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GreatSchools Rating

Sylvan Middle School

Public | 7-8 | 538 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 2 ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 4 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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15 reviews of this school


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Posted March 31, 2013

this is the worst school i could have sent my child to. when i went to sylvan the teachers talked the parents and cared for the students now im referred to a website that is never updated. i know teachers dont make much money but they choose their cereer path and they should follow through and help our kids. strait A's to F's what a sad school
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 31, 2013

my son was a honor role student his whole school career until he started at sylvan and now we are lucky he brings home a D. this is the worst school for middle schoolers in the area.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 17, 2012

ThIs school is not bad at all they have increase the safety and the teachers great dont listen to the bad comments they were wriiten years ago it has changed alot and its getting redone soon. also i'm in avid and its helping a lot with grades and help with homework i would recommend this school to anyone


Posted February 5, 2011

I am a student attending Sylvan Middle School, and I must say it is doing a fine job in teaching me not only the subject of that class, but other important life lessons as well. I can guarantee my own safety and I am certain that I will leave Sylvan knowing I can have a bright future. The principal is not a nice man however.


Posted December 29, 2010

i am a student at sylvan middle school and i can tell you that this is a great school. I wasn't so sure about it at first, but then I felt very welcome by all the teachers. I am a 4.0, straight-a student and i am also in AVID and HA classes. I do not feel any uncertainty about my safety. If your child is not getting good grades at sylvan, then send them to the counseler, Ms.Nancy. She is a very nice lady who helps you and guides you to success. I would definetely recommend your child/children to go to this school.


Posted March 11, 2010

Despite the new principal - Sylvan remains an unsafe school and an unlikely place for your child to get a good education. There is very little parent involvement. Judging from the class of students - it is not surprising. The parents don't care and it is reflected in their kids. If you can manage to get a kid through this school with a decent education and no battle scars - it would be a miracle. The overgrown vegetation at the back is a magnet for inappropriate sexual behavior and drug use on campus. Despite being notified of this - they rely on the District to cut down the bushes. Needless to say - the San Juan District is a complete failure. If you can send your kid anywhere else - do so.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 14, 2009

Sylvan Middle School has committed teachers that have been teaching at Sylvan for many many years. The are truly dedicated to making sure each child makes the most of his/her education. The principal, Mr. Banks, is a wonderful new addition to the staff who has made it his mission to improve the standard of education at Sylvan Middle School despite the State budget and funding. Sylvan staff work together with parents to ensure each child gets the attention and resources they need to be successful. I truly enjoy being a part of the Sylvan Middle School family.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 19, 2008

I have a daughter in the HA and AVID programs at Sylvan. We love this school. Her teachers are enthusiastic about teaching and very helpful when a parent has questions. I believe that having a positive school experience starts in the home...if a parent is focused and excited about their child's education, then the child will be too.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 25, 2007

Sylvan is an excellant school. The staff at Syvan are very helpful. You get a fast and friendly response if you have a question regarding you son/daughter. The teachers are also wonderful, very focused on your child. I would recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 23, 2007

Sylvan is and excellent school. This is my fourth year with a child at Sylvan and I am very happy. I feel my children are very safe when they are there, there are not Sherriffs there all the time. I have never had a problem with contacting the staff at Sylvan. I have called, emailed, and walked in and I have always got an imediate responce.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 31, 2006

I love this school and I would never want it to be gone . I want my kids to go here and I wish it wouldn't go down in 2009. I love this school. I never will hate it the only thing is the subsists should respect the students. I love this school so much.
—Submitted by kathy green, a parent


Posted August 31, 2006

I removed my son from Sylvan and put him in a charter school Safety and complete lack of response from the staff when his grades started slipping and when his safety was uncertain. I have two other children and no way will I put them in this school. I will homeschool them or charter school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 29, 2004

I attended the open house this fall and found this school to have a young teacher base which can be good and bad. Not a lot of experience, but very enthusiastic.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 12, 2004

My son goes to Sylvan and I have to state my extreme displeasure with the school. In 2 years the staff has never responded to any of my requests for PTC, even though my son went from a GPA of 4.1 and Intermediate Bachlaureate candidate to almost failing 7th grade. Not once did anyone return my contact attempts. It is a shame because Sylvan was an outstanding school when we went there. I cannot wait for the school year to end and get him out. I have heard similar responses from other parents in my community. It seems as if the student doesn't matter unless they are outstanding academically or a severe behavior problem, then they get noticed and paid attention to. Others, like my son who do the work and don't cause problems, just float through without much notice. Sylvan should seriously revamp the current failing academic program.
—Submitted by Laurie Sherman, a parent


Posted March 16, 2004

My 8th grade daughtor goes to sylvan. I am vary unhappy with the school. There are sherriffs there all the time. They do not have the childrens safety into consideration. They dont help the children when they need homework help. they are rated in the bottom of the acidemic profile. my daughtor has been scared to go to school. My complaints/concerns have not been heard; they just dont care at all. It took 3 months for the counclers to call me back about concerns I had about my child. I wood never send or refer any parent to put their child in this school.
—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

759

Change from
2011 to 2012

+8

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

4 / 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 met 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

759

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

+8

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)

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.
Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 86% in 2012.

15 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
94%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
84%
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 62% in 2012.

179 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
54%

2011

 
 
49%

2010

 
 
45%

2009

 
 
48%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

164 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
40%

2011

 
 
36%

2010

 
 
47%

2009

 
 
41%
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

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 49% in 2012.

74 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
44%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
50%

2009

 
 
29%
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 59% in 2012.

222 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
37%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

The state average for General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards) was 32% in 2012.

140 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
38%

2011

 
 
42%

2010

 
 
41%

2009

 
 
27%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

25 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
82%
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

The state average for History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative was 52% in 2012.

243 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
41%

2011

 
 
42%

2010

 
 
41%

2009

 
 
44%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

217 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
58%
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

Algebra I

All Students94%
Females100%
Malesn/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with no reported disability93%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only93%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students54%
Females52%
Males56%
African American47%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino47%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)57%
Economically disadvantaged48%
Non-economically disadvantaged66%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability56%
English learner6%
Fluent-English proficient and English only58%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate29%
Parent education - high school graduate67%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)57%
Parent education - college graduate66%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state45%

Math

All Students40%
Females32%
Males48%
African American25%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino31%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)46%
Economically disadvantaged38%
Non-economically disadvantaged45%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability41%
English learner20%
Fluent-English proficient and English only42%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate21%
Parent education - high school graduate46%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduate46%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state33%
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

Algebra I

All Students44%
Females46%
Males43%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino22%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)49%
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantaged46%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability44%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only45%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate60%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)39%
Parent education - college graduate45%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state27%

English Language Arts

All Students58%
Females65%
Males52%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)62%
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantaged64%
Students with disability31%
Students with no reported disability60%
English learner8%
Fluent-English proficient and English only62%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate53%
Parent education - high school graduate56%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)71%
Parent education - college graduate59%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state47%

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students38%
Females33%
Males43%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino23%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)44%
Economically disadvantaged39%
Non-economically disadvantaged35%
Students with disability7%
Students with no reported disability46%
English learner7%
Fluent-English proficient and English only42%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate32%
Parent education - high school graduate51%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduate28%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state20%

Geometry

All Students84%
Females75%
Males92%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)82%
Economically disadvantaged75%
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with no reported disability84%
Fluent-English proficient and English only84%
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students41%
Females38%
Males44%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino20%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)46%
Economically disadvantaged34%
Non-economically disadvantaged55%
Students with disability8%
Students with no reported disability46%
English learner6%
Fluent-English proficient and English only43%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate21%
Parent education - high school graduate35%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)61%
Parent education - college graduate55%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state31%

Science

All Students70%
Females65%
Males77%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino53%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)75%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability72%
English learner25%
Fluent-English proficient and English only74%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate33%
Parent education - high school graduate71%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)78%
Parent education - college graduate80%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state70%
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
White 66% 28%
Hispanic or Latino 20% 49%
African American 6% 7%
Filipino 3% 3%
American Indian or Alaska Native 2% 1%
Asian 2% 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 16%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 255%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 48% 85%
Ukrainian 15% 0%
Armenian 7% 1%
Rumanian 7% 0%
Russian 7% 0%
Hungarian 4% 0%
Ilocano 4% 0%
Mien (Yao) 4% 0%
Punjabi 4% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 27N/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 11N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 96%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

7137 Auburn Boulevard
Citrus Heights, CA 95610
Phone: (916) 971-7873

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