Summary:
This analysis covers five public elementary and middle schools within the Los Angeles Unified district in zip code 90029, a high-need area where nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet is the clear standout, performing above district and state averages in all subjects despite having the lowest per-student spending. In contrast, the four elementary schools—Kingsley Elementary, Lockwood Avenue Elementary, Ramona Elementary, and Lexington Avenue Primary Center—generally perform below these averages, creating a significant performance gap between school levels.
Chronic absenteeism is a major concern, especially in early grades, with rates ranging from 14.8% to a high of 37.2% at Lexington Avenue Primary Center, which also has the highest per-student funding. The wide variance in spending and the middle school's strong results with fewer resources suggest that specialized programs and other factors beyond funding play a key role in student success in this community.
Thank you for your feedback!