Schools in 90242 — Downey, California: 90242 schools average near the state. The 13.6-point spread is where the choice actually lives.
90242 has 7 ranked schools in Downey, averaging a Scope Score of 40.0/100 — within 1.2 points of the state average of 38.8 (a state average weighted to 90242's own mix of school levels; CDE CAASPP 2025). Scores range from 30.8 to 44.4, a 13.6-point spread.
How 90242 schools perform
The top-ranked school is Carpenter (C. C.) Elementary with a Scope Score of 44 and 21.6% of students exceeding standard.
Cohort growth among 90242's elementary schools — the returning cohort, 2023 G3 → 2025 G5 — averages +80 scale-score points across 5 schools in 90242 with a large enough tested cohort. Scale scores rise with grade for nearly every school, so this describes the cohort's trajectory, not a ranking against other zip codes — worth examining school by school.
Chronic absenteeism across 90242 averages 20.8%, above the state average of 17.9%, weighted to 90242's own level mix. CDE CAASPP 2025.
How 90242 compares to nearby zip codes
| Zip | City | Miles | Schools | Avg Score | vs 90242 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90242 | Downey | — | 7 | 40.0/100 | — |
| 90241 | Downey | 1.6 | 5 | 48.9/100 | +9.0 |
| 90723 | Paramount | 2.2 | 14 | 33.7/100 | -6.3 |
| 90706 | Bellflower | 2.6 | 8 | 39.6/100 | -0.3 |
| 90240 | Downey | 2.8 | 4 | 46.6/100 | +6.6 |
| 90262 | Lynwood | 3.1 | 15 | 34.9/100 | -5.1 |
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
School archetypes in 90242
Hidden gems: 4 schools in 90242 are classified as On the Rise (4) — 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 90242
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
Elementary Schools (5)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carpenter (C. C.) Elementary Downey Unified | 21.6% | 68th percentile · SolidScope Score 44/100 |
| 2 | Lewis (Ed C.) Elementary Downey Unified | 31.6% | 68th percentile · SolidScope Score 44/100 |
| 3 | Ward (E. W.) Elementary Downey Unified | 20.2% | 66th percentile · SolidScope Score 43/100 |
| 4 | Alameda Elementary Downey Unified | 22.7% | 62nd percentile · SolidScope Score 41/100 |
| 5 | Gauldin (A.L.) Elementary Downey Unified | 13.2% | 58th percentile · SolidScope Score 39/100 |
Middle Schools (2)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stauffer (Mary R.) Middle Downey Unified | 18.8% | 53rd percentile · SolidScope Score 38/100 |
| 2 | Sussman (Edward A.) Middle Downey Unified | 14.0% | 37th percentile · DevelopingScope Score 31/100 |
High Schools (1)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Los Angeles County Office of Education court and community school | 2.9% | Not ranked |
Schools in 90242 on the map
Open these schools 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.
Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology