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GreatSchools Rating

Richard Henry Dana Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 775 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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13 reviews of this school


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Posted March 6, 2013

I love this school!! I'm an 8th grader and I'm really sad that I'm leaving next year. This school has excellent teachers and a great principal. There are tons of activities and clubs you can join and it's so much fun. Everyone fits in here and there is absolutely no bullying. I made friends in no time at all. If you're looking for a place where u can express your talent, hang out with your friends, not have so much homework and get fabulous grades easily in all of your classes, this is definitely the perfect school for you :)


Posted February 12, 2012

Dana Middle school is THE BEST!!! :D I am a sixth grader here at Dana and I love it there! There are many clubs that will help your students make a lot of friends. The teachers have the best teaching! You'll never feel ignored and they'll always be there to help you when you need it. There are lots of proctors and teachers supervising students during break and lunch everywhere in the school grounds and you'll have less chance to be bullied there. I have made a lot of good friends there! If you want your child or children to have more friends and better teaching and education...DANA IS THE BEST SCHOOL TO CHOOSE!!! :D GO DANA MARINERS!!! :pd


Posted November 22, 2010

This is an exellent school, as the rating shows. The students there are very good manners, there are awesome extra curriculms, they are commited to learning, and all of them are happy. They have very effective ways of learning that don't bore the kids. THey have plenty of clubs so they are never lonely or bored. The teachers there actually have feelings for the children, not just view them as money. THe principal participates in a lot of activites, and supports the kids. There is a lot of parent involvment, and i just have to say, THIS SCHOOL IS THE GREATEST!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 22, 2010

This is the best school out there. The extracurricular activities are awesome and you learn very fast and easy on academic classes too. They have so much work done for the students here, I feel like an individual, not part of a big swarm of kids.
—Submitted by a student


Posted April 16, 2009

this school is excellent. i have no idea what the other parents are thinking. they let the students in the school be more independent and you cant expect anymore from them
—Submitted by a student


Posted March 31, 2009

I am so dissappointed with this school. There are too many students and not enough staff to watch them. Administration reacts to problems rather than thinking them out for proper solutions. I am taking my child out of this school. I would not recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 21, 2009

The students and parents value education and manners. Teachers and support staff are just average. School staff should get very little credits for it.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 3, 2008

Disappointing lack of commitment to a well-rounded education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 31, 2008

this school is the greatest!!! if your children need a friend or a nice middle school dana is the best!!!
—Submitted by a student


Posted October 23, 2007

My mom went here, I went here, and now my daughter is a Mariner too! Great teachers and music program!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 6, 2005

This school is fantastic! They care about the students, their welfair, and emotional stability. Highly recommended
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 17, 2005

The quality of academics is impacted by the overcrowding at the school site. Among the extracurricular activities are music, art, cooking, sewing and workshop. The school has alarming safety issues such as traffic problems.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 31, 2005

Superb English teachers that really teaches the art of good writing. I saw both of my kids improved tremendously in their writing skills as a result of Mr. Child's and Mrs Huntzinger's guidance in their seventh and eighth grade year. They are well prepared for the High School standards and requirements.
—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

950

Change from
2011 to 2012

+6

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

9 / 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 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

950

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

+6

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)

10 / 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)

9 / 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.
English Language Arts

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

263 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
85%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

263 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
82%
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 86% in 2012.

29 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
100%

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
100%
English Language Arts

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

240 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
83%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

212 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
79%
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.

175 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
95%
English Language Arts

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

256 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
83%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

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

32 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
34%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
53%

2009

 
 
57%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
100%

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
100%
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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

265 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
84%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

256 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
87%
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

English Language Arts

All Students85%
Females89%
Males81%
African Americann/a
Asian91%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino63%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)80%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability85%
English learner33%
Fluent-English proficient and English only88%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate64%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)73%
Parent education - college graduate87%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to state69%

Math

All Students91%
Females93%
Males88%
African Americann/a
Asian96%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino60%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)87%
Economically disadvantaged85%
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability91%
English learner73%
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate93%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)82%
Parent education - college graduate91%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to state100%
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 Students100%
Femalesn/a
Males100%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged100%
Students with no reported disability100%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only100%
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 graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students88%
Females91%
Males85%
African Americann/a
Asian89%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino91%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)82%
Economically disadvantaged83%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disability36%
Students with no reported disability90%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only90%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate64%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)81%
Parent education - college graduate92%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students89%
Females92%
Males84%
African Americann/a
Asian95%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino75%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)83%
Economically disadvantaged78%
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disability27%
Students with no reported disability92%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only90%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate60%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)78%
Parent education - college graduate95%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
Parent education - declined to staten/a
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 Students89%
Females89%
Males90%
African Americann/a
Asian95%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino76%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)67%
Economically disadvantaged88%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability89%
English learner92%
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate91%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)82%
Parent education - college graduate91%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate88%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students86%
Females92%
Males83%
African Americann/a
Asian91%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino76%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)67%
Economically disadvantaged82%
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability87%
English learner36%
Fluent-English proficient and English only90%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate85%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)83%
Parent education - college graduate84%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students34%
Females27%
Males38%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino31%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged26%
Students with disability21%
Students with no reported disability44%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only35%
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)45%
Parent education - college graduate17%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Geometry

All Students100%
Females100%
Males100%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged100%
Students with no reported disability100%
Fluent-English proficient and English only100%
Gifted and talented100%
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 graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students83%
Females85%
Males80%
African Americann/a
Asian88%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino55%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)86%
Economically disadvantaged71%
Non-economically disadvantaged84%
Students with disability21%
Students with no reported disability86%
English learner27%
Fluent-English proficient and English only86%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate85%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)71%
Parent education - college graduate81%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate89%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students93%
Females94%
Males92%
African Americann/a
Asian96%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino88%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)81%
Economically disadvantaged88%
Non-economically disadvantaged94%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability94%
English learner79%
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate92%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)93%
Parent education - college graduate90%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a
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
Asian 71% 8%
White 15% 28%
Hispanic or Latino 11% 49%
Filipino 2% 3%
African American 1% 7%
Multiple or No Response 1% 3%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 16%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 215%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
Mandarin (Putonghua) 49% 1%
Cantonese 26% 2%
Korean 6% 1%
Spanish 5% 85%
Vietnamese 5% 2%
Indonesian 3% 0%
Arabic 2% 1%
Burmese 2% 0%
Serbo-Croatian (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian) 2% 0%
Taiwanese 2% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 29N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 12N/A11
Average years teaching 14N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 97%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 3%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1401 South First Avenue
Arcadia, CA 91006
Phone: (626) 821-8361

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