Best Public Schools in Zip Code 90603

Zip code 90603 in Whittier, California, is served by three high-performing elementary schools—Leffingwell Elementary, Jordan Elementary, and Murphy Ranch Elementary—all serving grades K-5 or K-6, with two ranking in the top 12% of all California public schools.

Murphy Ranch Elementary is the top-ranked school in the area, achieving the highest test scores in English and science and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate. Leffingwell Elementary is also a standout, performing nearly as well academically while serving a student population with a higher rate of economic need. Both of these schools belong to the East Whittier City Elementary district and benefit from higher per-student spending. Jordan Elementary, part of the Lowell Joint district, is still above the state average but ranks lower than its neighbors, with lower test scores, higher chronic absenteeism, and lower per-student funding.

Key takeaways for parents include the strong overall quality of schools here, with particularly high achievement in the East Whittier City Elementary district. Attendance is a major differentiator, as the schools with the lowest absenteeism rates post the highest scores. While math scores tend to dip in upper grades across the schools, Murphy Ranch shows a special strength in science education.