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GreatSchools Rating

Balsz School

Public | PK-6 | 715 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 3 ratings

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9 reviews of this school


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Posted December 30, 2010

Mrs.Bengochea is the best principal for the job as a former student there is nobody who can hold a candle to how amazing of a principal she truly is she cares about the students more than just the paycheck i advise all parents to send their kids to balsz school


Posted November 11, 2010

While Balsz school may not reflect the best test scores, the work they do for the student population is superior. High expectations, effective leadership and teacher effectiveness is evident on the campus. Working in an inner city school with a diverse ELL population presents many challenges that are being overcome each year with dedication from staff and support from parents. Go BALSZ TIGERS
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted September 3, 2010

Balsz has some of the best teachers I have ever seen. They teach using standards and high expectations. They give an appropriate amount of homework. The principal is always around campus and knows all of the kids. This is one of the best schools in the area!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 26, 2010

I rating this school with five stars because is the best school here in phoenix......I really want to said thank you for the good staff that works in this school!!!! they are friendly and nice with all the parents.......
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 26, 2009

this school is the best ever!!i used to go there and honesly its the best school ive ever ben in.the teachers are great you have so much to do to keep you out of trouble.its a great learning invironment and most students are well rounded.i love balsz i wish i could go back!!some of my best memories are there
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 8, 2006

I think Balsz school is the best school my kids have ever gone to. there is no a problem in school with them their grades hvae gone up since they've gone there. Th wake up club did a great job with my son he has learn to respect and to help out our community. The teachers over there are amazing. I'd say Ms.Davis was a great teacher for my son. My daughter tried out for volleyball and loved it. The coach was awsome. I went to all her games. I never had concerns with teachers with my kids. They Like the staff there. The principal shows great leader ship.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 16, 2006

This school is a satisfaction to all the community w/ the most talanted teachers you might find anywhere. They provide ther intellectual time to students to help them learn and advance in any situation. This school to my son who used to go there in 2000 was very proud of this one school and hopes that others that are opend minded will have the same advantage as he did when he went there.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted June 5, 2005

This school overal is a fine school to let your kids attend. It rates at a performing quality in the SAT scores. There is a music program for the younger kids. There is an art program for the older kids. There is a physical program for the older and younger kids as well. The food though, I've been told, needs improvement. The teachers are one of a kind. There is one particular teacher that I would like to point out. She is Miss Baker. One of the best math teachers you will find in the world. Some i must admit I didn't care for. There are many programs your kid could join dependin on what he or she enjoys to do. There is a gifted program, sports program, music, and drama programs.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted November 2, 2003

My daughter was in the headstart program and the teachers are great. Too bad the administration for headstart is not good enough to even be bad. They give you the notice of them doing something that is critical for your child's well being after they have done it.
—Submitted by a parent


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.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
41%

2011

 
 
57%

2010

 
 
50%

2009

 
 
52%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 75% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
41%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
56%

2009

 
 
45%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 79% in 2009.

96 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
61%
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.

103 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
43%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
49%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 75% in 2012.

103 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
45%
Science

The state average for Science was 63% in 2012.

103 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
31%

2011

 
 
23%

2010

 
 
41%

2009

 
 
28%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 83% in 2009.

106 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
48%
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.

97 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
55%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
32%

2009

 
 
43%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 78% in 2012.

97 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
45%

2009

 
 
47%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 56% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
32%

2011

 
 
26%

2010

 
 
32%

2009

 
 
61%
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.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
54%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 80% in 2012.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
65%

2009

 
 
51%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 56% in 2012.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
31%

2011

 
 
34%

2010

 
 
47%

2009

 
 
78%
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 "Performing Plus".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was designated "Performing".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was designated "Performing".

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
Hispanic 82% 41%
Black 10% 6%
White 5% 45%
American Indian or Alaska Native 2% 6%
Asian N/A 3%
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 91%N/A51%
English language learners 32%N/A14%
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Home languages of english learners

Language This school State average
Spanish 87% 81%
Other Non-Indian 5% 1%
English 4% 12%
Arabic 2% 0%
Somali 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!

4309 E Belleview St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Website: Click here
Phone: (602) 629-6500

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