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Teacher quality
Principal leadership
Parent involvement
What I like most about James A Whitaker School is the family atmosphere. The teachers, office staff & their principal demonstrate a tremendous amount of care for the students & their families. Its evident in all the ways they make learning possible and their commitment to helping the students beyond their academics. Everyone takes a deep interest in the students & their families by providing opportunities for self-development, parental training, safety & even by helping families get food when its needed. Thank You & Keep Up the Good Work!! We truly appreciate your sincere efforts!!
My two boys attend this school and we love it! My boys are challenged every day and their teachers are kind and compassionate. One of my boys even attends a small reading group for extra help, while the other child attends an enrichment class to provide him with more challenging concepts. They really evaluate every student and help all kids reach their potential!
—Submitted by a parent
Teachers are wonderful. They are very dedicated to their students.
—Submitted by a parent
i think its a great school.They have many teacher teaching a grade.Also i might add they have fun activitys for the kids
—Submitted by a parent
Very satisfied with the shcool,Teacher Quality and the Extracurricular Activities! Go Whitaker Sharks!!
—Submitted by a parent
This is a great school! I recommend Miss. Doucette for any sixth grade student. She knows the real meaning of school and does an excellent job of teaching!
—Submitted by a student
Whitaker power! Ask us about it. We are helping students to build their skills in academics, and citizenship. I love working at Whitaker because it's about the kids, and building them up to face the world.
—Submitted by a teacher
The principal is really involved with the children at this school. She rewards good behavior and treats them with respect. I love the fact that they have so many programs to increase reading levels including the kindergarten book bag program. The children enjoy reading their books in their bag every week.
—Submitted by a parent
Whitaker school is all about the student. The administration and teachers truly care about kids. Mrs. Hay is the best principal. She takes the time to know her students and their families. Assistant Principal, Mr. Santiago, grew up in Buena Park and knows that students need more than just a good teacher. They need to know that someone cares about them as people. All students at Whitaker school not only learn, but love to learn. Teachers constantly challenge their students to go above and beyond the required skills, and the children respond. This is a school that inspires life long learning. All children attending Whitaker are fortunate to be part of such a caring and dedicated 'family.'
—Submitted by a parent
My kids teachers are very excllent in teaching my kids in learning and they encourage that they can do better in what they do and acheive. They look out for each child as a individual. The teachers and the principal are excelent to lisnting to the parents suggestion to help the child. I say about Ms.Mellano, Ms.Kang and Ms kertella I have a lot of assoiation with. Congrads to these people.
—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.
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 API reflects year-over-year schools performance based on STAR test score results from spring 2012.
The state average for English Language Arts was 58% in 2012.
92 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
2011
2010
2009
The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.
92 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
2011
2010
2009
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
The state average for English Language Arts was 48% in 2012.
92 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
2011
2010
2009
The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.
93 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
2011
2010
2009
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
The state average for English Language Arts was 67% in 2012.
90 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
2011
2010
2009
The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.
90 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
2011
2010
2009
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
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2012.
93 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
2011
2010
2009
The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.
93 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
2011
2010
2009
The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.
93 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
2011
2010
2009
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
The state average for English Language Arts was 59% in 2012.
87 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
2011
2010
2009
The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.
88 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
2011
2010
2009
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
| All Students | 41% |
| Females | 40% |
| Males | 42% |
| African American | n/a |
| Asian | n/a |
| Filipino | n/a |
| Hispanic or Latino | 39% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | n/a |
| Pacific Islander | n/a |
| Other Pacific Islander | n/a |
| White (not Hispanic) | n/a |
| Economically disadvantaged | 37% |
| Non-economically disadvantaged | 58% |
| Students with disability | n/a |
| Students with no reported disability | 45% |
| English learner | 41% |
| Fluent-English proficient and English only | 42% |
| Migrant education | n/a |
| Gifted and talented | n/a |
| Parent education - not a high school graduate | 30% |
| Parent education - high school graduate | 39% |
| Parent education - some college (includes AA degree) | 43% |
| Parent education - college graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - graduate school/post graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - declined to state | 44% |
| All Students | 35% |
| Females | 29% |
| Males | 40% |
| African American | n/a |
| Asian | n/a |
| Filipino | n/a |
| Hispanic or Latino | 32% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | n/a |
| Pacific Islander | n/a |
| Other Pacific Islander | n/a |
| White (not Hispanic) | n/a |
| Economically disadvantaged | 30% |
| Non-economically disadvantaged | 53% |
| Students with disability | n/a |
| Students with no reported disability | 38% |
| English learner | 33% |
| Fluent-English proficient and English only | 39% |
| Migrant education | n/a |
| Gifted and talented | n/a |
| Parent education - not a high school graduate | 22% |
| Parent education - high school graduate | 22% |
| Parent education - some college (includes AA degree) | 57% |
| Parent education - college graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - graduate school/post graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - declined to state | 31% |
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
| All Students | 36% |
| Females | 38% |
| Males | 34% |
| African American | n/a |
| Asian | n/a |
| Filipino | n/a |
| Hispanic or Latino | 32% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | n/a |
| Pacific Islander | n/a |
| White (not Hispanic) | n/a |
| Economically disadvantaged | 38% |
| Non-economically disadvantaged | 26% |
| Students with disability | n/a |
| Students with no reported disability | 37% |
| English learner | 38% |
| Fluent-English proficient and English only | 35% |
| Migrant education | n/a |
| Gifted and talented | n/a |
| Parent education - not a high school graduate | 30% |
| Parent education - high school graduate | 40% |
| Parent education - some college (includes AA degree) | 47% |
| Parent education - college graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - graduate school/post graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - declined to state | 32% |
| All Students | 47% |
| Females | 46% |
| Males | 48% |
| African American | n/a |
| Asian | n/a |
| Filipino | n/a |
| Hispanic or Latino | 41% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | n/a |
| Pacific Islander | n/a |
| White (not Hispanic) | n/a |
| Economically disadvantaged | 47% |
| Non-economically disadvantaged | 47% |
| Students with disability | n/a |
| Students with no reported disability | 51% |
| English learner | 43% |
| Fluent-English proficient and English only | 53% |
| Migrant education | n/a |
| Gifted and talented | n/a |
| Parent education - not a high school graduate | 38% |
| Parent education - high school graduate | 60% |
| Parent education - some college (includes AA degree) | 58% |
| Parent education - college graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - graduate school/post graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - declined to state | 32% |
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
| All Students | 56% |
| Females | 55% |
| Males | 57% |
| African American | n/a |
| Asian | n/a |
| Filipino | n/a |
| Hispanic or Latino | 51% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | n/a |
| Pacific Islander | n/a |
| White (not Hispanic) | n/a |
| Economically disadvantaged | 54% |
| Non-economically disadvantaged | n/a |
| Students with disability | n/a |
| Students with no reported disability | 55% |
| English learner | 50% |
| Fluent-English proficient and English only | 64% |
| Migrant education | n/a |
| Gifted and talented | n/a |
| Parent education - not a high school graduate | 48% |
| Parent education - high school graduate | 50% |
| Parent education - some college (includes AA degree) | 64% |
| Parent education - college graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - graduate school/post graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - declined to state | 69% |
| All Students | 67% |
| Females | 59% |
| Males | 74% |
| African American | n/a |
| Asian | n/a |
| Filipino | n/a |
| Hispanic or Latino | 64% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | n/a |
| Pacific Islander | n/a |
| White (not Hispanic) | n/a |
| Economically disadvantaged | 65% |
| Non-economically disadvantaged | n/a |
| Students with disability | n/a |
| Students with no reported disability | 66% |
| English learner | 70% |
| Fluent-English proficient and English only | 61% |
| Migrant education | n/a |
| Gifted and talented | n/a |
| Parent education - not a high school graduate | 56% |
| Parent education - high school graduate | 64% |
| Parent education - some college (includes AA degree) | 71% |
| Parent education - college graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - graduate school/post graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - declined to state | 69% |
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
| All Students | 54% |
| Females | 55% |
| Males | 52% |
| African American | n/a |
| Asian | n/a |
| Filipino | n/a |
| Hispanic or Latino | 46% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | n/a |
| Pacific Islander | n/a |
| Samoan | n/a |
| White (not Hispanic) | n/a |
| Economically disadvantaged | 49% |
| Non-economically disadvantaged | 80% |
| Students with disability | n/a |
| Students with no reported disability | 55% |
| English learner | 38% |
| Fluent-English proficient and English only | 67% |
| Migrant education | n/a |
| Gifted and talented | n/a |
| Parent education - not a high school graduate | 32% |
| Parent education - high school graduate | 67% |
| Parent education - some college (includes AA degree) | n/a |
| Parent education - college graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - graduate school/post graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - declined to state | 47% |
| All Students | 66% |
| Females | 68% |
| Males | 65% |
| African American | n/a |
| Asian | n/a |
| Filipino | n/a |
| Hispanic or Latino | 66% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | n/a |
| Pacific Islander | n/a |
| Samoan | n/a |
| White (not Hispanic) | n/a |
| Economically disadvantaged | 68% |
| Non-economically disadvantaged | 60% |
| Students with disability | n/a |
| Students with no reported disability | 69% |
| English learner | 60% |
| Fluent-English proficient and English only | 73% |
| Migrant education | n/a |
| Gifted and talented | n/a |
| Parent education - not a high school graduate | 57% |
| Parent education - high school graduate | 70% |
| Parent education - some college (includes AA degree) | n/a |
| Parent education - college graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - graduate school/post graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - declined to state | 71% |
| All Students | 43% |
| Females | 43% |
| Males | 43% |
| African American | n/a |
| Asian | n/a |
| Filipino | n/a |
| Hispanic or Latino | 37% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | n/a |
| Pacific Islander | n/a |
| Samoan | n/a |
| White (not Hispanic) | n/a |
| Economically disadvantaged | 44% |
| Non-economically disadvantaged | 40% |
| Students with disability | n/a |
| Students with no reported disability | 45% |
| English learner | 31% |
| Fluent-English proficient and English only | 53% |
| Migrant education | n/a |
| Gifted and talented | n/a |
| Parent education - not a high school graduate | 36% |
| Parent education - high school graduate | 43% |
| Parent education - some college (includes AA degree) | n/a |
| Parent education - college graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - graduate school/post graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - declined to state | 41% |
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
| All Students | 65% |
| Females | 77% |
| Males | 53% |
| African American | n/a |
| Asian | n/a |
| Filipino | n/a |
| Hispanic or Latino | 63% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | n/a |
| Pacific Islander | n/a |
| Samoan | n/a |
| Other Pacific Islander | n/a |
| White (not Hispanic) | n/a |
| Economically disadvantaged | 63% |
| Non-economically disadvantaged | 76% |
| Students with disability | n/a |
| Students with no reported disability | 67% |
| English learner | 42% |
| Fluent-English proficient and English only | 85% |
| Migrant education | n/a |
| Gifted and talented | n/a |
| Parent education - not a high school graduate | 61% |
| Parent education - high school graduate | 59% |
| Parent education - some college (includes AA degree) | 73% |
| Parent education - college graduate | 82% |
| Parent education - graduate school/post graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - declined to state | 54% |
| All Students | 65% |
| Females | 73% |
| Males | 57% |
| African American | n/a |
| Asian | n/a |
| Filipino | n/a |
| Hispanic or Latino | 62% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | n/a |
| Pacific Islander | n/a |
| Samoan | n/a |
| Other Pacific Islander | n/a |
| White (not Hispanic) | n/a |
| Economically disadvantaged | 62% |
| Non-economically disadvantaged | 76% |
| Students with disability | n/a |
| Students with no reported disability | 65% |
| English learner | 49% |
| Fluent-English proficient and English only | 79% |
| Migrant education | n/a |
| Gifted and talented | n/a |
| Parent education - not a high school graduate | 50% |
| Parent education - high school graduate | 50% |
| Parent education - some college (includes AA degree) | 80% |
| Parent education - college graduate | 82% |
| Parent education - graduate school/post graduate | n/a |
| Parent education - declined to state | 77% |
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
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 »
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
All students
Female
Male
All students
Hispanic or Latino
All students
Economically disadvantaged
Non-economically disadvantaged
Students with no reported disability
English learner
Fluent-English proficient and English only
Parent education - not a high school graduate
Parent education - high school graduate
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)
Parent education - college graduate
Parent education - declined to state
All students
| Ethnicity | This school | State average | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 70% | 49% | ||
| White | 9% | 28% | ||
| African American | 6% | 7% | ||
| Multiple or No Response | 6% | 3% | ||
| Asian | 5% | 8% | ||
| Filipino | 3% | 3% | ||
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 1% | 1% | ||
| Pacific Islander | 1% | 1% |
| This school | District average | State average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| English language learners 1 | 53% | N/A | 24% |
| Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 2 | 77% | N/A | 52% |
| Language | This school | State average | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish | 86% | 85% | ||
| Korean | 5% | 1% | ||
| Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) | 3% | 1% | ||
| Vietnamese | 2% | 2% | ||
| Arabic | 1% | 1% | ||
| Gujarati | 1% | 0% | ||
| Punjabi | 1% | 1% | ||
| All other non-English languages | 0% | 1% | ||
| Bengali | 0% | 0% | ||
| Khmer (Cambodian) | 0% | 0% | ||
| Portuguese | 0% | 0% | ||
| Urdu | 0% | 0% |
| This school | District average | State average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average years teaching in district | 10 | N/A | 11 |
| Average years teaching | 11 | N/A | 13 |
| This school | District average | State average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full credential | 100% | N/A | 96% |
| Emergency credential or waiver | 3% | N/A | 2% |
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8401 Montana Street
Buena Park,
CA 90621
Phone: (714) 521-9770
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