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GreatSchools Rating

Ball Junior High School

Public | 7-8 | 1237 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 5 ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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18 reviews of this school


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Posted January 20, 2012

This school is a good school . Sure , it doesn't have the best people . But the teachers here are amazing , they'll care for you no matter what . They spend their time after school everyday . The choir & band are spectacular . The ASB always gets involved .The sports are fun ! The students are helpful too ! If some people had actually tried , we would be a great school . So please , don't think this school is a bad school ! The teachers here at great !


Posted November 4, 2011

I really don't know why people said this school is" bad"....I'm a student at Ball Jr. High. my first time came to Ball ....i was really nervous, but the teachers was so NICE!!! they are wonderful...well I can't explain it. they helped me and the other students a lot...i learned many things from them.. this year, to encourage students to try hard... the end of quarter they let us enjoy and relaxed by created a carnival.even though, it not fancy..but we do have a great time....THANK YOU all teachers for what you have done for us... and i would like if you can create more fun things like this for us!!


Posted September 13, 2011

this school sucks its a very badd school teachers just dont care about studentss they need to learn this school suckss


Posted August 28, 2011

I was a student at Ball Jr. High last year. I honestly think this school is a great school. The teachers are always there to help you whenever you're having trouble. All the staff is amazing, and VERY helpful! I had 2 wonderful years at Ball Jr. High!


Posted August 28, 2011

I attended this school and i truly have the best memories, i am currently in college finishing the nursing program.


Posted January 23, 2011

As a 6th grade teacher from a nearby school, I have had many encounters with staff and my former students. The pre-Oxford days saw high-level Honors classes at Ball. Those classes are still hgh-level, due to the excellent efforts of staff to ensure that ALL studentsare placed appropriately. Student achievement at this age-level is all about will, determination, and personal drive. These young people are going through so many changes, it's amazing that so many achieve so well. I salute the staff and students of Ball Junior High for their efforts. My motto: Be brave and ask the questions you need answered. Also: never pay retail.


Posted September 30, 2010

I attended Ball jr high back in 1989 I trully love this school. I had the best teachers ever.


Posted September 23, 2010

I'm a student here and I feel that this school is VERY ghetto.. I find my English Teacher and my History Teacher cussing all the time.. I do not fit in this school, I can't make friends, and it is very hard for me to focus with these immature students when they keep yapping. My teachers take to much time arguing with kids, and it is keeping us from learning, I also think they go to fast when they teach, and it is hard for me to write one single thing when the notes I have to write disappear in 5 seconds.. This school is terrible. I am so glad I am going to transfer.


Posted February 27, 2010

well all the schools in the anaheim union high school district are terrible except for lexington,walker,and oxford. cypress high,kennedy and oxford.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted January 13, 2010

This school is the best! even though it is not in the greatest of neighborhoods. This school has great teachers and great curricular! Everyone at this school is very friendly no matter what anyone has to say! They one of the p.e. departments anywhere in AUHSD. I was very surprised by the other reviews this is a great school and they treat ALL people fairly no matter what! So if your child moves within distance from the school don't think about what others say see for yourself and maybe you'll change your mind about the way this school is.
—Submitted by a student


Posted January 18, 2009

I am an 8th grade honor student. I have been involved in any thing possible from sports to clubs. This school is great. The school was placed in a bad area but that is not entirly their fault. The teachers and staff are great. Its just the students(most not all) that need a reality check.
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 9, 2008

I find the administration staff to very uncaring and will allow your struggling child to fall between the cracks. I have witnessed this same uncarless cycle repeating itself for the last two yesrs. If we as parents do not hold administration accountable, I assure no one else will, for they will receive a pay check regardless of your childs acadamic failures. It is Dr Fried' first year of serving our children and community. Let's see if he is man who truly cares for our childrens welfare. Don't forget to get involved with your childs education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 12, 2008

I am a honor student that goes to ball this school is in a bad area, is filled with gang violence, and drug abuse. I am shocked by this other reviews. Ask any teacher they'll tell you no matter how harsh, bitter, and incompeitent they are they'll tell you, this school is ghetto.
—Submitted by a student


Posted August 11, 2008

this school is awesome! It has amazing teachers that are very caring towards our educucation. I will dearly miss this awesome experience at Ball Jr. High.
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 9, 2008

I was a student at this school in 2005 the teachers helped m e through hard times the teachers where easy to work with and understanding about my disability
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 1, 2008

I agree that this school is very poorly run. I have found that the teachers are very difficult and very bitter. Moving to a new school can be a challenge for new students and the staff here has not made this easy. If I didn't like the area in which we live so much, I would surely move back to our previous district. I am saddened by the treatment my children have received and can not wait for day when they leave this hostile environment of learning.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 30, 2007

this is a great school with a great principal. they also have great teachers. they have one of the best p.e departmnets.
—Submitted by a student


Posted November 3, 2004

I found this school to be poorly ran. The administration does not meet students needs and do not listen to parents when they offer help. My son has a medical diagnosed brain disorder and he was treated like a behavior problem. He is now in private school at $500 a month. A good move on our part. He is in an environment where he is treated fairly!
—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.

The API reflects year-over-year schools performance based on STAR test score results from spring 2012.

This school's
API score

718

Change from
2011 to 2012

+17

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

2 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

2 / 10


API Growth scores over time

Did this school meet the API goal this year?
The state goal for API is 800. All schools that are below 800 are assigned an API improvement target each year.
  • This school met its schoolwide API target for 2012.
  • This school has not yet met the state goal of 800.

API Growth scores by subgroup

In addition to schoolwide API scores, each student subgroup receives an API score.
Did this school meet all the API goals for student subgroups this year?
The state goal for the API is 800. All the student subgroups at a school that are below 800 are assigned an API improvement target each year.
  • This school met all student subgroup API targets for 2012

This school's
API score

718

What is the API?
The Academic Performance Index (API) is a single number assigned to each school by the California Department of Education to measure overall school performance and improvement over time on statewide testing. The API ranges from 200 and 1000, with 800 as the state goal for all schools.
Change from
2011 to 2012

+17

Change from 2011 to 2012
Comparing the API Growth to the Base shows whether or not this school’s test score performance improved between Spring 2011 and Spring 2012. The API ranges between 200 and 1000, with 800 as the statewide goal for all schools. Schools scoring below an 800 are given at least a 5 point target for the next year.
API Statewide Rank
(2011)

2 / 10

API Statewide Rank (2011)
The API Statewide Rank ranges from 1 to 10. A rank of 10, for example, means that the school’s API fell into the top 10% of all schools in the state with a comparable grade range. The 2011 rank is based on results from tests students took in Spring 2011.
API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

2 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)
The API Similar Schools Rank ranges from 1 to 10. It shows how the school compares to other schools with similar student demographic profiles. The California Department of Education uses parent education level, poverty level, student ethnicity and other data to identify similar schools.
Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 86% in 2012.

72 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 62% in 2012.

525 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
41%

2011

 
 
37%

2010

 
 
39%

2009

 
 
38%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

452 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
27%

2011

 
 
34%

2010

 
 
38%

2009

 
 
29%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 California used the California Standards Tests (CSTs) to test students in English language arts in grades 2 through 11; math in grades 2 through 7; science in grades 5, 8 and 10; and history-social science in grades 8 and 11. Middle and high school students also took subject-specific CSTs in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled. The CSTs are standards-based tests, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 49% in 2012.

406 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
36%

2011

 
 
17%

2010

 
 
16%

2009

 
 
16%
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 59% in 2012.

530 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
43%

2011

 
 
40%

2010

 
 
39%

2009

 
 
35%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

The state average for General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards) was 32% in 2012.

168 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
6%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

The state average for History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative was 52% in 2012.

583 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
38%

2010

 
 
38%

2009

 
 
33%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

530 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
59%

2011

 
 
47%

2010

 
 
46%

2009

 
 
49%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 California used the California Standards Tests (CSTs) to test students in English language arts in grades 2 through 11; math in grades 2 through 7; science in grades 5, 8 and 10; and history-social science in grades 8 and 11. Middle and high school students also took subject-specific CSTs in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled. The CSTs are standards-based tests, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students83%
Females79%
Males87%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino78%
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged85%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Students with no reported disability83%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only83%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented84%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state81%

English Language Arts

All Students41%
Females46%
Males36%
African American40%
Asian77%
Filipino71%
Hispanic or Latino34%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)54%
Economically disadvantaged38%
Non-economically disadvantaged65%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability41%
English learner8%
Fluent-English proficient and English only53%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented88%
Parent education - not a high school graduate25%
Parent education - high school graduate26%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state42%

Math

All Students27%
Females24%
Males30%
African American20%
Asian67%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino24%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)22%
Economically disadvantaged26%
Non-economically disadvantaged43%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability27%
English learner11%
Fluent-English proficient and English only34%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented68%
Parent education - not a high school graduate14%
Parent education - high school graduate35%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)0%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state28%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 California used the California Standards Tests (CSTs) to test students in English language arts in grades 2 through 11; math in grades 2 through 7; science in grades 5, 8 and 10; and history-social science in grades 8 and 11. Middle and high school students also took subject-specific CSTs in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled. The CSTs are standards-based tests, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the California Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students36%
Females38%
Males33%
African American31%
Asian68%
Filipino46%
Hispanic or Latino33%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)23%
Economically disadvantaged33%
Non-economically disadvantaged52%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability36%
English learner21%
Fluent-English proficient and English only39%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented70%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state36%

English Language Arts

All Students43%
Females47%
Males38%
African American43%
Asian68%
Filipino69%
Hispanic or Latino37%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)55%
Economically disadvantaged39%
Non-economically disadvantaged64%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability43%
English learner13%
Fluent-English proficient and English only53%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented88%
Parent education - not a high school graduate55%
Parent education - high school graduate38%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state41%

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students6%
Females4%
Males6%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino5%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)0%
Economically disadvantaged5%
Non-economically disadvantaged12%
Students with disability0%
Students with no reported disability8%
English learner6%
Fluent-English proficient and English only4%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state5%

Geometry

All Studentsn/a
Femalesn/a
Malesn/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with no reported disabilityn/a
Fluent-English proficient and English onlyn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students39%
Females38%
Males40%
African American47%
Asian67%
Filipino54%
Hispanic or Latino35%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)48%
Economically disadvantaged37%
Non-economically disadvantaged57%
Students with disability3%
Students with no reported disability43%
English learner13%
Fluent-English proficient and English only51%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented82%
Parent education - not a high school graduate33%
Parent education - high school graduate31%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state38%

Science

All Students59%
Females57%
Males62%
African American79%
Asian88%
Filipino62%
Hispanic or Latino55%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)64%
Economically disadvantaged58%
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability60%
English learner34%
Fluent-English proficient and English only68%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented93%
Parent education - not a high school graduate55%
Parent education - high school graduate46%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state59%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 California used the California Standards Tests (CSTs) to test students in English language arts in grades 2 through 11; math in grades 2 through 7; science in grades 5, 8 and 10; and history-social science in grades 8 and 11. Middle and high school students also took subject-specific CSTs in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled. The CSTs are standards-based tests, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the California Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See California's state standards

Source: California 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 or Latino 76% 49%
White 9% 28%
Asian 6% 8%
Multiple or No Response 3% 3%
African American 2% 7%
Filipino 2% 3%
Pacific Islander 1% 1%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 133%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 270%N/A52%
Source: 1 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Source: 2 NCES, 2008-2009

Home languages of english learners

Language This school State average
Spanish 94% 85%
Arabic 1% 1%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 1% 1%
Korean 1% 1%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
Albanian 0% 0%
All other non-English languages 0% 1%
Cantonese 0% 2%
German 0% 0%
Gujarati 0% 0%
Japanese 0% 0%
Punjabi 0% 1%
Rumanian 0% 0%
Samoan 0% 0%
Thai 0% 0%
Tongan 0% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 11N/A11
Average years teaching 14N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 96%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1500 West Ball Road
Anaheim, CA 92802
Website: Click here
Phone: (714) 999-3663

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