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GreatSchools Rating

Sunny Sands Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 989 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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5 reviews of this school


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Posted April 1, 2009

Sunny Sands teachers and students work hard together to improve daily. This school is the best in Cathedral City!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 15, 2007

I have been an active parent at Sunny Sands for the past 6 years. I have two daughters who attend SS with the eldest having graduated this year. I believe that the community and parents are very fortunate to have supportive leadership and staff at hand. The principal is very cognizant of the needs of not only the staff but of the students. She is also very approachable, consistent in her decisions, and well liked by everyone. Overall, the school is well maintained and organized, which keeps morale high. I am very pleased that my family has had the opportunity of being part of Sunny Sands Elementary School!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 4, 2005

We have 2 children who attend this school. We have found both the teachers and the administrators very supportive and helpful. The teachers put the children's needs first and education for all children is very important to all the teachers. They have a great program for second language learners.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 4, 2005

SS is a wonderful school - safe, caring & dedicated staff (teachers, principals, secretaries, custodians are all fabulous), great music and pe classes, no art tho. SS has nice kids & provides a solid educational foundation.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 19, 2005

Our child is mildly Autistic and enrolled in the primary grades 1-3 special day class at Sunny Sands. This is the special education class for children with disabilities. We are very happy with the progress our child has made and very pleased with the education and other services he is being provided at this school. It appears that he has many resources available to him (physical education, art, music and computers)and the teacher is doing a remarkable job. A good school makes all the difference, especially for a child with a disability. Sunny Sands is a great school for our Autistic child.
—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

836

Change from
2011 to 2012

-10

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

7 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

10 / 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

836

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

-10

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)

10 / 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.

182 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
53%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

182 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
59%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
65%

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 48% in 2012.

139 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
42%

2011

 
 
46%

2010

 
 
45%

2009

 
 
44%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

141 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
75%

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 67% in 2012.

153 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
65%

2009

 
 
67%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

154 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
79%
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.

154 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
66%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
52%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

158 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
65%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

154 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
52%
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 Students56%
Females58%
Males54%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino50%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)67%
Economically disadvantaged50%
Non-economically disadvantaged77%
Students with disability21%
Students with no reported disability58%
English learner50%
Fluent-English proficient and English only64%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate50%
Parent education - high school graduate49%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)70%
Parent education - college graduate69%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state47%

Math

All Students59%
Females54%
Males63%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino54%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)67%
Economically disadvantaged52%
Non-economically disadvantaged85%
Students with disability21%
Students with no reported disability62%
English learner55%
Fluent-English proficient and English only65%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate45%
Parent education - high school graduate55%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)73%
Parent education - college graduate77%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state47%
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 Students42%
Females46%
Males38%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino38%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)65%
Economically disadvantaged39%
Non-economically disadvantaged55%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability43%
English learner33%
Fluent-English proficient and English only54%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate31%
Parent education - high school graduate45%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)48%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state21%

Math

All Students71%
Females68%
Males74%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino71%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)78%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability73%
English learner65%
Fluent-English proficient and English only80%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate75%
Parent education - high school graduate62%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)85%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state50%
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 Students71%
Females77%
Males66%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino65%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)95%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability73%
English learner56%
Fluent-English proficient and English only86%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate70%
Parent education - high school graduate65%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)79%
Parent education - college graduate85%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state68%

Math

All Students81%
Females85%
Males77%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino76%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantaged79%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability80%
English learner68%
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate76%
Parent education - high school graduate82%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)93%
Parent education - college graduate85%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state73%
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 Students71%
Females76%
Males67%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipino67%
Hispanic or Latino69%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged69%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability71%
English learner44%
Fluent-English proficient and English only85%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate63%
Parent education - high school graduate70%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)77%
Parent education - college graduate71%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state68%

Math

All Students76%
Females79%
Males72%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipino78%
Hispanic or Latino74%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)82%
Economically disadvantaged74%
Non-economically disadvantaged85%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability77%
English learner62%
Fluent-English proficient and English only83%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate79%
Parent education - high school graduate72%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)81%
Parent education - college graduate82%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state65%

Science

All Students76%
Females80%
Males71%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipino72%
Hispanic or Latino73%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)94%
Economically disadvantaged72%
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability75%
English learner56%
Fluent-English proficient and English only86%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate71%
Parent education - high school graduate66%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)87%
Parent education - college graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state74%
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 77% 49%
White 13% 28%
Filipino 6% 3%
Asian 2% 8%
African American 1% 7%
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 144%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 270%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 95% 85%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 3% 1%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
Arabic 0% 1%
Cantonese 0% 2%
Ilocano 0% 0%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 22N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 15N/A11
Average years teaching 18N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 100%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Pam Horton
Special schedule
  • Year-round
Fax number
  • (760) 770-8641
School leaders can update this information here.
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

69-310 McCallum Way
Cathedral City, CA 92234
Phone: (760) 770-8635

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