Barton Hill Elementary

Barton Hill Elementary sits in San Pedro, the port neighborhood at the southern tip of Los Angeles that feels more like a small coastal town than a big city — locals here tend to put down roots and stay. The school draws a largely working-class, community-minded crowd, and while its English and overall scores are modest, its math numbers show some real strength worth noting. Families who love the maritime character of San Pedro and want a neighborhood school where their kids can grow up alongside the same community will feel right at home here.