Below Average
#8338 of 9,533 schools in CA
Whittier Elementary
Elementary School · Long Beach Unified
1761 Walnut Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813
Enrollment
554
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
554
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Long Beach
#63 of 77
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,952 of 5,817
In district
#66 of 82
Long Beach Unified
About Whittier Elementary
Whittier Elementary is a public elementary school located in the heart of Long Beach, California. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 554 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 25.2 to 1, Whittier provides a supportive learning environment led by 22 full-time equivalent teachers.
Whittier Elementary's academic performance currently shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and a state ranking at the 12th percentile among California schools. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 26%, while in Math, 22% of students are considered proficient or above. Despite these challenges, Whittier Elementary remains committed to student development and growth.
The school is situated in a vibrant urban setting within Long Beach, offering children a diverse community experience.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary is 25.2:1, 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 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 11 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.5/10.
How Whittier Elementary Compares
See how Whittier Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 20.56% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 24.91% (2024).
Location
1761 Walnut Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whittier Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Alvarado Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.4 miles away, in nearby Signal Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is Burbank Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Signal Hill Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Signal Hill), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Long Beach, see our Long Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HUNTINGTON ACADEMY Long Beach | 0.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Robinson Academy Long Beach | 0.3 mi | 2.9 |
| Jessie Nelson Academy Signal Hill | 0.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Alvarado Elementary Signal Hill | 0.4 mi | 8.1 |
| New Hope Academy of Change Long Beach | 0.4 mi | — |
| The Muse Academy Long Beach | 0.5 mi | — |
| Lincoln Elementary Long Beach | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Signal Hill Elementary Signal Hill | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Clear Passage Educational Center Long Beach | 0.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Polytechnic High Long Beach | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Olivia Nieto Herrera Elementary Long Beach | 0.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Long Beach | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Bobbie Smith Elementary Long Beach | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Franklin Classical Middle Long Beach | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| ST ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL Long Beach | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Intellectual Virtues Academy Long Beach | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| We the People High Long Beach | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Burbank Elementary Long Beach | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| ST ANTHONY PARISH SCHOOL Long Beach | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Montessori On Elm Long Beach | 1.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90813 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,302
Median Home Value
$543,700
Median Rent
$1,578/mo
Population
51,689
College Educated
15.9%
Homeownership
15%
Avg Commute
28.9 min
Poverty Rate
24.5%
Median Age
33.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whittier Elementary has a median household income of $50,302. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $543,700, with a median rent of $1,578/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 4.5 |
| Alpha: Cornerstone Academy Preparatory San Jose, CA | 4.5 |
| Arboga Elementary Olivehurst, CA | 4.5 |
| Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria, CA | 4.5 |
| Cambridge Elementary Concord, CA | 4.5 |
| Camino Elementary Camino, CA | 4.5 |
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 554 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary is 25.2:1. 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 #8338 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Whittier Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Whittier Elementary has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Whittier Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whittier Elementary has 21.7% math proficiency and 25.9% 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?
83.9% 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 (4,186/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Long Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 554
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (562) 599-6263
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Long Beach Unified- District Enrollment
- 63,966
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,539
- District Rank
- #66 of 82
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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