Excellent
#782 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 8% in state
La Merced Academy
Elementary School · Montebello Unified
724 North Poplar Ave., Montebello, CA 90640
Enrollment
649
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Enrollment
649
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Montebello
#1 of 12
public schools
California elementary schools
#574 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 28
Montebello Unified
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About La Merced Academy
La Merced Academy is a public elementary school in Montebello, CA, part of the Montebello Unified. The school serves approximately 649 students in grades Kindergarten – 7th with a student-teacher ratio of 19.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 91.8th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 31% proficiency in math, 7 points below the state average and 38% in reading/language arts, 8 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $74,833, where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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La Merced Academy — Students at La Merced Academy score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.
How La Merced Academy Compares
See how La Merced Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 30.63% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 37.37% (2024).
Location
724 North Poplar Ave., Montebello, CA 90640
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering La Merced Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Potrero Heights Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby South San Gabriel), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Washington Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Montebello Gardens Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Pico Rivera), a more accessible option. For more schools in Montebello, see our Montebello schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| La Merced Intermediate Montebello | 0.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Fremont Elementary Montebello | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| ARMENIAN MESROBIAN SCHOOL Pico Rivera | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Armenian Mesrobian School Pico Rivera | 0.8 mi | — |
| Montebello Gardens Elementary Pico Rivera | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| St. Benedict Elementary Montebello | 1.0 mi | — |
| MONTEBELLO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Montebello | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Montebello | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| North Ranchito Elementary Pico Rivera | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Washington Elementary Montebello | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| DON BOSCO TECHNICAL INSTITUTE Rosemead | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Durfee Elementary Pico Rivera | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Don Bosco Technical Institute Rosemead | 1.5 mi | — |
| CUMORAH KIDS Pico Rivera | 1.4 mi | — |
| North Park Academy of the Arts Pico Rivera | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Montebello Intermediate Montebello | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Potrero Heights Elementary South San Gabriel | 1.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Applied Technology Center Montebello | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Schurr High Montebello | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Montebello High Montebello | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90640 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,833
Median Home Value
$660,600
Median Rent
$1,771/mo
Population
61,615
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
46.3%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding La Merced Academy has a median household income of $74,833. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $660,600, with a median rent of $1,771/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Bagby Elementary San Jose, CA | 8.4 |
| Birney Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.4 |
| Buri Buri Elementary South San Francisco, CA | 8.4 |
| C. B. Eaton Elementary Cupertino, CA | 8.4 |
| Charles Helmers Elementary Valencia, CA | 8.4 |
| Colfax Charter Elementary Valley Village, CA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about La Merced Academy
What grades does La Merced Academy serve?
La Merced Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 7th.
How many students attend La Merced Academy?
La Merced Academy has an enrollment of approximately 649 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at La Merced Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at La Merced Academy is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does La Merced Academy rank in CA?
La Merced Academy is ranked #782 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is La Merced Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
La Merced Academy has a composite rating of 8.4 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 La Merced Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Merced Academy has 30.8% math proficiency and 37.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is La Merced Academy a charter school?
No, La Merced Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is La Merced Academy a Title I school?
No, La Merced Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Merced Academy?
62.9% of students at La Merced Academy 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 – 7th
- Enrollment
- 649
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (323) 721-5043
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montebello Unified- District Enrollment
- 19,967
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,912
- District Rank
- #3 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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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