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GreatSchools Rating

Mary Farmar Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 490 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

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

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted March 5, 2012

Love it! This school has great administration, great teachers and great parents. I've never had a problem reaching my kids' teachers or speaking with the principal. I specifically picked Farmar because of the family-like atmosphere and diverse student body. My son experienced some difficulties earlier this year with another student and I could not be happier with the teacher's response. Still offer a great selection of after school programs.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 19, 2010

That last review is really unfortunate. We've been at Mary Farmar for 4 years (2 kids) and have always experienced the staff to be warm, dedicated, and terrific, from teachers to principal to support staff. It has a true sense of community and we've been fortunate to be part of the Mary Farmar family!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 3, 2009

While my child is doing fairly well, and the environment 'seems' like an open and welcoming set-up, the Teachers are largely unavailable before and after school due to their being over-scheduled for yard duties. And trying to talk to the principal is pretty much pointless because she will never squeeze a few minutes out of her busy schedule for parents that actually show up and care about their children s education. If you are the invisible parent and don't ask questions your child will be fine.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 30, 2009

I have had an opportunity to attend all of the elementary schools in Benicia due to transfers and summer school and I can say by far Mary Farmar is the most diverse. It not only has a caring staff and dedicated teachers it has a well rounded community of parents from all socio economic backgrounds. That is what I want for my two children. I found that two of the other schools placed to much emphasis on test scores and performance on did not value the individural child. Mary Farmar is a family. They make each child feel welcomed and appreciated. The do an excellent job of adding erichment to the school with jazzercise, fencing, spanish and french and cooking for kids. I can't say how proud I am to be a Falcon Family!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 22, 2008

I love this school. I have 2 children who currently attend Farmar & they have showed to be great students. The teachers are great & the parent involvement at the school is excellent. I can't wait to enroll my other 2 children (when the time comes) at Farmar. I also love the fact that the classes are not over crowded.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 22, 2007

Wow, what a great experience this past year has been. Our daughter is about to finish her kindergarten year at Mary Farmar. We have been so pleased with the professional, kind, organized and experience staff at this school. All of the kindergarten teachers (as well as the first grade teachers) are warm and fuzzy while commanding and teaching respect. This school is just like the elementary I went to when I was a kid. The parents are very involved and there is absolutely no 'keep up with the Jones'' going on here. The principal, Mrs. Sullivan has a very strong and positive presence. We couldn't be more pleased.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 11, 2006

We have 2 boys at Farmar. Both have excelled not only academically but socially as well. Farmar has a solid format that works, but expect the amount of homework that goes along with it. The API scores of 86 prove the system works. Our oldest son attended from K-3 and is thriving in this system.
—Submitted by Mark Naccarelli, a parent


Posted May 4, 2005

Mary Farmar Elementary is a great school. The teachers do a great job of teaching the kids everything they need to know. Currently my daughter has Mrs. Johnson and I can tell she is getting them prepared for 6th grade. I also know she is getting through to the kids too. I love that they have the teachers do P.E. because the students already know them well. I also like the music teacher Mr. Johnson he has a lot of fun songs to teach them. i remember last year they had professinals come do a play with some of the kids from his 4 classes. The PTA is a great one and they really try hard to do whatever they can. I know in some of the lower grades they have parent volunteers everyday. I forgot to mention student concil. My daughter loves it. Sincerely, Anonymous
—Submitted by a former student


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

872

Change from
2011 to 2012

-3

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

8 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

5 / 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 did not meet all student subgroup API targets for 2012

This school's
API score

872

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

-3

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)

8 / 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)

5 / 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 58% in 2012.

71 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
57%

2009

 
 
70%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

71 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
72%
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

The state average for English Language Arts was 48% in 2012.

87 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
66%

2009

 
 
57%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

87 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
68%
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

The state average for English Language Arts was 67% in 2012.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
73%

2009

 
 
76%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
76%

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

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
70%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
67%

2009

 
 
66%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
71%
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 Students79%
Females83%
Males75%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino73%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability81%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
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)59%
Parent education - college graduate78%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students58%
Females57%
Males58%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino45%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)64%
Economically disadvantaged24%
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability58%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only59%
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)41%
Parent education - college graduate57%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate76%
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

English Language Arts

All Students62%
Females70%
Males53%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)62%
Economically disadvantaged25%
Non-economically disadvantaged73%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability64%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only63%
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)52%
Parent education - college graduate71%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate76%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students75%
Females72%
Males78%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino57%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)79%
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantaged84%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability75%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only76%
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)81%
Parent education - college graduate81%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate76%
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

English Language Arts

All Students82%
Females89%
Males76%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino68%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged54%
Non-economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability86%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only83%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate65%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)72%
Parent education - college graduate96%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students76%
Females84%
Males69%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino63%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)81%
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability81%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate53%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)72%
Parent education - college graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate90%
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

English Language Arts

All Students80%
Females82%
Males76%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino79%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)81%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability80%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
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)69%
Parent education - college graduate96%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate83%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students67%
Females69%
Males65%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino57%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)73%
Economically disadvantaged59%
Non-economically disadvantaged68%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability68%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only68%
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)59%
Parent education - college graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate63%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students75%
Females71%
Males78%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino79%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)77%
Economically disadvantaged47%
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability76%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only75%
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)66%
Parent education - college graduate92%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate83%
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
White 54% 28%
Multiple or No Response 29% 3%
Hispanic or Latino 6% 49%
African American 4% 7%
Filipino 4% 3%
Asian 3% 8%
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 15%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 223%N/A52%
Source: 1 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Source: 2 NCES, 2008-2009

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 22N/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 17N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 100%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

901 Military West
Benicia, CA 94510
Phone: (707) 747-8350

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