The top reported proficiency rate is 22% in English language arts. The lowest is 12% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Yes Academy
YES Academy is a public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in South Los Angeles. The school sits within the Los Angeles Unified School District, a sprawling urban system covering the city and surrounding areas.
The student body is economically disadvantaged and predominantly students of color. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment is roughly split between Hispanic and Black students, with small numbers of Asian, multiracial, and other students. The school is small, serving about four hundred students across the six grade levels, with roughly even distribution among grades.
Academic performance across YES Academy is low. On California's state assessments in spring 2025, proficiency rates in English language arts ranged from low in grade three to the low twenties in grades four and five, placing the school in the bottom quartile among schools countywide. Mathematics proficiency was weaker still: grade three reached the low twenties, grade four dropped to about one-fifth of students, and grade five fell to the single digits. Science proficiency in grade five stood at a low level. The school's overall proficiency index, averaging across tested subjects and grades, sits well below the median for Los Angeles County schools. These results reflect deep challenges in foundational literacy and numeracy that a family should take seriously when considering the school, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what instructional changes or support initiatives are underway.
State testing data was not available for kindergarten, first, and second grade, as those grades are not tested under California's accountability system.
The neighborhood surrounding YES Academy, in the 90043 zip code of South Los Angeles, has particular economic characteristics. The median home value in the area reflects a working-to-lower-middle-class housing market, with property values having declined modestly over the past year. Median rents are moderate, and housing remains relatively affordable compared to many other Los Angeles neighborhoods, though rent has risen. The broader Los Angeles economy is anchored by major employers including the county government, LAUSD itself, UCLA, and the city, alongside aerospace, healthcare, entertainment, and fashion sectors. The region is in an active growth phase, with a statewide housing shortage driving new zoning and development incentives, including the city's 2025 Citywide Housing Incentive Program aimed at increasing residential supply.
Los Angeles itself is a sprawling, polycentric city shaped around the car, though some neighborhoods, particularly downtown and areas near Metro rail, support stronger pedestrian street life. The city operates an extensive public transit network through Metro and other agencies, and major civic anchors include Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Public Library system, and the downtown Civic Center. The region hosts a diverse population and economy, with significant cultural institutions and a mix of commercial, residential, and industrial zones.
YES Academy is a regular public school without charter or magnet designation. It is operated by LAUSD, which in 2024 approved Measure US, a major school facilities bond that will increase property taxes for families over many years to fund repairs and upgrades to aging school buildings. The district also implemented a district-wide cellphone ban beginning in February 2025, affecting how students and families communicate during the school day. The district's Black Student Achievement Plan, which funds culturally responsive curriculum and additional counseling and support at targeted schools, was restructured in 2024 and received additional funding for 2025-26.
The school serves a community with substantial economic hardship and faces significant academic performance gaps. A family considering YES Academy should view it as a school requiring close engagement with school leadership around instructional strategy and student progress monitoring, particularly in early literacy and mathematics.
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