Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 91304

This analysis examines five elementary schools (K-5) in zip code 91304, primarily in West Hills, California, with four schools in the Los Angeles Unified district and Ingenium Charter in a separate charter district.

Parents will find a mix of high-performing and improving schools in the area. Pomelo Community Charter and Justice Street Academy Charter are standout top performers, both ranking in the 85th percentile statewide with strong test scores and, in Pomelo's case, very low chronic absenteeism. Capistrano Avenue Elementary shows remarkable strength in science, achieving the highest science proficiency in the group. In contrast, Nevada Avenue Elementary and Ingenium Charter have lower overall test scores, though both have shown significant improvement in their state rankings over recent years.

Key takeaways include notable variability among the charter schools and a puzzling pattern where some schools with higher per-student spending, like Nevada Avenue, have lower academic performance, while others with lower spending achieve better results. All schools in the sample outperform their respective district averages. Parents should note specific grade-level patterns, such as a dip in 5th-grade scores at some schools, and the wide variation in science performance across the area, which suggests differences in how the subject is taught.