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#2452 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 26% in state

Kester Avenue Elementary

Elementary School · Los Angeles Unified

5353 Kester Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91411

Enrollment

882

Student-Teacher

25.2:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Van Nuys

#10 of 21

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,676 of 5,817

In district

#424 of 769

Los Angeles Unified

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Kester Avenue Elementary

Kester Avenue Elementary stands out as a high-performing public school serving 882 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Van Nuys. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking in the 89th percentile statewide, the school demonstrates strong academic achievement across its student body. The school's academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with 74% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 72% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

These results reflect the dedication of 35 full-time equivalent teachers working with a student-teacher ratio of 25.2 to 1. Kester Avenue Elementary serves a diverse community in the 91411 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $73,669 and 38% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's median home value of $876,700 reflects the area's desirability, though the school also supports families facing economic challenges, with 17.4% of the local population living below the poverty line.

Located on Kester Avenue in the heart of Van Nuys, this elementary school provides a strong educational foundation for students in one of Los Angeles County's established residential communities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Kester Avenue Elementary is 25.2:1, 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 Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency73.9%
Math vs. State Avg+25.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+31.1 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+23.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,030

Kester Avenue Elementary — Students at Kester Avenue Elementary score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.8%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 75.5%
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
72%
ELA
82%
2024
Math
71.7%
ELA
73.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.5/10.

How Kester Avenue Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in CA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

5353 Kester Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91411

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kester Avenue Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sylvan Park Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sherman Oaks Elementary Charter (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Sherman Oaks), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Chandler Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Sherman Oaks), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Van Nuys, see our Van Nuys schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
ABC LITTLE SCHOOL-SHERMAN OAKS Sherman Oaks 0.3 mi
ABC Little School Sherman Oaks 0.3 mi
High Tech LA Middle Van Nuys 0.4 mi 4.4
Van Nuys Middle Van Nuys 0.4 mi 8.5
EMEK HEBREW ACADEMY TEICHMAN FAMILY TORAH CENTER Sherman Oaks 0.6 mi 5.4
Emek Hebrew Academy Sherman Oaks 0.6 mi
J J Academy Sherman Oaks 0.7 mi
Ivy Bound Acad of Math Sci and Tech Charter Mid Sherman Oaks 0.7 mi 3.8
Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter Encino 0.9 mi 7.5
Sylvan Park Elementary Van Nuys 1.1 mi 8.3
Children's Community School Van Nuys 1.2 mi
CHILDRENS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Van Nuys 1.2 mi 7.6
Sherman Oaks Elementary Charter Sherman Oaks 1.2 mi 8.1
Chandler Elementary Sherman Oaks 1.2 mi 8.1
ST CYRIL OF JERUSALEM SCHOOL Encino 1.3 mi 7.2
St. Cyril of Jerusalem Elementary Encino 1.3 mi
Will Rogers Continuation Van Nuys 1.4 mi 6.4
VALLEY BETH SHALOM DAY SCHOOL Encino 1.3 mi 6.1
Valley Beth Shalom Day School Encino 1.3 mi
NURTURY THE Sherman Oaks 1.4 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91411 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,582

Median Home Value

$973,300

Median Rent

$1,850/mo

Population

23,520

College Educated

36.9%

Homeownership

27.3%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

36.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kester Avenue Elementary has a median household income of $77,582. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $973,300, with a median rent of $1,850/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Anna Kirchgater Elementary Sacramento, CA 7.4
Barrel Springs Elementary Palmdale, CA 7.4
Belvedere Elementary Los Angeles, CA 7.4
Brookside Elementary Beaumont, CA 7.4
Carson Street Elementary Carson, CA 7.4
Clinton William Jefferson Compton, CA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kester Avenue Elementary

What grades does Kester Avenue Elementary serve?

Kester Avenue Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Kester Avenue Elementary?

Kester Avenue Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 882 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kester Avenue Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Kester Avenue Elementary is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kester Avenue Elementary rank in CA?

Kester Avenue Elementary is ranked #2452 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Kester Avenue Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Kester Avenue Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Kester Avenue Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kester Avenue Elementary has 71.8% math proficiency and 75.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kester Avenue Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Kester Avenue Elementary a Title I school?

No, Kester Avenue Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kester Avenue Elementary?

45.4% of students at Kester Avenue 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
66 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
County Safety
Low (245/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
882
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Los Angeles Unified
District Enrollment
419,929
Schools in District
785
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,687
District Rank
#424 of 769

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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