Excellent
#621 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 7% in state
Stephen Foster Elementary
Elementary School · Bellflower Unified
16703 South Clark Ave., Bellflower, CA 90706
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bellflower
#1 of 14
public schools
California elementary schools
#458 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 14
Bellflower Unified
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Stephen Foster Elementary
Stephen Foster Elementary is a public elementary school in Bellflower, CA, part of the Bellflower Unified. The school serves approximately 519 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 21.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 93.5th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 49% proficiency in math, 11 points above the state average and 60% in reading/language arts, 14 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $77,602, where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Stephen Foster Elementary is 21.6:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Stephen Foster Elementary — Students at Stephen Foster Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 8.8/10.
How Stephen Foster Elementary Compares
See how Stephen Foster Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 50.17% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 59.25% (2024).
Location
16703 South Clark Ave., Bellflower, CA 90706
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Stephen Foster Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Holmes Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Lakewood), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST CYPRIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Long Beach), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BETHANY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Long Beach), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bellflower, see our Bellflower schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Intensive Learning Center Bellflower | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Bellflower Alternative Education Center Bellflower | 0.5 mi | — |
| Craig Williams Elementary Bellflower | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Gompers Lakewood | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Lakewood | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| ST CYPRIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Long Beach | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| St. Cyprian Elementary Long Beach | 1.0 mi | — |
| BETHANY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Long Beach | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Bethany Lutheran Long Beach | 1.1 mi | — |
| LAKEWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Long Beach | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary Bellflower | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Buena Vista High Lakewood | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Mayfair High Bellflower | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Odyssey STEM Academy Lakewood | 1.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Twain Elementary Long Beach | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| ST PANCRATIUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakewood | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Bancroft Middle Long Beach | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Captain Raymond Collins Long Beach | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| St. Pancratius Lakewood | 1.1 mi | — |
| Holmes Elementary Lakewood | 1.2 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,602
Median Home Value
$661,100
Median Rent
$1,771/mo
Population
77,396
College Educated
20.1%
Homeownership
38.1%
Avg Commute
29.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
35.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Stephen Foster Elementary has a median household income of $77,602. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $661,100, with a median rent of $1,771/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Aspire Firestone Academy Charter Oakland, CA | 8.5 |
| Birney Tech Academy Pico Rivera, CA | 8.5 |
| Carver Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 |
| Charles W. Barrett Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 |
| Cherry Chase Elementary Sunnyvale, CA | 8.5 |
| Cherrywood Elementary San Jose, CA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Stephen Foster Elementary
What grades does Stephen Foster Elementary serve?
Stephen Foster Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Stephen Foster Elementary?
Stephen Foster Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 519 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Stephen Foster Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Stephen Foster Elementary is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Stephen Foster Elementary rank in CA?
Stephen Foster Elementary is ranked #621 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Stephen Foster Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Stephen Foster Elementary has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Stephen Foster Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Stephen Foster Elementary has 49.1% math proficiency and 59.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Stephen Foster Elementary a charter school?
No, Stephen Foster Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Stephen Foster Elementary a Title I school?
No, Stephen Foster Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Stephen Foster Elementary?
66.3% of students at Stephen Foster 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 519
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (562) 804-6518
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bellflower Unified- District Enrollment
- 9,813
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,901
- District Rank
- #1 of 14
Other Schools in This District
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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