Summary:
This analysis examines four K-6 elementary schools within the Los Angeles Unified district in zip code 90041, an area containing some of the district's higher-performing schools that all exceed its average academic rankings.
Among these schools, Dahlia Heights Elementary stands out as the top performer, ranking in the 93rd percentile statewide with the highest test scores in English and math, while Eagle Rock Elementary is a large and consistently strong school in the 89th percentile. Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet also performs solidly at the 85th percentile. In contrast, Toland Way Elementary, despite showing the most improvement and having the highest per-student funding, ranks significantly lower at the 61st percentile.
The schools show a clear link between economic disadvantage, measured by free/reduced lunch rates, and academic outcomes, with Toland Way having the highest rate of economic need and the lowest scores. Chronic absenteeism is another critical factor, as Toland Way's very high rate correlates with its challenges, while the other schools have excellent attendance. An interesting pattern across the top schools is a notable drop in 5th-grade math scores, suggesting a potential area for curriculum review.
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