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Very Good

#3182 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 33% in state

John Adams Elementary

Elementary School · Torrance Unified

2121 238Th St., Torrance, CA 90501

Enrollment

333

Student-Teacher

23.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,182 of 9,539

In Torrance

#24 of 33

public schools

In district

#21 of 30

Torrance Unified

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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John Adams Elementary

7.2/10

Elementary School in Torrance · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Howard Wood Elementary

8.0/10

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

J. H. Hull Middle

6.7/10

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

About John Adams Elementary

John Adams Elementary is a public elementary school in Torrance, CA, part of Torrance Unified. John Adams Elementary serves approximately 333 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.8:1 student-teacher ratio. John Adams Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #3,182 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for John Adams Elementary show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

John Adams Elementary runs 23.8:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,134
Chronic Absenteeism23.4%

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 63.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 63.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
74%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
56%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
59%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
59%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
59.6%
ELA
63.6%
2024
Math
56.2%
ELA
61.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.

How John Adams Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
67th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Lomita Math/Science/Technology Magnet (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Lomita), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Howard Wood Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, President Avenue Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Harbor City), with a very similar rating. 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 8.0
J. H. Hull Middle Torrance 0.4 mi 6.7
Lomita Math/Science/Technology Magnet Lomita 0.6 mi 8.2
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 7.8
Humanities and Arts (HARTS) Academy of Los Angeles Harbor City 0.7 mi 8.8
George S. Patton Continuation Harbor City 0.8 mi 5.4
Shery (Kurt T.) High (Continuation) Torrance 1.0 mi 6.0
Torrance Elementary Torrance 1.1 mi 5.5
President Avenue Elementary Harbor City 0.9 mi 7.2
Alexander Fleming Middle Lomita 1.2 mi 8.2
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALMADEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL San Jose, CA 7.2
Albert A. Michelson Elementary Avery, CA 7.2
Alta Elementary Reedley, CA 7.2
Bishop's Peak Elementary San Luis Obispo, CA 7.2
Blue Oak Elementary Cameron Park, CA 7.2
City Language Immersion Charter Los Angeles, CA 7.2

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 ranks #3,182 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is John Adams Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

John Adams Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 John Adams Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John Adams Elementary has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
76 Very Walkable
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.4%

District

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

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