Very Good
#2804 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 29% in state
Ocs - South
Elementary School · OCS - South District
119 West Palm St., Altadena, CA 91001
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Altadena
#6 of 8
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,882 of 5,817
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Ocs - South
OCS - South serves 370 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Altadena, offering a strong academic foundation within the charter school framework. This elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive focused attention. The school demonstrates impressive academic performance, earning an 8.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 88th percentile among California's elementary schools at #1166 out of 9566 schools statewide.
Students show solid proficiency across core subjects, with 60% achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 55% reach proficiency in mathematics. Located on West Palm Street, OCS - South benefits from being situated in an affluent and educated community where the median household income reaches $129,030 and 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area's low poverty rate of 7.1% reflects the economic stability of the neighborhood, which likely contributes to the supportive learning environment.
As a charter school in Altadena's large suburban setting within Los Angeles County, OCS - South provides families with an alternative public education option that combines academic rigor with the flexibility of charter governance in this well-established San Gabriel Valley community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ocs - South is 20.6:1, 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.
Ocs - South is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Ocs - South — Students at Ocs - South score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 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: 7.5/10.
How Ocs - South Compares
See how Ocs - South performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 49.5% (2019) to 56.52% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 62.16% (2024).
Location
119 West Palm St., Altadena, CA 91001
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ocs - South may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pasadena Rosebud Academy (rated 9.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Altadena Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Altadena, see our Altadena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FAIR OAKS SCHOOL Altadena | 0.4 mi | — |
| PASADENA WALDORF SCHOOL Altadena | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Aveson Global Leadership Academy Altadena | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Odyssey Charter Altadena | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Pasadena Rosebud Academy Altadena | 0.9 mi | 9.1 |
| OAK KNOLL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Altadena | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Harriet Tubman Pasadena | 1.2 mi | — |
| HARRIET TUBMAN PRESCHOOL & ELEMENTARY Pasadena | 1.2 mi | — |
| Altadena Elementary Altadena | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary Altadena | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| ST MARKS SCHOOL - ALTADENA Altadena | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Saint Mark's School Altadena | 1.2 mi | — |
| Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian School Altadena | 1.3 mi | — |
| SAHAG-MESROB ARMENIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Altadena | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| John Muir High Pasadena | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Charles W. Eliot Middle Altadena | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Octavia E. Butler Magnet Pasadena | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Washington Elementary STEM Magnet Pasadena | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| ST ELIZABETH SCHOOL Altadena | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| PASADENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pasadena | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$133,840
Median Home Value
$1,085,000
Median Rent
$2,298/mo
Population
36,402
College Educated
52.1%
Homeownership
80.5%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
46.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ocs - South has a median household income of $133,840. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,085,000, with a median rent of $2,298/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ALMADEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 7.2 |
| Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 7.2 |
| Alturas Elementary Alturas, CA | 7.2 |
| Ambler Avenue Elementary Carson, CA | 7.2 |
| Anatola Avenue Elementary Lake Balboa, CA | 7.2 |
| Anderson (Linford L.) Elementary Dixon, CA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ocs - South
What grades does Ocs - South serve?
Ocs - South serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Ocs - South?
Ocs - South has an enrollment of approximately 370 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ocs - South?
The student-teacher ratio at Ocs - South is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ocs - South rank in CA?
Ocs - South is ranked #2804 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ocs - South's MySchoolScout rating?
Ocs - South has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Ocs - South?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ocs - South has 54.5% math proficiency and 61.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ocs - South a charter school?
Yes, Ocs - South is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Ocs - South a Title I school?
No, Ocs - South is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ocs - South?
30.5% of students at Ocs - South 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 370
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (626) 209-5635
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
OCS - South District- District Enrollment
- 370
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,374
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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