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GreatSchools Rating

Rosa Parks Environmental Science Magnet School

Public | K-5 | 422 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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10 reviews of this school


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Posted November 30, 2012

Berkeley has a lot of great elementary schools in my zone, they are all great but Rosa Parks really stands out. My son is now in 1st grade. The principal, teachers, staff and parent community bring together a really positive learning experience for my son. The campus which is very atypical for most school provides a great atmosphere. There is a lot of parent involvement including having parents come in to lead song sessions and Yoga demonstrating that it takes a community to help our children grow up strong. and for those of you who look closely at test scores. Rosa Parks had some of the highest increases within the state of California. I can't wait for my daughter who will be in Kindergarten at Rosa Parks next year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 27, 2012

My child is a Kindergartener at RP this year and we LOVE it. I have felt nothing but welcomed by the teachers, principal, and other parents. This school is the best kept secret in the Berkeley Public School System! (Oops ... Did I just let the cat out of the bag? Lucky for us ... we're in!) Your family will be happy to be a part of this community if you are picked in the lottery system. YAY Berkeley Public Schools! ~ A proud RP Parent and Berkeley Native
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 27, 2012

We are so lucky to be a part of the RP community. A 5? Really? Rosa Parks is sort of like an amazing vacation spot that hasn't been discovered yet. :) It will be soon ... and we get to be there. So fortunate. The teachers and administrators care about the children beyond their "standard testing". These kids get prepared socially and spiritually as well ... while developing conscious minds and caring personalities. Kudos to RP!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 1, 2008

Rosa Parks rocks! Talented teachers and a caring community. Children at all levels thrive.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 29, 2007

I am so excited to be a parent at Rosa Parks. The teachers are amazing, the support staff meets weekly to strategize on how meet the needs of all children and the campus is calm, respectful and safe. I am the parent of a child in the english only program and he has had amazing science classes, art and cooking. There are monthly assemblies
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 4, 2006

Rosa Parks has been a quiet kept secret in Berkeley. It has an amazing teaching staff that is supported by an energetic literacy coach all under the direction of a strong, but realistic principal. The principal can be seen on the school campus interacting with the students and parents daily. The students are engaged in their learning and develop the skills necessary to respect their peers and the environment. And the science teacher she is stellar. Keep up the great work!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 28, 2006

We have been very happy with the quality of education and the overall atmosphere at Rosa Parks. Class sizes are small and the facility is beautiful. Our daughter is in the bilingual program in kindergarten, and her reading is excellent in both languages. The Spanish/English immersion program that BUSD offers is fantastic, and it is alive and well at Rosa Parks. Other benefits include the science program, gardening and cooking, and the strong after-school program.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 23, 2006

My older son is now in middle school after all six elementary years at Rosa Parks and my younger son is in the fourth grade there. Nothing is more important to me than their education, and I've been very pleased with the quality of the teachers and programs at Rosa Parks. Both of my sons are really interested in school and challenged to achieve at high levels. The science program is engaging and interesting. The teachers really fo teach to all the children, including the high achievers. The district-wide music program has also enriched their lives greatly one of them even practices without being asked, he's so passionate about his instrument. Keep up the great work, Rosa Parks and Berkeley Unified School District!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 21, 2005

Rosa Parks made significant gains in 05 on the state test, this is reflective of the restructure and focus on quality instruction. The school has landed an experienced principal and is excited to begin a new school year. Progress is definately on the horizon.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 23, 2005

Many of the teachers at Rosa Parks are excellent, and the facilities are certainly above average. However, there are intractable problems at that school that the best efforts of the staff and the PTA have been unable to address. Proceed with caution.
—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

884

Change from
2011 to 2012

+59

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

6 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

3 / 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

884

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

+59

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)

6 / 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)

3 / 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.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
47%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
35%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
44%
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.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
32%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

79 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
59%

2009

 
 
41%
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.

72 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
34%

2009

 
 
55%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

72 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
65%
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.

53 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
51%

2010

 
 
60%

2009

 
 
53%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
56%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

53 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
43%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
47%
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 Students80%
Females69%
Males90%
African American64%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino86%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)84%
Economically disadvantaged74%
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability80%
English learner81%
Fluent-English proficient and English only80%
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 graduate79%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate87%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students83%
Females72%
Males93%
African American64%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino76%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability82%
English learner63%
Fluent-English proficient and English only88%
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 graduate84%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
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 Students67%
Females71%
Males64%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantaged54%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability69%
English learner42%
Fluent-English proficient and English only78%
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)55%
Parent education - college graduate75%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate79%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students78%
Females80%
Males75%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino63%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)84%
Economically disadvantaged68%
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability81%
English learner60%
Fluent-English proficient and English only85%
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)55%
Parent education - college graduate85%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate89%
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 Students83%
Females86%
Males82%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino74%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability83%
English learner60%
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)67%
Parent education - college graduate91%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate97%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students87%
Females86%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino87%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)96%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Non-economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability87%
English learner80%
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)83%
Parent education - college graduate91%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
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 Students70%
Females75%
Males62%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino60%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantaged39%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability71%
English learner25%
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)58%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate90%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students75%
Females76%
Males73%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)95%
Economically disadvantaged54%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability78%
English learner50%
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)58%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students80%
Females78%
Males81%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino85%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantaged57%
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability80%
English learner58%
Fluent-English proficient and English only85%
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)75%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
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
Hispanic or Latino 31% 49%
White 30% 28%
Multiple or No Response 20% 3%
African American 14% 7%
Asian 5% 8%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Filipino 0% 3%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 131%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 252%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 73% 85%
All other non-English languages 18% 1%
Arabic 2% 1%
Italian 2% 0%
Punjabi 2% 1%
Urdu 2% 0%
Cantonese 1% 2%
Farsi (Persian) 1% 0%
Gujarati 1% 0%
Hindi 1% 0%
Portuguese 1% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 19N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 7N/A11
Average years teaching 12N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 92%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

920 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94710
Phone: (510) 644-8812

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