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GreatSchools Rating

El Descanso Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 462 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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10 reviews of this school


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Posted March 16, 2013

I started volunteering at El Descanso last year when my grandson was in kindergarten. He has had a great experience there, with fantastic teachers. He loves school and can already read anything you give him. The teachers at El Descanso are dedicated, talented, caring, and experienced, as are the principal and staff. I highly recommend this school!


Posted August 31, 2012

My Daughter attended Kindergarten there teacher was so so nothing that we were excited about or my daughter. I do have to say that there are major communication issues with the front desk and the clerical staff. This is our second year were my child's registration was done incorrectly. We drove over today to see what class she was in and again she was not listed the same thing happened to her last year. Funny thing is we got the letter from the teacher and class list. They never said sorry but she was able to attend, they ruined her first day of kindergarten. I was sooo frustrated and angry that this is happening again! I emailed the superintendent about the situation so lets see if she even responds. Now I have to waste time again in Tuesday to get this corrected!!!! My husband and I are seriously thinking of moving to east camarillo just to get her out of that so called school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 2, 2009

When I moved to Camarillo, the school in our boundary was full. Based on several factors (other adults opinions), El Descanso was my last choice of an alternate school within Camarillo, but was the only elem. school that had room. However, I can tell you, both my children are extremely happy there. They enjoy their classmates, the teachers are very caring and the office staff has always been very helpful, competent and caring. The first day after I picked them up, my older child stated it 'was the best day of her life'! They continue to love it there and are constantly learning. Before moving here, they attended a Blue Ribbon & CA Distinguished school. I wanted the same for them when I moved here, and they are receiving an excellent education in a wonderful environment and I won't hesitate to tell anyone that El Descanso delivers that to my children!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 29, 2008

My children came to el descanso in the middle of the school year in 2007, and they have been nothing but great. My son was having trouble reading and now that is not a factor anymore and my daughter recieved student of the month. I feel like el descanso is a great school, no school is perfect.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 1, 2008

It's time for an updated review. My daughter has been at EDS k-4. She has had a variety of 'teaching styles' . This variety has peeked her learning, it keeps things fresh and gives her something to look forward to with each year. We have a new principal since the negative comments were made about Mrs. Sigler (whom I think was firm, but great) Mr. Winters has his very own style. I see him around the campus A LOT, which I love. The kids adore him! He is also very approachable and makes himself available to parents as well as students. We were given the option to change to Los Primeros (another great school I'm sure) but we wouldn't think of leaving. EDS is GREAT!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 5, 2007

I think this is a great school. The teachers are wonderful and caring. The office staff are wonderful. No complaints
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 28, 2005

Great school! Look foprward to the coming years for ny other children.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 4, 2005

I am the parent of children who have attended this school and also attended in LAUSD. El Descanso puts a high priority on giving their students the best. I have been very pleased with El Descanso and its staff. I know that they work hard to provide a high level of education and security for my children.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 14, 2005

The principal is not easy to work with. The teachers are great. Too bad more of them can not be on the play grounds during lunch.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 13, 2004

El Descanso is a wonderful school. My daughter has attended there for 2 years now and has had great teachers both years. Her principal Mrs. Sigler is really kind but firm with the children and has her priorities in the right order. Before my daughter attended this school, I saw the lower test scores and it really made me hesitate at first. Then I thought that I should at least give it a chance and I am really glad that I did. I can't say enough good things about the school, I feel very blessed.
—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

782

Change from
2011 to 2012

-5

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

4 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

1 / 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 did not meet its schoolwide API target for 2012.
  • This school has not yet 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

782

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

-5

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)

4 / 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)

1 / 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.

63 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
40%

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
64%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

63 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
45%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
56%

2009

 
 
75%
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

 
 
44%

2011

 
 
32%

2010

 
 
28%

2009

 
 
44%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

75 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
56%

2009

 
 
66%
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.

61 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
65%

2009

 
 
65%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

64 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
42%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
66%

2009

 
 
53%
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.

62 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
52%

2009

 
 
53%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

64 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
60%

2009

 
 
47%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

63 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
55%

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
53%
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 Students40%
Females50%
Males32%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino21%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)58%
Economically disadvantaged28%
Non-economically disadvantaged64%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability40%
English learner35%
Fluent-English proficient and English only44%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate27%
Parent education - high school graduate46%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)28%
Parent education - college graduate67%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students45%
Females46%
Males44%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino24%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)74%
Economically disadvantaged36%
Non-economically disadvantaged64%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability46%
English learner35%
Fluent-English proficient and English only53%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate27%
Parent education - high school graduate38%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)47%
Parent education - college graduate67%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
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 Students44%
Females50%
Males38%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino35%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)55%
Economically disadvantaged37%
Non-economically disadvantaged52%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability44%
English learner33%
Fluent-English proficient and English only47%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate58%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)39%
Parent education - college graduate38%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state50%

Math

All Students70%
Females67%
Males72%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino66%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)77%
Economically disadvantaged63%
Non-economically disadvantaged77%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability71%
English learner74%
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 graduate85%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)54%
Parent education - college graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state75%
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%
Females67%
Males65%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino61%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)71%
Economically disadvantaged58%
Non-economically disadvantaged73%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability68%
English learner20%
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)79%
Parent education - college graduate67%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state55%

Math

All Students42%
Females37%
Males47%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino32%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)56%
Economically disadvantaged30%
Non-economically disadvantaged55%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability44%
English learner6%
Fluent-English proficient and English only55%
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 graduate47%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state25%
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 Students61%
Females60%
Males63%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino63%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)52%
Economically disadvantaged48%
Non-economically disadvantaged71%
Students with disability27%
Students with no reported disability69%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only67%
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)76%
Parent education - college graduate76%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students50%
Females43%
Males56%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino42%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)50%
Economically disadvantaged31%
Non-economically disadvantaged66%
Students with disability8%
Students with no reported disability61%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only53%
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)61%
Parent education - college graduate76%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students55%
Females48%
Males62%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino47%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)64%
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantaged66%
Students with disability33%
Students with no reported disability61%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only60%
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 graduate82%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
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 48% 49%
White 38% 28%
African American 6% 7%
Asian 5% 8%
Filipino 4% 3%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Multiple or No Response 0% 3%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 123%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 246%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 21N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 11N/A11
Average years teaching 13N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 97%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1099 North Bedford Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
Website: Click here
Phone: (805) 482-1954

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