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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

Charter

Enrollment

370

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

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 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.2%
Math vs. State Avg+10.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,981

Ocs - South — Students at Ocs - South score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
37.7%
ELA Proficiency 61.4%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2024
Math
55.4%
ELA
60.1%

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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
71th percentile in CA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (245/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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