Average
#6516 of 9,533 schools in CA
Merlinda Elementary
Elementary School · West Covina Unified
1120 South Valinda Ave., West Covina, CA 91790
Enrollment
464
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
464
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Covina
#22 of 25
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,879 of 5,817
In district
#13 of 15
West Covina Unified
Academic performance
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Merlinda Elementary
Merlinda Elementary is a public elementary school located in West Covina, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 464 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 24.4:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Merlinda Elementary is rated at 5.5 out of 10 by MySchoolScout.com, ranking the school as #4729 out of 9566 in California.
Students perform at a rate where 46% are proficient or above in English language arts and reading, while 41% meet proficiency standards in math. Set in a large suburban area, Merlinda Elementary focuses on student development with room for academic growth. The school’s setting offers a blend of urban conveniences and a relaxed suburban atmosphere, providing students with a safe and nurturing environment to learn and grow.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Merlinda Elementary is 24.4:1, 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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Merlinda Elementary — Students at Merlinda Elementary score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.4/10.
How Merlinda Elementary Compares
See how Merlinda Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 40.23% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 43.92% (2024).
Location
1120 South Valinda Ave., West Covina, CA 91790
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merlinda Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Merced Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vine Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rowland Avenue Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Covina, see our West Covina schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF WEST COVINA West Covina | 0.1 mi | — |
| Walnut Grove Intermediate West Covina | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Cameron Elementary West Covina | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| St. Christopher Parish School West Covina | 0.8 mi | — |
| ST CHRISTOPHER PARISH SCHOOL West Covina | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Merced Elementary West Covina | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Coronado High (Continuation) West Covina | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| West Covina High West Covina | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| SOUTH HILLS ACADEMY West Covina | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Wescove Elementary West Covina | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Valinda School of Academics Valinda | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Baldwin Academy La Puente | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Vine Elementary West Covina | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| California Elementary West Covina | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Hollencrest Middle West Covina | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Rowland Avenue Elementary West Covina | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Grandview College Preparatory Academy Valinda | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Fairgrove Academy La Puente | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Edgewood Middle West Covina | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Edgewood High West Covina | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91790 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$100,142
Median Home Value
$695,700
Median Rent
$2,253/mo
Population
44,791
College Educated
23.4%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
31.8 min
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Median Age
37.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merlinda Elementary has a median household income of $100,142. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $695,700, with a median rent of $2,253/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Alianza Charter Watsonville, CA | 5.6 |
| Anthony Spangler Elementary Milpitas, CA | 5.6 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Redding, CA | 5.6 |
| Bardin Elementary Salinas, CA | 5.6 |
| Benjamin F. Beswick Elementary Tustin, CA | 5.6 |
| Biggs Elementary Biggs, CA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merlinda Elementary
What grades does Merlinda Elementary serve?
Merlinda Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Merlinda Elementary?
Merlinda Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 464 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merlinda Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Merlinda Elementary is 24.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merlinda Elementary rank in CA?
Merlinda Elementary is ranked #6516 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Merlinda Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Merlinda Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Merlinda Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merlinda Elementary has 41.3% math proficiency and 45.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merlinda Elementary a charter school?
No, Merlinda Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merlinda Elementary a Title I school?
No, Merlinda Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merlinda Elementary?
75.2% of students at Merlinda 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
- City Safety
- High (2,351/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Covina). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 464
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (626) 931-1720
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Covina Unified- District Enrollment
- 7,794
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,655
- District Rank
- #13 of 15
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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