Average
#5521 of 9,533 schools in CA
Whittier Elementary
Elementary School · Hemet Unified
400 West Whittier Ave., Hemet, CA 92543
Enrollment
804
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
804
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hemet
#11 of 22
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,326 of 5,817
In district
#13 of 27
Hemet Unified
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Whittier Elementary
Whittier Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade students in Hemet, a mid-size suburb in Riverside County. The school enrolls 804 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22.3 to 1, supported by 36 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Whittier Elementary is working to strengthen student achievement.
The school ranks in the 18th percentile statewide, with current proficiency rates showing 20% of students meeting or exceeding standards in English language arts and 14% in mathematics across grade levels. These results indicate significant room for academic growth and development. As a regular public school serving the western Hemet area, Whittier Elementary is part of the community fabric of this Riverside County suburb.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Whittier Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary is 22.3:1, 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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Whittier Elementary — Students at Whittier Elementary score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 7.1/10.
How Whittier Elementary Compares
See how Whittier Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 14% (2019) to 14.61% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 19.33% (2024).
Location
400 West Whittier Ave., Hemet, CA 92543
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whittier Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McSweeny Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ramona Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST JOHN S LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hemet, see our Hemet schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Unity Educational Academy Hemet | 0.7 mi | — |
| Spectrum Center Hemet Hemet | 0.8 mi | — |
| Hemet Elementary Hemet | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Jacob Wiens Elementary Hemet | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Acacia Middle Hemet | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Diamond Valley Middle Hemet | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| McSweeny Elementary Hemet | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Alessandro High Hemet | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Academy of Innovation Hemet | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| DP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hemet | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| DP Christian School Hemet | 1.4 mi | — |
| Beardens Hemet | 1.5 mi | — |
| Rancho Veijo Hemet | 1.6 mi | — |
| Alpha Omega Christian San Jacinto | 2.0 mi | — |
| ALPHA OMEGA CHRISTIAN San Jacinto | 2.0 mi | — |
| Ramona Elementary Hemet | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| ST JOHN S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hemet | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Promises School K-12 Hemet | 2.0 mi | — |
| Western Center Academy Hemet | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Fruitvale Elementary Hemet | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92543 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,002
Median Home Value
$250,800
Median Rent
$1,306/mo
Population
39,878
College Educated
12.7%
Homeownership
56%
Avg Commute
37.4 min
Poverty Rate
22.7%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whittier Elementary has a median household income of $47,002. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $250,800, with a median rent of $1,306/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Amelia Earhart Elementary Alameda, CA | 6.0 |
| Bon View Elementary Ontario, CA | 6.0 |
| Burbank Elementary Long Beach, CA | 6.0 |
| Carolyn A. Clark Elementary San Jose, CA | 6.0 |
| Cesar Chavez Language Academy Santa Rosa, CA | 6.0 |
| Claudia Landeen Stockton, CA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whittier Elementary
What grades does Whittier Elementary serve?
Whittier Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Whittier Elementary?
Whittier Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 804 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whittier Elementary rank in CA?
Whittier Elementary is ranked #5521 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Whittier Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Whittier Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Whittier Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whittier Elementary has 14.3% math proficiency and 20.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whittier Elementary a charter school?
No, Whittier Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whittier Elementary a Title I school?
No, Whittier Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whittier Elementary?
92.3% of students at Whittier 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
- City Safety
- High (2,067/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hemet). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 804
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (951) 765-1650
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hemet Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,736
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,819
- District Rank
- #13 of 27
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.
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