Very Good
#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
Enrollment
882
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Kester Avenue Elementary — Students at Kester Avenue Elementary score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.4%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 71.53% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 73.89% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (818) 787-6751
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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