Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 90640

This analysis examines five elementary schools serving grades K-5 (and one K-8) in zip code 90640, which is part of Montebello Unified in Montebello, CA, with a total enrollment of 2,941 students who predominantly come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Among these schools, Washington Elementary stands out as the top performer, with the strongest math scores and highest overall ranking, while La Merced Academy shows the most consistent improvement and has the lowest rate of chronic student absenteeism. In contrast, Greenwood Elementary faces significant challenges, ranking the lowest with the weakest test scores and the highest absenteeism rate. The other schools, Wilcox Elementary and Fremont Elementary, have shown recent declines in their statewide rankings.

Overall, these schools perform below state averages academically, and most have chronic absenteeism rates higher than the district average. A key finding is that higher per-student spending does not automatically lead to better performance, as seen when comparing Wilcox and Washington Elementary. The data suggests a strong link between regular attendance and academic success, exemplified by La Merced Academy's low absenteeism and strong improvement. Parents should note that while the district faces systemic challenges, individual schools like Washington and La Merced demonstrate that positive outcomes are being achieved within the community.