The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in English language arts. The lowest is 28% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Wesley Gaines
Wesley Gaines serves kindergarten through fourth grade in Paramount, a small, densely populated, ethnically diverse working-class city in southeast Los Angeles County. The school sits in a suburban context shaped by tree-lined neighborhoods and a balanced mix of residential and light industrial uses, with local commerce running along Paramount and Alondra Boulevards. Housing in the immediate area is moderately priced for Los Angeles County, with typical home values in the mid-range and rental costs at roughly a third of household income; a substantial share of families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the neighborhood.
The school serves a small student body, with an enrollment distributed across all five grade levels it offers. The student population is predominantly Hispanic, with smaller shares of Black, Asian, and multiracial students. English learner and special education enrollment figures were not available, making it difficult to characterize these populations fully.
State testing data from the 2024-25 school year shows proficiency below the midpoint among schools in Los Angeles County. In English language arts, proficiency improves as students move up through the grades: third graders showed lower rates, while fourth-grade results were stronger and fifth-grade performance was strongest, with just under half of students meeting the standard. In mathematics, proficiency runs between the mid-30s and low-40s across grades three through five, with slight decline as grades rise. Science testing, which occurs only in fifth grade, showed lower proficiency. Overall proficiency across tested subjects sits below the county median. No prior-year trend data is available, so it is not possible to assess whether performance has moved or remained stable.
The Paramount Unified School District, Wesley Gaines' parent district, has undertaken two significant parent-relevant changes. In November 2024, voters approved a facilities bond that will fund repairs to aging infrastructure and classroom improvements district-wide; this adds to property taxes for homeowners and will reshape the physical condition of schools over time. The district has also launched a Spanish dual language immersion program, using a 90:10 model beginning in kindergarten at two school sites with plans to expand into middle school as cohorts advance. A parent may want to look into Wesley Gaines' potential future participation in dual language offerings, as the program is currently at two other elementary schools but designed to grow.
The surrounding city is built out and pursuing infill development rather than new subdivision growth, with new retail, affordable housing, and community projects underway. The Paramount Library reopened in 2024 after renovation, and parks including Paramount Park and Pequino Park are nearby. Bus transit through Metro and local fixed-route shuttles connects residents to shopping, schools, and recreation. The Metro C Line rail station at Lakewood Boulevard is accessible for longer trips.
Wesley Gaines is a neighborhood elementary school serving a working-class community with limited household income and substantial economic need. Academic proficiency is low relative to the county. The school's role is to serve the immediate local families who walk or are driven to its campus on East Jackson Street, and its immediate challenge is improving student learning outcomes in reading and mathematics in the early grades where foundation skills matter most.
See more original research from School Decision →