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Schools in 90621 — Buena Park, California

90621 has 6 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 44.2 — 0.4 points near the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 27.8 to 66.2, a 38.4-point spread.

Avg Scope Score
44.2
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
38.4
27.8 – 66.2
Avg Exceeded %
17.7%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
16.6%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
6
With Scope Scores

How 90621 schools perform

The top-ranked school is Charles G. Emery Elementary with a Scope Score of 66 and 41.0% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism across 90621 averages 16.6%, near the state average of 18.1%.

How 90621 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 90621
90621Buena Park644.2
90620Buena Park748.9+4.8
90623La Palma466.4+22.2
90630Cypress771.2+27.1
90631La Habra1346.5+2.3

School archetypes in 90621

1 Growth Engine1 On the Rise4 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 2 schools in 90621 are classified as Growth Engine or On the Rise — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

All schools in 90621

#SchoolScoreCountyExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1Charles G. Emery Elementary
Buena Park Elementary Growth Engine
66Orange41.0%63.6%5.7%0.2%
2Buena Park High
Fullerton Joint Union High Building Momentum
53Orange7.8%30.3%17.8%6.3%
3Gordon H. Beatty Middle
Buena Park Elementary Building Momentum
51Orange28.5%49.7%12.2%3.5%
4Mabel L. Pendleton Elementary
Buena Park Elementary Building Momentum
35Orange14.0%33.1%20.3%0.9%
5James A. Whitaker Elementary
Buena Park Elementary On the Rise
32Orange9.3%25.7%20.0%0.7%
6Carl E. Gilbert Elementary
Buena Park Elementary Building Momentum
28Orange5.8%21.0%23.7%0.9%

Schools in 90621 on the map

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about 90621

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Buena Park good?
Buena Park's 6 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 44.2/100, which is 0.4 points near the California state average of 43.8. 17.7% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Buena Park?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Buena Park is Charles G. Emery Elementary with a Scope Score of 66/100 and 41.0% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Buena Park schools compare to the state average?
Buena Park elementary schools average a Scope Score of 44.2 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (0.4 points near). The exceeded rate averages 17.7% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.6% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 27.8 to 66.2, a 38.4-point spread.
How many schools are in Buena Park?
Buena Park has 6 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.