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GreatSchools Rating

Lawrence W Cross Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 788 students

 
 
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 3 ratings

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21 reviews of this school


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Posted January 27, 2013

Cross is an excellent school that properly prepared my older two sons for high school and is doing a great job with my third. The principal is awesome. My sons are all gifted and honors students. Cross now offers an advanced Language Arts class and a program to help them succeed with the AIMS standardized tests. IN addition, Cross is actively working on the new Common Core standards, before a lot of other schools.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 29, 2012

My daughter transferred into this school in the 8th grade and it turned out to be an excellent move. The math and science programs are excellent. The school also has an outstanding choir and orchestra. My daughter has really come into her own at this school. She made many friends quickly and is really enjoying herself. The school is a bit tough academically, but it has forced her to push herself into becoming a better student.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 8, 2012

This school is vastly underrated. The teachers and new administration are very forward thinking, communicative and motivated. The electives are exceptional. My experiences with the Art teacher and Music program have been more than outstanding. A booster club with over 90% parent participation? That's what the music program has.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 24, 2010

Great faculty, staff & students!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 28, 2010

I am very involved with my children and school I am also a student, parent and a business owner. I take the time out to email teachers every week, check grades, and my children s behaviors. I have never missed an event that they were involved in or a field trip. However I do not participate in the PTO. I assume that your judgment has been clouded by that. If a child is at a "popular" status in school then that child has few problems, but in the event that child is not "cool" then they have tons of problems. The ones that have tons of problems become problem children and the downfall starts from there.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 20, 2010

It is very interesting to read the reviews of this school. Both of my children attend Cross and I find it to be an overall positive experience. The leadership is open and innovative, the teachers range from fantastic to mediocre (typical at any school) and the students are a diverse group of individuals. I find there is no tolerance for bullying at Cross, but it is a middle school and stuff happens, that is part of the world in which we live. For those parents who give the thumbs down to any school, I suggest that you get involved. The excuse that I am too busy does not set well with me. I work full time and go to school, but I still find time to go to a PTO meeting and talk with the teachers and principle. My children and their education is a priority. Too busy, use email!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 9, 2010

Bullying needs to stop. No child should be afraid to go to school. Parents need to get involved in their childrens lives. It is obvious that the kids that bully have issues.


Posted January 12, 2010

Wow! I just found this site. I have had 4 children all attend 4 different middle schools including one private school. My son who received his middle school education at Cross Middle School had the best education of all my children. Hands down this school exceeded all expectations from previous experience with middle school educational programs. This is a school staffed with outstanding, experienced and highly qualified teachers who make a huge difference in the lives of their students. The Cross educational experience was far superior to even the exceptional (and expensive) private education of my daughter. It is a shining example of what can be done with tax payer dollars to provide a quality public education. If people knew what Cross has to offer they would be lining up to get in the door. This is truly a GREAT school. A pleased and impressed parent
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 20, 2009

Cross iddle is an outstanding Middle School which has great teachers who really care about their students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 12, 2009

I am an employee of Amphi School District and have a son currently attending Cross. I have met many employees and substitute teachers that have worked at Cross and they have all said that it is a great school to work at it. The students are polite and respectful and the staff is always helpful and nice. Cross has an outstanding PTO that is always sponsoring some sort of a function for the students to participate in, to raise money, and to get the community involved.Academically my son is challenged every day and really gets along with all his teachers. He is currently taking an Algebra 1 class as a 7th grader and upon completion will have a high school credit by the end of the year. Yes, the campus is old but it is clean and well kept.My son is receiving a top notch, well rounded education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 11, 2009

Cross Middle School has provided my child with the best education he has ever experienced. His teachers are aware of his individual needs, and communicate with me on a regular basis. I feel like a true partner with my son's teachers. Cross seems like a very progressive school, with a focus on 21st Century Learning. I think it is important for schools to change and develop as the needs of our community are changing.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 2, 2009

I have been very pleased with our experience at Cross Middle School. The principal is approachable and friendly. He has high standards for the students both academically and behaviorally and follows through to ensure they are being met. The teachers relate very well to this age group and treat each student as a capable learner. The PTO works closely with administration and doesn't lose site that they exist to support the school and do what is best for the students. Even though the physical appearance has not changed much over the years, the grounds are well kept and groomed nicely.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 16, 2009

Best Principal and wonderful team spirit. Teachers are all very caring and helpful to students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 15, 2008

This is an absolutly awful school! The campus is obvisously very old, and is very poor quality. The teachers are very lazy when it comes to homework. The first year of cross my child got his ipod, wallet, and cell phone stolen. The only thing returned to him was his wallet with no money left in it. the only thing the administration did to help was tell him to be more responsible with his items.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 11, 2008

I love this school the teachers are so welcoming and warming. The band class is really good too. Every year they go to disneyland and pagent of the bands and have come in at least first or second place
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 10, 2008

this school is absolutly awful the kids that go there are very bad behaved and thats probably because of the awful teaching and monitoring
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 6, 2007

I love cross middle i have gone there for 3 years now and i love it, the only complant i have is that the navy tean fir 6th grade is too easy. Other wise it is a good school, they are getting more parents involved with the school and it is a really good school.
—Submitted by a student


Posted March 11, 2006

My daughter really hates this school. The teachers are sub-par; the academics are rather easy.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 19, 2006

My son seems to enjoy this school and so far this year has been going well. I have not gone to the school as much as I would like but the times I have gone everyone is very helpful. I think the school is doing good
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 28, 2003

We are so pleased to be a part of a public school that provides Teachers who care about the students. Ms. Valentine and Ms. Balsa are two of the most dedicated teachers and such a blessing! They go that extra mile for the kids. My son tells me they teach updated information and I hear nothing but praise for the teachers at Cross Middle School!


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 61% in 2012.

200 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
78%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 80% in 2012.

200 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
81%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 56% in 2012.

195 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
94%
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 62% in 2012.

321 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
66%

2009

 
 
83%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 84% in 2012.

322 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
85%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 52% in 2012.

316 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
63%

2011

 
 
55%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
92%
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 57% in 2012.

283 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
68%

2009

 
 
77%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 72% in 2012.

283 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
81%
Science

The state average for Science was 68% in 2012.

281 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
73%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 86% in 2009.

305 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

  • In 2010-2011, this school was designated "Performing Plus".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was designated "Performing Plus".
  • 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 65% 42%
Hispanic 26% 42%
Asian 3% 3%
Black 3% 5%
American Indian/Alaska Native 2% 6%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 0% 0%
Two or more races 0% 1%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 18%N/A46%
English language learners 21%N/A14%
Source: 1 NCES, 2010-2011
Source: 2 AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Home languages of english learners

Language This school State average
Spanish 75% 81%
English 8% 12%
Japanese 8% 0%
Other Indian 8% 0%
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per certified teacher 18N/AN/A
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

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1000 W. Chapala Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85704
Website: Click here
Phone: (520) 696-5920

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