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Very Good

#3200 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 34% in state

John Adams Elementary

Elementary School · Torrance Unified

2121 238Th St., Torrance, CA 90501

Enrollment

333

Student-Teacher

23.8:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Torrance

#16 of 33

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,115 of 5,817

In district

#15 of 30

Torrance Unified

Equity

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About John Adams Elementary

John Adams Elementary serves 333 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Torrance, California. With 14 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.8 to 1, providing a manageable classroom environment for young learners. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 78th percentile among California elementary schools at #2142 out of 9566 statewide.

Students show strong achievement in core subjects, with 62% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, and 56% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics across all grade levels. John Adams Elementary is situated in a well-established neighborhood where families value education, with 38% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding community reflects economic stability, with a median household income of $89,926 and a median home value of $824,600.

The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 11.4%, creating a supportive environment for student learning. Located on 238th Street in this mid-size city within Los Angeles County, John Adams Elementary benefits from Torrance's family-friendly atmosphere while providing students access to the broader educational and cultural opportunities of the greater Los Angeles region.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at John Adams Elementary is 23.8:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.8%
Math vs. State Avg+9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,277

John Adams Elementary — Students at John Adams Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 56.8%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 61.8%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
59%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
56.2%
ELA
61.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How John Adams Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

2121 238Th St., Torrance, CA 90501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Adams Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Howard Wood Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lomita Math/Science/Technology Magnet (rated 8.5/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Lomita), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Torrance Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Torrance, see our Torrance schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Howard Wood Elementary Torrance 0.3 mi 8.6
J. H. Hull Middle Torrance 0.4 mi 5.7
Lomita Math/Science/Technology Magnet Lomita 0.6 mi 8.5
Coastal Academy Lomita 0.6 mi
Nishiyamato Academy Lomita 0.6 mi
NISHIYAMATO ACADEMY OF CALIFORNIA Lomita 0.6 mi 7.5
TORRANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Torrance 0.8 mi
Nathaniel Narbonne Senior High Harbor City 0.7 mi 8.6
Humanities and Arts (HARTS) Academy of Los Angeles Harbor City 0.7 mi 9.0
George S. Patton Continuation Harbor City 0.8 mi 6.5
Shery (Kurt T.) High (Continuation) Torrance 1.0 mi 6.5
Torrance Elementary Torrance 1.1 mi 7.4
President Avenue Elementary Harbor City 0.9 mi 7.4
Alexander Fleming Middle Lomita 1.2 mi 7.3
Gene Drevno Community Day Torrance 1.2 mi
THE PINES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harbor City 1.1 mi 7.0
The Pines Christian School Harbor City 1.1 mi
PACIFIC EXPLORER MONTESSORI Torrance 1.1 mi
ST MARGARET MARY SCHOOL Lomita 1.2 mi 5.9
St Margaret Mary School Lomita 1.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,815

Median Home Value

$887,300

Median Rent

$1,868/mo

Population

41,319

College Educated

38.7%

Homeownership

45.6%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding John Adams Elementary has a median household income of $92,815. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $887,300, with a median rent of $1,868/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 Elementary Simi Valley, CA 7.1
BETHANY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Long Beach, CA 7.1
Brentwood Science Los Angeles, CA 7.1
Cadwallader Elementary San Jose, CA 7.1
Camellia Avenue Elementary North Hollywood, CA 7.1
Camellia Elementary Sacramento, CA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Adams Elementary

What grades does John Adams Elementary serve?

John Adams Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend John Adams Elementary?

John Adams Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 333 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Adams Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at John Adams Elementary is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Adams Elementary rank in CA?

John Adams Elementary is ranked #3200 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is John Adams Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

John Adams Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 John Adams Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Adams Elementary has 56.8% math proficiency and 61.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is John Adams Elementary a charter school?

No, John Adams Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John Adams Elementary a Title I school?

No, John Adams Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Adams Elementary?

43.5% of students at John Adams 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

City Safety
High (3,096/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Torrance Unified
District Enrollment
22,109
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,134
District Rank
#15 of 30

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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