La Colima Elementary

Set in Whittier, California, La Colima Elementary is an intimate elementary-level community, run under East Whittier City Elementary. It caters to 378 students across grades K through 5.

Within East Whittier City Elementary, which oversees 13 schools and 7,442 students, La Colima Elementary is one campus in the system.

Demographically, La Colima Elementary records that nearly all students (88%) are Hispanic; the rest breaks down as 5% White, 4% multiracial, 2% Asian. By comparison, Los Angeles County as a whole is about 48% Hispanic, so the school skews visibly more Hispanic than its surroundings.

In terms of school funding signals, Staff filings list 18 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 20.8:1 students per teacher. The state averages around 22.3:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. An estimated 77% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

With demographic context factored in, La Colima Elementary tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 33.5% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 41.9%.

Across the wider county, ACS estimates for Los Angeles County put median household earnings sit near $90,112, roughly 36% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Across Los Angeles County's 2244 public schools (combined enrollment of about 1,265,907 students), La Colima Elementary is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Ceres Elementary, roughly 0.6 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts La Colima Elementary at 7th of 9; the average score across the group is 46.2%.

The campus sits in a suburban setting.

Five-year trend. Over the past 7-year window, the student count fell 20%: 471 students in 2018 compared to 378 in 2025. The student-to-teacher ratio pulled in from 22.9:1 in 2018 to 20.8:1 today.

In the discussion threads here, members of the La Colima Elementary community share and discuss sports schedules, lunch menu changes, and school spirit week. Posting is open to anyone connected to the school.