

#11 of 20

Downey Unified

Academic performance

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Imperial Elementary

6.7/10

Elementary School in Downey · grades Kindergarten – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Raymond School

6.1/10

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

Sussman (edward A.) Middle

7.0/10

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

About Imperial Elementary

Imperial Elementary is a public elementary school in Downey, CA, part of Downey Unified. Imperial Elementary serves approximately 684 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-3rd, and has a 23.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Imperial Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #4,090 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Imperial Elementary show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Imperial Elementary runs 23.6:1 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.

44% of students at Imperial Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-3.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.4 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,173
Chronic Absenteeism43.9%

Imperial Elementary — Students at Imperial Elementary score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
40.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 47.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.0% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 26 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
57%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
41.9%
ELA
49.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.

How Imperial Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in CA
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.9%

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 8.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Old River Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Carpenter (C. C.) Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 5.3
RANCHO LOS AMIGOS CHILDRENS CENTER Downey 0.7 mi
Alameda Elementary Downey 0.7 mi 6.3
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 6.8
KID TOWN USA PRESCHOOL-MONTESSORI ACADEMY South Gate 1.0 mi
Theodore Roosevelt Paramount 1.0 mi 5.5
Old River Elementary Downey 1.1 mi 6.7
Stauffer (Mary R.) Middle Downey 1.2 mi 6.5
Carpenter (C. C.) Elementary Downey 1.2 mi 6.5
Williams (Spencer V.) Elementary Downey 1.4 mi 8.0
Harry Wirtz Elementary Paramount 1.5 mi 6.5
Paramount High Paramount 1.6 mi 6.8
Creative Beginnings Downey 1.6 mi
MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Downey 1.7 mi 6.3
Paramount Park Middle Paramount 1.7 mi 7.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ambler Avenue Elementary Carson, CA 6.7
Amestoy Elementary Gardena, CA 6.7
Anna Kirchgater Elementary Sacramento, CA 6.7
Arroyo Elementary Tustin, CA 6.7
Ascot Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA 6.7
Baldwin (Julia) Elementary San Jose, CA 6.7

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 ranks #4,090 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Imperial Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Imperial Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Imperial Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Imperial Elementary has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.9%

District

Downey Unified
District Enrollment
22,421
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,173
District Rank
#11 of 20

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