Best Public Schools in Zip Code 91731

Zip code 91731 in El Monte, California, is served by seven public schools—five elementary and two high schools—all of which support a student population with high economic need, with free or reduced-price lunch rates ranging from 80% to 100%.

For families, the standout comprehensive high school is El Monte High, which ranks in the top 20% of California high schools, boasts a 91% graduation rate, and has shown consistent improvement. Among elementary schools, Gidley Elementary is the top performer with a stable 4-star rating, while Rio Vista Elementary excels in science proficiency and Legore Elementary has the best attendance record. The alternative El Monte Union High School Community Day serves a very small, high-need population with significant resources but faces severe attendance and proficiency challenges.

Overall, the schools in the El Monte City and El Monte Union High districts demonstrate that strong academic outcomes are achievable despite economic challenges, with several schools exceeding state averages. Key factors for success appear to include strong attendance, as seen at Legore, and effective instructional programs, particularly in science at Rio Vista and English at El Monte High. The wide variation in per-student spending across schools does not show a direct link to performance, suggesting efficient use of resources is critical.