Schools in 90621 — Buena Park, California: 90621 schools average near the state. The 42.1-point spread is where the choice actually lives.
90621 has 6 ranked schools in Buena Park, averaging a Scope Score of 40.0/100 — within 1.3 points of the state average of 41.3 (a state average weighted to 90621's own mix of school levels; CDE CAASPP 2025). Scores range from 22.4 to 64.4, a 42.1-point spread. 1 school ranks in the 90th percentile or above statewide.
How 90621 schools perform
The top-ranked school is Charles G. Emery Elementary with a Scope Score of 64 and 41.0% of students exceeding standard.
Cohort growth among 90621's elementary schools — the returning cohort, 2023 G3 → 2025 G5 — averages +76 scale-score points across 4 schools in 90621 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 90621 averages 16.6%, below the state average of 18.8%, weighted to 90621's own level mix. CDE CAASPP 2025.
How 90621 compares to nearby zip codes
| Zip | City | Miles | Schools | Avg Score | vs 90621 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90621 | Buena Park | — | 6 | 40.0/100 | — |
| 92833 | Fullerton | 1.9 | 7 | 50.7/100 | +10.7 |
| 90620 | Buena Park | 2.3 | 7 | 43.6/100 | +3.6 |
| 90638 | La Mirada | 2.6 | 9 | 44.7/100 | +4.6 |
| 92801 | Anaheim | 3.1 | 11 | 35.7/100 | -4.4 |
| 90623 | La Palma | 3.4 | 4 | 61.4/100 | +21.4 |
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
School archetypes in 90621
Hidden gems: 1 school in 90621 is classified as Growth Engine — 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
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
Elementary Schools (4)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles G. Emery Elementary Buena Park Elementary Growth Engine | 41.0% | Strong 64/100 |
| 2 | Mabel L. Pendleton Elementary Buena Park Elementary Building Momentum | 14.0% | Developing 29/100 |
| 3 | James A. Whitaker Elementary Buena Park Elementary Building Momentum | 9.3% | Developing 27/100 |
| 4 | Carl E. Gilbert Elementary Buena Park Elementary Building Momentum | 5.8% | Needs Support 22/100 |
Middle Schools (1)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gordon H. Beatty Middle Buena Park Elementary Building Momentum | 28.5% | Solid 47/100 |
High Schools (1)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buena Park High Fullerton Joint Union High Building Momentum | 7.8% | Developing 51/100 |
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.
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