Skip to main content

Very Good

#3078 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 32% in state

Paradise Canyon Elementary

Elementary School · La Canada Unified

471 Knight Way, La Canada, CA 91011

Enrollment

661

Student-Teacher

23.6:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In La Canada

#3 of 4

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,049 of 5,817

In district

#3 of 4

La Canada Unified

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Paradise Canyon Elementary

Paradise Canyon Elementary serves 661 students from kindergarten through sixth grade in La Canada, California, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranking 378th among California's 9,566 elementary schools, the school places in the 96th percentile statewide. Academic achievement is particularly strong, with 83% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 84% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These impressive results reflect the school's commitment to educational excellence across all grade levels. The school operates with 28 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 23.6 to 1. Paradise Canyon Elementary draws families from an affluent community where 74% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $210,532.

This highly educated population, combined with a low poverty rate of just 3.3%, creates a supportive environment for learning. The neighborhood's median home value of $1,982,600 reflects the area's desirability and stability. Located on Knight Way in this large suburban setting of Los Angeles County, Paradise Canyon Elementary benefits from being part of a well-established community that prioritizes education and provides students with both academic rigor and the advantages of suburban family life.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Paradise Canyon Elementary is 23.6:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.8%
Math vs. State Avg+38.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+40 pts
Overall Proficiency83%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected+10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,469

Paradise Canyon Elementary — Students at Paradise Canyon Elementary score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

4.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 84.2%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 83.3%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 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
86%
ELA
87%
2024
Math
83.8%
ELA
82.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.

How Paradise Canyon Elementary Compares

See how Paradise Canyon Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
68th percentile in CA
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
4%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

471 Knight Way, La Canada, CA 91011

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paradise Canyon Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Palm Crest Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CRESTVIEW PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby La Canada Flintridge), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Altadena), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in La Canada, see our La Canada schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Foothill Progressive Montessori Schools La Canada 0.5 mi
FOOTHILL PROGRESSIVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL La Canada Flintridge 0.5 mi 5.8
Flintridge Preparatory School La Canada Flintridge 0.7 mi
ST BEDE THE VENERABLE ELEMENTARY La Canada Flintridge 0.8 mi 7.0
St. Bede the Venerable Elementary La Canada 0.8 mi
ST FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL La Canada Flintridge 1.0 mi 5.6
Learning Castle, Inc. (aka La Canada Preparatory) La Cañada 0.9 mi
Hogg's Hollow Kindergarten La Canada 0.9 mi
HOGGS HOLLOW La Canada Flintridge 0.9 mi
CRESTVIEW PREPARATORY SCHOOL La Canada Flintridge 1.1 mi 8.2
La Canada High La Canada 1.2 mi 8.0
La Canada Elementary La Canada 1.0 mi 5.9
THE HILLSIDE SCHOOL & LEARNING CENTER La Canada Flintridge 1.5 mi 6.2
FLINTRIDGE MONTESSORI PRE SCHOOL & ELEC. INC La Canada Flintridge 1.5 mi
Odyssey Charter Altadena 1.6 mi 7.5
FLINTRIDGE SACRED HEART ACADEMY La Canada Flintridge 2.0 mi 8.0
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy La Canada 2.0 mi
Aveson Global Leadership Academy Altadena 1.8 mi 5.7
Palm Crest Elementary La Canada 2.0 mi 8.4
Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary Altadena 2.2 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91011 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$221,451

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$2,842/mo

Population

20,094

College Educated

75.5%

Homeownership

88.5%

Avg Commute

28.2 min

Poverty Rate

3.6%

Median Age

45.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paradise Canyon Elementary has a median household income of $221,451. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $2,842/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% 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
Adams Elementary Riverside, CA 7.1
Alpine Vista Tulare, CA 7.1
Ansel Adams Stockton, CA 7.1
Baldwin (Julia) Elementary San Jose, CA 7.1
Bassett Street Elementary Lake Balboa, CA 7.1
Bay Farm Alameda, CA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paradise Canyon Elementary

What grades does Paradise Canyon Elementary serve?

Paradise Canyon Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Paradise Canyon Elementary?

Paradise Canyon Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 661 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paradise Canyon Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Paradise Canyon Elementary is 23.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paradise Canyon Elementary rank in CA?

Paradise Canyon Elementary is ranked #3078 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Paradise Canyon Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Paradise Canyon Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Paradise Canyon Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paradise Canyon Elementary has 84.2% math proficiency and 83.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paradise Canyon Elementary a charter school?

No, Paradise Canyon Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paradise Canyon Elementary a Title I school?

No, Paradise Canyon Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paradise Canyon Elementary?

4.1% of students at Paradise Canyon 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (245/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
661
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
4.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

La Canada Unified
District Enrollment
3,937
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,784
District Rank
#3 of 4

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.