Howard J. McKibben Elementary

South Whittier sits on the quieter, more residential southern edge of Whittier, where the neighborhoods feel a bit more laid-back than the busier parts of LA County just to the north. McKibben Elementary serves families in this working-class community, and while its academic scores sit in the mid-30s percentile range statewide, it's the kind of neighborhood school where families who are closely involved tend to find a supportive, tight-knit environment. Families drawn to a smaller, community-rooted school experience — rather than a highly competitive academic setting — may find it a comfortable fit for the elementary years.