Average
#6186 of 9,539 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
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,186 of 9,539
In Buena Park
#11 of 14
public schools
In district
#5 of 7
Buena Park Elementary
School environment
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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James A. Whitaker Elementary
Elementary School in Buena Park · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Buena Park High
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mabel L. Pendleton Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James A. Whitaker Elementary
James A. Whitaker Elementary is a public elementary school in Buena Park, CA, part of Buena Park Elementary. James A.
Whitaker Elementary serves approximately 579 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. James A. Whitaker Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #6,186 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for James A. Whitaker Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.6 · Average
- District avg 6.1
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
41% of students at James A. Whitaker 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 30 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: 5.1/10.
How James A. Whitaker Elementary Compares
See how James A. Whitaker Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Dr. Peter Marshall (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Anaheim), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charles G. Emery Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mabel L. Pendleton Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away), 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 | 6.1 |
| Mabel L. Pendleton Elementary Buena Park | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| Valencia Park Elementary Fullerton | 0.8 mi | 3.0 |
| ACACIAWOOD PREPARATORY ACADEMY Anaheim | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Carl E. Gilbert Elementary Buena Park | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Gordon H. Beatty Middle Buena Park | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Charles G. Emery Elementary Buena Park | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Dr. Peter Marshall Anaheim | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| 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 | 4.2 |
| Buena Park Middle Buena Park | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alamo Elementary Vacaville, CA | 5.6 |
| Anthony C. Traina Elementary Tracy, CA | 5.6 |
| Arbuckle Elementary Arbuckle, CA | 5.6 |
| Camino Elementary Camino, CA | 5.6 |
| Cesar Chavez Elementary Calexico, CA | 5.6 |
| Cielo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | 5.6 |
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 ranks #6,186 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is James A. Whitaker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James A. Whitaker Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 James A. Whitaker Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James A. Whitaker Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.1%
- Phone
- (714) 521-9770
Resources & Links
District
Buena Park Elementary- District Enrollment
- 3,784
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,084
- District Rank
- #5 of 7
How we rate schools
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