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Below Average

#7873 of 9,533 schools in CA

Ralph Emerson Elementary

Elementary School · Burbank Unified

720 East Cypress Ave., Burbank, CA 91501

Enrollment

540

Student-Teacher

27:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Burbank

#25 of 29

public schools

California elementary schools

#4,665 of 5,817

In district

#14 of 18

Burbank Unified

Equity

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Ralph Emerson Elementary

Ralph Emerson Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Burbank, California, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 540 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 27:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in the heart of a mid-size city, Ralph Emerson Elementary offers a range of programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its students.

Academically, Ralph Emerson Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and is ranked at #4128 among 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 57th percentile. The school’s academic score stands at 7.7 out of 10, with 58% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 49% proficient or above in Math. While there is room for improvement, Ralph Emerson Elementary remains committed to fostering student development and success.

Ralph Emerson Elementary sits in the vibrant city of Burbank, where it benefits from a community that values education and supports its young learners as they grow and thrive.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Ralph Emerson Elementary is 27:1, 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 Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.4%
Math vs. State Avg+2.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.6 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,714

Ralph Emerson Elementary — Students at Ralph Emerson Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

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 49.4%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 58.4%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
58%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
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: 4.2/10.

How Ralph Emerson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in CA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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 6.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Thomas Jefferson Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably 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 4.9
Burbank High Burbank 0.4 mi 5.4
Burbank USD Community Day Burbank 0.8 mi
Joaquin Miller Elementary Burbank 0.8 mi 4.7
Learning Trajectory Burbank 0.9 mi
Little Angels Academy Burbank Inc. Burbank 1.0 mi
Thomas Jefferson Elementary Burbank 1.0 mi 6.4
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 6.9
Balboa Elementary Glendale 1.4 mi 6.2
BURBANK EDU-CARE PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Burbank 1.4 mi
William McKinley Elementary Burbank 1.7 mi 4.4
Magnolia Park Burbank 1.5 mi
Monterey High (Continuation) Burbank 1.5 mi 6.9
Dolores Huerta Middle Burbank 1.8 mi 4.7
Thomas Jefferson Elementary Glendale 1.8 mi 5.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ralph Emerson Elementary has a median household income of $85,419. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,011,600, with a median rent of $2,070/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Almond Elementary Fontana, CA 4.8
Avalon Elementary Perris, CA 4.8
Baldwin Academy La Puente, CA 4.8
Banyan Elementary Alta Loma, CA 4.8
Beamer Elementary Woodland, CA 4.8
Bryant Elementary Riverside, CA 4.8

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 is ranked #7873 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Ralph Emerson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ralph Emerson Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Ralph Emerson Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ralph Emerson Elementary has 49.4% math proficiency and 58.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,486/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Burbank). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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