Best Elementary Schools in Los Angeles County, California
Introduction
Los Angeles County is home to hundreds of elementary schools, but a handful consistently rise to the top — schools where students are mastering grade-level skills at rates that rival the best in the entire state. Whether you're searching the leafy hillside neighborhoods of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the tree-lined streets of San Marino, or even pockets right inside the Los Angeles Unified district, the county's top-performing elementary schools prove that exceptional public education exists across a wide range of communities and zip codes.
What ties these schools together isn't just strong test scores — it's a culture of high expectations, engaged families, and teachers who consistently deliver results year after year. The ten schools below earned their spots by outperforming nearly every other elementary school in California, and if you're a parent trying to figure out where to plant roots in LA County, they're absolutely worth knowing about.
1. Wonderland Avenue Elementary — Los Angeles Unified, Los Angeles
Tucked into the winding streets of Laurel Canyon, Wonderland Avenue Elementary is about as close to a hidden gem as a 100th-percentile school can be. It scores at the 100th percentile in both English and Science and the 99th in Math, landing an overall ranking in the 100th percentile — meaning it outperforms virtually every elementary school in California. It draws a creative, community-minded crowd of families who love that it combines outstanding academic outcomes with the bohemian, tight-knit energy of its hillside neighborhood.
2. Third Street Elementary — Los Angeles Unified, Los Angeles
Third Street Elementary, located in the Miracle Mile area near the Fairfax District, is one of the most sought-after schools in all of LAUSD — and the numbers back that up completely. With 100th-percentile scores in English and Science and a 99th-percentile score in Math, its overall ranking sits firmly at the 100th percentile. Families in the surrounding neighborhoods often make their home-buying decisions specifically around Third Street's attendance boundaries, and the school has a reputation for strong parental involvement and a genuinely warm school culture.
3. Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary — Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified, Rancho Palos Verdes
Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary sits within the highly regarded Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified district, and it represents the very best that district has to offer at the elementary level. Scoring at the 100th percentile in English, the 99th in both Math and Science, and the 100th percentile overall, it consistently competes with the top schools in the state. Families who choose the Palos Verdes Peninsula for its ocean views and suburban calm will find that Cornerstone delivers academically at a level that matches the area's high standards.
4. Soleado Elementary — Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified, Rancho Palos Verdes
Just down the hill from Cornerstone, Soleado Elementary is another standout within Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified — and a powerful reminder that the district's excellence isn't limited to a single campus. Soleado matches Cornerstone nearly score for score, with 100th-percentile performance in English, 99th in Math and Science, and a 100th-percentile overall ranking. For families settling into Rancho Palos Verdes, having two schools of this caliber in the same district is a genuine luxury.
5. Valentine Elementary — San Marino Unified, San Marino
San Marino Unified is one of the most academically respected small districts in all of Southern California, and Valentine Elementary is a big reason why. It earns a 99th-percentile score in both English and Math, a remarkable 100th-percentile score in Science, and lands at the 99th percentile overall. San Marino families tend to place an extremely high value on academics, and Valentine delivers the kind of rigorous, results-driven environment those families are looking for — all within one of the most tight-knit school communities in the San Gabriel Valley.
6. Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary — Manhattan Beach Unified, Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach has long had a reputation as one of the best beach communities in LA County for families, and Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary is a big part of why that reputation holds up academically. Scoring at the 99th percentile in English, Math, and Science — and the 99th percentile overall — Pennekamp is consistently among the strongest elementary schools in the South Bay. The school sits within Manhattan Beach Unified, a district that punches well above its size and draws families who want a coastal lifestyle without compromising on school quality.
7. Carver Elementary — San Marino Unified, San Marino
San Marino Unified claims two spots in this top ten, and Carver Elementary earns its place with a 100th-percentile score in English, 99th in Math, 99th in Science, and a 99th-percentile overall ranking. Like its crosstown counterpart Valentine, Carver reflects the district's culture of academic excellence and high family engagement. If you're weighing neighborhoods within San Marino, both schools are genuinely exceptional — though boundary lines, sibling preferences, and community feel often end up being the deciding factors for families choosing between them.
8. Palm Crest Elementary — La Cañada Unified, La Cañada
La Cañada Flintridge is a small, affluent foothill community that tends to fly a bit under the radar compared to Pasadena or San Marino, but its school district is absolutely first-rate. Palm Crest Elementary scores at the 100th percentile in English, 99th in Math, 98th in Science, and lands at the 99th percentile overall. Families who love the idea of a quieter foothill community with easy freeway access to both Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley will find in Palm Crest a school that can compete with just about anything in the county.
9. Overland Avenue Elementary — Los Angeles Unified, Los Angeles
Overland Avenue Elementary, located in the Palms-Mar Vista area on the Westside of Los Angeles, is one of the most impressive performers within the sprawling Los Angeles Unified district. It earns a 100th-percentile score in English, a 99th in Math, a 98th in Science, and a 99th-percentile overall ranking — remarkable outcomes for a school operating within a large urban district. For families on the Westside who want a top-tier public school without leaving the city, Overland Avenue is a name worth knowing well.
10. Marengo Elementary — South Pasadena Unified, South Pasadena
South Pasadena Unified is a small district with a fierce academic reputation, and Marengo Elementary captures that spirit in every subject. With 99th-percentile scores in English, Math, and Science — and a 99th-percentile overall ranking — Marengo is a school that genuinely competes at the highest level in the county. South Pasadena itself is a walkable, historic community with a small-town feel tucked inside the greater LA metro, and families who discover Marengo often describe it as exactly the kind of neighborhood school they didn't think existed in Los Angeles anymore.
How We Rank Schools
Every school on The School Advocate is ranked using student performance data across three core subjects. English accounts for 40% of a school's overall score, Math accounts for 40%, and Science makes up the remaining 20%. Each subject score is based on the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards on California's standardized assessments, then converted into a statewide percentile ranking so you can see exactly how a school compares to every other public school in California. We keep the methodology simple and transparent because parents deserve rankings they can actually understand and trust.
Compare Schools Yourself
Rankings are a great starting point, but every family has different priorities. Head over to theschooladvocate.com/compare to pull up side-by-side comparisons of any schools you're considering — whether you're deciding between two neighborhoods, evaluating a district boundary change, or just doing your homework before a big move. The data is free, and the more informed you are, the better decisions you can make for your kids.
Top Elementary Schools
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wonderland Avenue Elementary | Los Angeles Unified | Los Angeles | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| 2 | Third Street Elementary | Los Angeles Unified | Los Angeles | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| 3 | Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary | Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified | Rancho Palos Verdes | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| 4 | Soleado Elementary | Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified | Rancho Palos Verdes | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| 5 | Valentine Elementary | San Marino Unified | San Marino | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| 6 | Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary | Manhattan Beach Unified | Manhattan Beach | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| 7 | Carver Elementary | San Marino Unified | San Marino | 100 | 99 | 99 |
| 8 | Palm Crest Elementary | La Canada Unified | La Canada | 100 | 99 | 99 |
| 9 | Overland Avenue Elementary | Los Angeles Unified | Los Angeles | 100 | 99 | 99 |
| 10 | Marengo Elementary | South Pasadena Unified | South Pasadena | 99 | 99 | 99 |