Below Average
#8171 of 9,533 schools in CA
James A. Whitaker Elementary
Elementary School · Buena Park Elementary
8401 Montana St., Buena Park, CA 90621
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buena Park
#13 of 14
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,842 of 5,817
In district
#6 of 7
Buena Park Elementary
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About James A. Whitaker Elementary
James A. Whitaker Elementary is an elementary school located in Buena Park, California, in the heart of Orange County. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has a student body of 579 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20:1.
This ensures that each teacher can provide individual attention to their students. Whitaker Elementary is dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment, though the current academic performance places it in the lower 20th percentile among California schools, based on its MySchoolScout rating and state ranking. The school's recent test scores show that 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 31% are proficient or above in math.
While these numbers suggest room for academic growth, the school is committed to continuous improvement and supporting each student’s development. The setting around Whitaker Elementary is a large suburban area with numerous parks, restaurants, and local businesses nearby. This location offers students easy access to community resources and recreational opportunities outside of school hours.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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James A. Whitaker Elementary — Students at James A. Whitaker Elementary score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 2.6/10.
How James A. Whitaker Elementary Compares
See how James A. Whitaker Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 27.38% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 23.48% (2024).
Location
8401 Montana St., Buena Park, CA 90621
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James A. Whitaker Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Charles G. Emery Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mabel L. Pendleton Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dr. Peter Marshall (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Anaheim), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buena Park, see our Buena Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Buena Park High Buena Park | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Mabel L. Pendleton Elementary Buena Park | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| St. Pius V Catholic School Buena Park | 0.7 mi | — |
| ST PIUS V CATHOLIC SCHOOL Buena Park | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Glen H. Dysinger Sr. Elementary Buena Park | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Valencia Park Elementary Fullerton | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| ACACIAWOOD PREPARATORY ACADEMY Anaheim | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Carl E. Gilbert Elementary Buena Park | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Gordon H. Beatty Middle Buena Park | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Charles G. Emery Elementary Buena Park | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Dr. Peter Marshall Anaheim | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| ROSSIER PARK SCHOOL Buena Park | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| LIMAI MONTESSORI ACADEMY - BUENA PARK Buena Park | 1.7 mi | — |
| Rossier Park School Buena Park | 1.5 mi | — |
| Kids Adventure Learning Center Fullerton | 1.5 mi | — |
| Honors Academy Fullerton | 1.5 mi | — |
| Gauer (Melbourne A.) Elementary Anaheim | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Buena Park Middle Buena Park | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Orangethorpe Elementary Fullerton | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fullerton | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90621 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,679
Median Home Value
$734,400
Median Rent
$2,061/mo
Population
35,735
College Educated
31.5%
Homeownership
37%
Avg Commute
28.4 min
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding James A. Whitaker Elementary has a median household income of $94,679. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $734,400, with a median rent of $2,061/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Barry Elementary Yuba City, CA | 4.6 |
| Beaumont Elementary Vista, CA | 4.6 |
| Blossom Valley Elementary El Cajon, CA | 4.6 |
| Bonita Elementary Santa Maria, CA | 4.6 |
| Boone Elementary San Diego, CA | 4.6 |
| CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-EAST CAMPUS El Cajon, CA | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James A. Whitaker Elementary
What grades does James A. Whitaker Elementary serve?
James A. Whitaker Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend James A. Whitaker Elementary?
James A. Whitaker Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 579 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James A. Whitaker Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James A. Whitaker Elementary is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James A. Whitaker Elementary rank in CA?
James A. Whitaker Elementary is ranked #8171 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is James A. Whitaker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James A. Whitaker Elementary has a composite rating of 4.6 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 James A. Whitaker Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James A. Whitaker Elementary has 30.8% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James A. Whitaker Elementary a charter school?
No, James A. Whitaker Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James A. Whitaker Elementary a Title I school?
No, James A. Whitaker Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James A. Whitaker Elementary?
88.6% of students at James A. Whitaker 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
- City Safety
- High (2,632/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buena Park). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 579
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (714) 521-9770
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Buena Park Elementary- District Enrollment
- 3,784
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,084
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
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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