Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.4%
Math vs. State Avg-15.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,001

La Merced Academy — Students at La Merced Academy score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.8%
School
State
37.7%
ELA Proficiency 37.8%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
28%
2024
Math
34.1%
ELA
39.9%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.4/10
92th percentile in CA
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,127/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Montebello Unified
District Enrollment
19,967
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,912
District Rank
#3 of 28

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.