The top reported proficiency rate is 20% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Madison Elementary
Madison Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Pasadena as a regular public school in the Pasadena Unified School District. The school sits in a neighborhood with substantial economic need: the vast majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student body is almost entirely Hispanic, with small numbers of Black, Asian, and multiracial students and very few white students.
The school's state test results show weak proficiency across all tested subjects and grades. In English language arts, overall proficiency is in the bottom tier compared to other districts in Los Angeles County. Math proficiency is similarly low and declines sharply by grade level, falling to single-digit rates in fifth grade. Science proficiency at fifth grade is also quite low. Because only the past school year of data is available, it is not possible to see whether these results reflect a trend or a single snapshot. A parent looking at these numbers may want to reach out to the school directly to understand what academic support systems are in place and what the school's priorities are for improving student achievement in core subjects.
Pasadena as a community is a multifaceted city with several distinct character zones: Old Pasadena's walkable historic downtown, the civic core anchored by City Hall and the Central Library, residential neighborhoods ranging from Craftsman-bungalow historic districts to suburban family areas, and Caltech-adjacent academic neighborhoods. The city's two dominant employers are Caltech and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Housing in the area is expensive by national standards, and rents are also high relative to income. Pasadena is experiencing significant multifamily residential development concentrated in its central core, with many projects in the pipeline adding new housing stock.
The Pasadena Unified School District faces substantial headwinds. In January 2025, the Eaton Fire destroyed or severely damaged five school campuses, displacing thousands of students and triggering a rebuilding process that will take years. The district faces a structural budget deficit worsened by declining enrollment and loss of COVID-relief funds. In November 2025 the board voted to cut significantly from the 2026-27 budget through layoffs of librarians, teachers, and support staff, along with cuts to arts, science, and athletics programs. The district pursued a school-consolidation and closure process in 2025-2026, though a community advisory committee recommended against closures in May 2026 and the board ended the consultant contract in June 2026, pausing any closure effort for now. At the same time, in November 2024, voters approved Measure R, a bond for facility renovations, and Measure EE, the district's first-ever parcel tax, which will fund school programs and upgrades for years to come. These competing realities—major new funding paired with deep budget cuts and fire-driven rebuilding—shape the district's near-term trajectory and resources.
Madison Elementary's location in Pasadena puts it in a city with walkable neighborhoods, strong civic infrastructure, and access to higher education and research institutions. The school itself operates within a district managing significant disruption and financial strain, though also beginning major capital improvement work. Families considering this school should understand the current academic results, weigh the district's budget constraints against new bond and parcel-tax funding, and factor in the ongoing recovery from the fire and its effects on campus operations across the district.
See more original research from School Decision →