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GreatSchools Rating

Agua Caliente Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 732 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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12 reviews of this school


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Posted February 14, 2013

TWO OF MY KIDS WENT FOR 3 YEARS AT THIS SCHOOL AND THEY LEARND A LOT,GATE CLASE IS THE BEST, AND I MOVE THEM TO A "BETTER" SCHOOL AND THEY FORGET EVERITHING!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 29, 2012

The good first: the most important factor in education is the classroom teacher, and the ones at this school are caring. Now to the not-so-good: the school lacks direction, it lacks proper integration of technology, there is no enforcement of behavior. The school is located in a gang neighborhood. The school is very old and rundown. Good luck ever talking to the administrator, as you'll be continually referred to speak to someone else from a secretary to teacher to aide. The arts/physical education/character education/ are non-existent. The focus of this school is teaching to "the standardized test" as that is all that seems to matter. Teachers here even offer a "limo ride" for students who score perfectly on the standardized test. What message does that send? It's all about the test? Or maybe, "perfection" is what you should strive for in life? Get real, nothing is perfect and sending this message to our children is WRONG. . Now that I think about it, so is spending the entire year teaching to one test. I wouldn't send my child here if you paid me.


Posted December 27, 2010

The teachers at this school (most of them) receive 5 stars for their dedication, perseverance, and knowledge of the profession. The principal receives 3 stars - intelligent, caring, and proactive in the field of education but is deficient in enforcing behavior and the school's uniform policy. The school receives a 1 star "unsatisfactory" score because it is located in a very dangerous, gang neighborhood, the infrastructure is beyond dilapidated, and the school itself is essentially segregated - 98% hispanic and the district makes no effort at making this number more representative of the demographics of the Coachella Valley.


Posted April 27, 2010

3 of my grandchildren go here and I personally think the teachers andDr.Medina set the examples of what all schools should try to be!


Posted September 24, 2009

Agua Caliente Elementary School's mission is that 'every student be proficient' and through collaboration between staff, students, and the community they have made significant progress, every year, towards achieving this goal.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted May 21, 2009

Since my daughter starting attending Agua Caliente, I have seen her blossom. She has goals and believes that the sky is the limit to her dreams. It takes a strong educational program to promote success for all student.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 10, 2009

My children come from privlege and with the housing crisis recently we had to move to this area. I have to admit that I was frightened of this school. but much to my surprise it is fantastic. The teachers are brilliant and compassionate. My daughter had learned so much here. For what they have to work with I am impressed. Cugdos to Agua Caliente! Bravo!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 31, 2008

My son Attends here and has learned so much.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 3, 2007

While it is true that this is a mainly Hispanic group of children, office personnel are mostly bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish as needed. In the classrooms, children are taught primarily in English, unless the parent requests that their child be prompted periodically in their native language in order to facilitate learning. Also, the majority of teachers at A.C. do not speak Spanish.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted August 31, 2007

This school has teachers committed to success and a principal with a vision that all students will succeed. I understand that some of the teachers at this school even have their own children attend it.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 1, 2006

This school is primarly Hispanic and speaks spanish in the office and in the class room. My child did not know spanish and was made to feel slower than the other children who did not speak english. This school is not good for a child of a english only back round in my opinion.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 26, 2003

There is a high priority to being a 'peace builder' school. This is a great idea.
—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

765

Change from
2011 to 2012

+1

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

3 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

7 / 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

765

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

+1

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)

3 / 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)

7 / 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.

105 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
48%

2011

 
 
46%

2010

 
 
30%

2009

 
 
38%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

105 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
55%

2011

 
 
55%

2010

 
 
51%

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 48% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
21%

2011

 
 
18%

2010

 
 
30%

2009

 
 
25%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
56%

2009

 
 
64%
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.

92 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
43%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
59%

2009

 
 
46%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

92 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
55%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
68%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 California used the California Standards Tests (CSTs) to test students in English language arts in grades 2 through 11; math in grades 2 through 7; science in grades 5, 8 and 10; and history-social science in grades 8 and 11. Middle and high school students also took subject-specific CSTs in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled. The CSTs are standards-based tests, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

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

104 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
43%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
42%

2009

 
 
36%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

107 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
61%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

105 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
51%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
59%

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 Students48%
Females49%
Males48%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino47%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged47%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability52%
English learner42%
Fluent-English proficient and English only65%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate26%
Parent education - high school graduate66%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state58%

Math

All Students55%
Females53%
Males57%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino55%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged54%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability57%
English learner49%
Fluent-English proficient and English only71%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate31%
Parent education - high school graduate76%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
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 Students21%
Females19%
Males23%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino20%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged20%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability20%
English learner20%
Fluent-English proficient and English only24%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate12%
Parent education - high school graduate23%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students64%
Females52%
Males76%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability64%
English learner66%
Fluent-English proficient and English only62%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate61%
Parent education - high school graduate62%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
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 Students43%
Females51%
Males31%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino40%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability46%
English learner33%
Fluent-English proficient and English only62%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate36%
Parent education - high school graduate44%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students55%
Females58%
Males51%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino55%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability56%
English learner52%
Fluent-English proficient and English only62%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate62%
Parent education - high school graduate50%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
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 Students43%
Females53%
Males31%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged44%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability45%
English learner19%
Fluent-English proficient and English only64%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate34%
Parent education - high school graduate53%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)46%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students65%
Females71%
Males58%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino66%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability67%
English learner56%
Fluent-English proficient and English only74%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate53%
Parent education - high school graduate74%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)77%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students51%
Females55%
Males47%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino52%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged52%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability52%
English learner29%
Fluent-English proficient and English only71%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate57%
Parent education - high school graduate46%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)69%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
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 95% 49%
African American 2% 7%
Filipino 2% 3%
White 1% 28%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Asian 0% 8%
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 160%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 290%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 100% 85%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

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 15N/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

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Lucy Medina
Special schedule
  • Year-round
Fax number
  • (760) 416-8245
School leaders can update this information here.
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

30-800 San Luis Rey Plaza
Cathedral City, CA 92234
Website: Click here
Phone: (760) 416-8235

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