The top reported proficiency rate is 28% in Math. The lowest is 11% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Twenty-eighth Street Elementary
Twenty-Eighth Street Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in a Los Angeles neighborhood at the intersection of a high-poverty community and a city in active housing and infrastructure growth. The school draws nearly all its students from families in or near the federal poverty line, and the student body is predominantly Latino, with smaller populations of Black and multiracial students. This is a small to mid-sized elementary school within a sprawling district.
The academic picture is direct: state testing data from the most recent school year shows proficiency rates well below what most districts report as typical. In math, students across the tested grades (three, four, and five) showed proficiency ranging in the low-to-mid range, with fourth grade at the highest point. In English language arts, proficiency was notably lower across those same grades, with third grade particularly low. In fifth-grade science, proficiency fell below that. These results place the school in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency when compared against other schools across Los Angeles County districts. The school has one year of data available, so it is not yet possible to track whether performance is trending in any direction.
The demographic composition is stable. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic circumstances of families in the attendance area. The vast majority of students are Latino, with small populations of Black and multiracial students and very few students of other backgrounds. The school's small enrollment means class sizes are modest, which can offer some logistical benefits in terms of individual attention, though the data does not show what instructional strategies or supports the school has in place to address the proficiency gaps.
A parent considering this school should be aware of the recent district-wide cellphone ban implemented this year, which restricts student phone and smartwatch use throughout the entire school day, affecting how students and families communicate during school hours. Additionally, voters approved Measure US, a major school facilities bond in November 2024 that will fund repairs and upgrades to LAUSD's aging buildings. Families purchasing homes in the school's attendance area should know that this bond is financed through a property tax increase that could extend for many years.
The neighborhood around the school sits within Los Angeles' broader growth context. The city is in an active rezoning and development phase driven by a housing shortage, with major mixed-use projects and housing initiatives underway, particularly downtown and along transit corridors. The housing market in the school's zip code shows modest value and rental costs relative to the broader county, though affordability pressures remain, and market dynamics are shifting.
The school's size and grade configuration mean it serves as a foundational elementary pathway only; families stay through fifth grade and transition to middle school elsewhere in the district. The high poverty level and low proficiency results suggest that families considering this school should look closely at what instructional supports and interventions the school offers, and what supplemental resources might be needed. A parent may want to look into further detail with the school about how they are addressing the proficiency gaps and what literacy and math support structures exist.
See more original research from School Decision →