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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.44 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.2%
Math vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.5 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+17.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,999

Stephen Foster Elementary — Students at Stephen Foster Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 49.1%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 59.6%
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
43%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
50.3%
ELA
59.1%

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.

Overall Score
8.5/10
94th percentile in CA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,799/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bellflower Unified
District Enrollment
9,813
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,901
District Rank
#1 of 14

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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