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GreatSchools Rating

Thousand Oaks Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 441 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

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

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14 reviews of this school


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Posted October 28, 2012

My granddaughter has said that she loves every teacher she's had, from K-4. She's been saying that every year has been her best year. Her parents and I agree on the quality of each year. The quality of the PTA is excellent and the new principal this year seems to be excellent, too. My granddaughter just told me that not only will she be getting a report card/parent-teacher conference in a week, but also she will have to grade herself on being thoughtful to others, etc. I don't know if it's the whole fourth grade who will be doing this, all of the upper grades or just her class, but I am HIGHLY impressed that they will have to be introspective about their actions as human beings.


Posted March 22, 2012

Berkeley's only public elementary school to host an annual Science Fair! All students, K-5, participate in this non-competitive, but highly creative and festive event. With science funds slashed elsewhere, we love that science takes center stage at Thousand Oaks right alongside its excellent math, language arts, and arts enrichment programs and curricula. Outstanding teachers are the secret of this wonderful school. And a bonus: the campus is beautiful, the only BUSD school that is also a Berkeley park.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 14, 2010

It is doing its best to give my grandchild a great education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 3, 2009

This was my favorite school. The kids come first! My son was well taughta and taken care of there. They have a great full inclusion program.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 16, 2009

Despite budget cuts my son continues to receive music, art, gardening, and cooking class! He loves to read and loves to learn and feels part of a wider school community.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 28, 2009

This is a great school; outstanding teachers, an involved community, a truly diverse population, and a new principal who is an outstanding leader. Our daughter has been there for 4 years, and we are very happy with the education she is receiving.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 6, 2006

All 5 teachers our kids have had have been fantastic. There's a great energy at the school, with lots of parent involvement and ethnic diversity. Wonderful extracurricular programs. Love Feliz Friday, which is an assembly once a month with performances.
—Submitted by Joel Jacobs, a parent


Posted November 3, 2005

This school emphasizes a sense of community. There are many school-wide events, as well as programs meant to get kids together. Older kids are paired up with younger ones to 'buddy read,' and there are 5th grade 'junior coaches' who help the younger ones play games at recess. Both teachers that my son has had have been superb. They somehow had lesson plans which included and involved all levels of students, as well as allowing parents to participate. There is a wonderful cooking and gardening program which gets the kids excited about preparing and eating recipes made with fruits andd vegetables.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 19, 2005

Great school for English-speaking children and for non-English speakers who are integrated into regular classes. Spanish speaking students who are in a separate, K-3 bilingral program do well until 4th grade when they are integrated with the rest of the school. At that point, they struggle to keep up with the academics.
—Submitted by a staff


Posted June 29, 2005

Kids are great. 90% of teachers are great. Facility is new (not on Virginia Street--that's the Adult Education location). Afterschool program is terrific.
—Submitted by Jim Clara, a parent


Posted February 24, 2005

Awesome arts magnet, culturally enriching and great after school enrichment program.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 24, 2005

Awesome arts magnet, culturally enriching and great after school enrichment program.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 17, 2005

This is a good school where, for the most part, students learn to respect one another and to reach for the stars! There is a good music program.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 18, 2004

This is a good school, but be sure to go to the school and meet all the teachers before enrolling your child.Ask the teachers about the type of things they will be covering in the classroom so you are not confused when certain subjects not pertaining to regular school studies is brought into the classroom. Excellent location,no tolerence for hostile behaviour and they challenge the children.
—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

875

Change from
2011 to 2012

+30

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

7 / 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 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

875

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

+30

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)

7 / 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.
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 58% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
45%

2009

 
 
45%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
62%
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.

73 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
43%

2010

 
 
49%

2009

 
 
46%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

74 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
76%

2009

 
 
63%
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.

67 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
72%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

68 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
81%
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.

52 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
60%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

52 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
74%

2009

 
 
84%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

52 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
56%

2009

 
 
63%
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 Students71%
Females71%
Males71%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino58%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged50%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learner55%
Fluent-English proficient and English only80%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate36%
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)59%
Parent education - college graduate83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate87%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students81%
Females87%
Males77%
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)96%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability82%
English learner77%
Fluent-English proficient and English only83%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate82%
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)71%
Parent education - college graduate83%
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

English Language Arts

All Students65%
Females65%
Males64%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino45%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)96%
Economically disadvantaged29%
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability68%
English learner23%
Fluent-English proficient and English only73%
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)43%
Parent education - college graduate76%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students75%
Females74%
Males74%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino70%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)91%
Economically disadvantaged54%
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability78%
English learner46%
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)50%
Parent education - college graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate87%
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 Students76%
Females74%
Males79%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino63%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantaged59%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability76%
English learner63%
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)58%
Parent education - college graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students74%
Females76%
Males70%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino61%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)95%
Economically disadvantaged54%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learner69%
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)54%
Parent education - college graduate71%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate96%
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%
Females68%
Males67%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino48%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantaged39%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability70%
English learner17%
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)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students77%
Females88%
Males67%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino74%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)94%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability81%
English learner58%
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)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students65%
Females64%
Males67%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)94%
Economically disadvantaged39%
Non-economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability70%
English learner8%
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)n/a
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 34% 49%
White 28% 28%
Multiple or No Response 19% 3%
African American 13% 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 125%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 250%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 84% 85%
Urdu 4% 0%
Punjabi 3% 1%
French 2% 0%
Arabic 1% 1%
Cantonese 1% 2%
Farsi (Persian) 1% 0%
German 1% 0%
Greek 1% 0%
Hindi 1% 0%
Italian 1% 0%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 1% 1%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
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 12N/A11
Average years teaching 16N/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!

840 Colusa Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94707
Phone: (510) 644-6368

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