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GreatSchools Rating

Kiva Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 662 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 6 ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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23 reviews of this school


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Posted May 5, 2004

Our experience with Kiva has been outstanding....the teachers and administration have been accessible, helpful and caring. Parent involvement is a key to the success of this school as well, and the PTO is welcoming and effective, with plenty of opportunities for all to get involved. Both of our children have grown academically and are excelling.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 11, 2003

I had a two of my children at Kiva. Many of the teachers were exceptional. I did not agree with the philosophy of teaching only to the test. The principal Dr. Helminski is ineffective as an administrator. Our experience was very disappointing due to his inability to perform the duties of principal. The kiva PTO is a very involved group of parents. It was a lot of fun to be a part of that organization.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 15, 2002

My son just started at Kiva this year as a third grader. I couldn't have asked to feel more welcome or for a more dedicated teacher. His transition from a Montessori setting into a more traditional one has been smooth because of the dedication of his teacher. We are very happy!


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
88%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 75% in 2012.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
88%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 79% in 2009.

116 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
91%
Scale: % meets or exceeds

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Arizona used the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) to test students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and 10, writing in grades 5, 6, 7, and 10, and in science in grades 4, 8 and 10. AIMS is a standards-based test, which means that it measures how well students have mastered Arizona learning standards. Students must pass the grade 10 AIMS in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed state standards on the test.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 67% in 2012.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
89%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 75% in 2012.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
94%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
95%
Science

The state average for Science was 63% in 2012.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
82%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 83% in 2009.

124 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
93%
Scale: % meets or exceeds

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Arizona used the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) to test students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and 10, writing in grades 5, 6, 7, and 10, and in science in grades 4, 8 and 10. AIMS is a standards-based test, which means that it measures how well students have mastered Arizona learning standards. Students must pass the grade 10 AIMS in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed state standards on the test.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 63% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
88%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 78% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
95%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
91%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 56% in 2012.

89 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
93%
Scale: % meets or exceeds

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Arizona used the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) to test students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and 10, writing in grades 5, 6, 7, and 10, and in science in grades 4, 8 and 10. AIMS is a standards-based test, which means that it measures how well students have mastered Arizona learning standards. Students must pass the grade 10 AIMS in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed state standards on the test.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 61% in 2012.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
73%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
93%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 80% in 2012.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
94%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 56% in 2012.

93 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
98%
Scale: % meets or exceeds

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Arizona used the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) to test students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and 10, writing in grades 5, 6, 7, and 10, and in science in grades 4, 8 and 10. AIMS is a standards-based test, which means that it measures how well students have mastered Arizona learning standards. Students must pass the grade 10 AIMS in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed state standards on the test.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

  • In 2010-2011, this school was designated "Excelling".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was designated "Excelling".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was designated "Excelling".

About the tests


Arizona uses AZ LEARNS Achievement Profiles to indicate schools' overall performance each year. For elementary and middle schools, the profiles are based on current and historical aggregated AIMS results, MAP results and whether or not the school made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). For high schools, AIMS results, AYP status and graduation/dropout rates are used. Schools are identified as Excelling, Highly Performing, Performing Plus, Performing, Underperforming, Failing to Meet Academic Standards or Pending.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 85% 45%
Hispanic 7% 41%
Asian 4% 3%
American Indian or Alaska Native 2% 6%
Black 2% 6%
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 9%N/A51%
English language learners 5%N/A14%
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Home languages of english learners

Language This school State average
Spanish 37% 81%
French 15% 0%
Other Non-Indian 12% 1%
Arabic 5% 0%
Farsi (Persian) 5% 0%
Serbian 5% 0%
Czech 2% 0%
Dutch 2% 0%
English 2% 12%
Italian 2% 0%
Japanese 2% 0%
Rumanian 2% 0%
Tagalog 2% 0%
Vietnamese 2% 1%
Yugoslav 2% 0%
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per certified teacher 17N/AN/A
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

6911 East McDonald Drive
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Website: Click here
Phone: (480) 484-2200

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