Skip to main content

Average

#5809 of 9,539 schools in CA

Ralph Emerson Elementary

Elementary School · Burbank Unified

720 East Cypress Ave., Burbank, CA 91501

Enrollment

540

Student-Teacher

27:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,809 of 9,539

In Burbank

#23 of 29

public schools

In district

#13 of 18

Burbank Unified

Equity

7.4 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Ralph Emerson Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Ralph Emerson Elementary

5.8/10

Elementary School in Burbank · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Robert Bellarmine Elementary School

7.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St. Robert Bellarmine Elementary

Nearby

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ralph Emerson Elementary

Ralph Emerson Elementary is a public elementary school in Burbank, CA, part of Burbank Unified. Ralph Emerson Elementary serves approximately 540 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 27:1 student-teacher ratio. Ralph Emerson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #5,809 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Ralph Emerson Elementary show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Ralph Emerson Elementary runs 27:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+2.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.6 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,628
Chronic Absenteeism19.6%

Ralph Emerson Elementary — Students at Ralph Emerson Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 57.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 61.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
54%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
58%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
65%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
65%
2020*
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
56.6%
ELA
57.4%
2024
Math
48.4%
ELA
55.3%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Ralph Emerson Elementary Compares

See how Ralph Emerson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
39th percentile in CA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

720 East Cypress Ave., Burbank, CA 91501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ralph Emerson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ROBERT BELLARMINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Walt Disney Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Thomas Jefferson Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Burbank, see our Burbank schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
ST ROBERT BELLARMINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Burbank 0.4 mi 7.8
St. Robert Bellarmine Elementary Burbank 0.4 mi
John Muir Middle Burbank 0.4 mi 6.7
Burbank High Burbank 0.4 mi 5.8
Burbank USD Community Day Burbank 0.8 mi
Joaquin Miller Elementary Burbank 0.8 mi 5.5
Learning Trajectory Burbank 0.9 mi
Little Angels Academy Burbank Inc. Burbank 1.0 mi
Thomas Jefferson Elementary Burbank 1.0 mi 6.6
Scholars Preparatory School Burbank 1.1 mi
SCHOLARS PREPARATORY SCHOOL Burbank 1.1 mi 6.3
MONTESSORI ACADEMY Burbank 1.3 mi
Walt Disney Elementary Burbank 1.4 mi 7.6
Balboa Elementary Glendale 1.4 mi 5.3
BURBANK EDU-CARE PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Burbank 1.4 mi
William McKinley Elementary Burbank 1.7 mi 5.0
Magnolia Park Burbank 1.5 mi
Monterey High (Continuation) Burbank 1.5 mi 5.6
Dolores Huerta Middle Burbank 1.8 mi 5.5
Thomas Jefferson Elementary Glendale 1.8 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,419

Median Home Value

$1,011,600

Median Rent

$2,070/mo

Population

19,343

College Educated

43.9%

Homeownership

39.9%

Avg Commute

27.3 min

Poverty Rate

13.2%

Median Age

42.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arroyo Elementary Ontario, CA 5.8
Avalon Elementary Perris, CA 5.8
BAIS CHAYA MUSHKA Los Angeles, CA 5.8
Bay Elementary San Lorenzo, CA 5.8
C. W. Dillard Elementary Wilton, CA 5.8
Calahan Street Elementary Northridge, CA 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ralph Emerson Elementary

What grades does Ralph Emerson Elementary serve?

Ralph Emerson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Ralph Emerson Elementary?

Ralph Emerson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 540 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ralph Emerson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Ralph Emerson Elementary is 27:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ralph Emerson Elementary rank in CA?

Ralph Emerson Elementary ranks #5,809 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Ralph Emerson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ralph Emerson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ralph Emerson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ralph Emerson Elementary has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Ralph Emerson Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Ralph Emerson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Ralph Emerson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ralph Emerson Elementary?

32.6% of students at Ralph Emerson 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

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
540
Student-Teacher Ratio
27:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Los Angeles County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.6%

District

Burbank Unified
District Enrollment
14,240
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,628
District Rank
#13 of 18

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.