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Torch Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 762 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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7 reviews of this school


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Posted April 4, 2008

before torch became a 'distinguised school' last year. i was a student there and no one will of ever guessed that the school i went 4 years ago will be a 'distinguised school' thanks to the work of Mr. Medina and the teachers and the students since the students pushed hard for these to happened
—Submitted by a student


Posted February 16, 2008

Toch Middle School was awarded a California Distinguished School last year. This year, they were awarded a School to watch. It is obvious that this school is on top of things. they stress academic success, going to a 4 year university, organizational skills, and work ethic skills. Above all, my daughter and her friends really enjoy their time at school. As a matter of fact, she loves school so much that she stays there really late with her teahers to get tutored, and work on projects. Her teachers are very motivating and make learning a lot of fun. Her teachers are always available to talk regarding my daughter. I could walk in to talk to them, call them on the phone, or email them. They also have a number where I can call to check the homework assignments for that day.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 25, 2007

As a Torch Middle School student, i would like to say that being a trojan is something to be proud of. The teachers are amazing and the enviorment is a feel good one. it was an amazing experience being a trojan for 3 years. Although, some of the work was tough, i managed and now, i graduated in honors classes. The teachers pushed and encouraged us to what they knew we could achieve.
—Submitted by a student


Posted June 25, 2007

Torch an excellent school to send your kids to. I went there and have first hand experience of how exciting it is to be a part of a California Distinguished School. Its utterly amazing to see reviws putting Torch on such a highpedisdtool because i know i did my part in making that happen! So, go to Torch and have fun. Also, i would encourage everybody to join band. its awesome!
—Submitted by a student


Posted June 9, 2007

First hand experiences don't come from parents, they come from students. As one of the students, I'm an eighth grade student that attends this school and has also made an effort to making Torch become Distinguished. Programs like AVID help students become aware of their future and are like tutoring sessions to help out in different subjects. The teachers here are respectful and encouraging for you child's future. This school also provides many extracurricular activities such as DC Club, ASB, G.A.T.E., Think Together, Sports, Drama, Anime Club, Spirit Squad, and yearbook! Still, the Principal's are deciding to include more activities for the students in the future such as choir, art, and dance. The two popular electives at Torch, AVID and Band, really involve the parents cooperation. They've had previous meetings where they try to get the parents more involved with their students education by giving information of what they can do.
—Submitted by Jack, a student


Posted August 3, 2006

This school is one of the worst in california. The teachers here do not care for the future of these students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 26, 2005

The teachers at this school have been incredible. They work hard to give our children the best education. My son's teacher is great and he is learning a lot. I highly recommend this teacher to any parent.
—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

793

Change from
2011 to 2012

+37

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

4 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

5 / 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 met all student subgroup API targets for 2012

This school's
API score

793

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

+37

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)

5 / 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 59% in 2012.

248 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
57%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
42%

2009

 
 
40%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

248 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
42%

2011

 
 
41%

2010

 
 
37%

2009

 
 
43%
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 86% in 2012.

34 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
100%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
98%

2009

 
 
100%
English Language Arts

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

217 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
52%

2009

 
 
56%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

185 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
59%

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
54%

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

Algebra I

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

218 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
46%

2011

 
 
32%

2010

 
 
46%

2009

 
 
68%
English Language Arts

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

239 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
47%

2009

 
 
57%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

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

37 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
3%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
6%

2009

 
 
0%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
85%
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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

267 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
28%

2011

 
 
30%

2010

 
 
27%

2009

 
 
29%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

239 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
49%

2011

 
 
51%

2010

 
 
37%

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 Students57%
Females59%
Males56%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino57%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability58%
English learner25%
Fluent-English proficient and English only73%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented94%
Parent education - not a high school graduate46%
Parent education - high school graduate67%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduate73%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state56%

Math

All Students42%
Females39%
Males46%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino42%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged41%
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability42%
English learner21%
Fluent-English proficient and English only53%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented91%
Parent education - not a high school graduate41%
Parent education - high school graduate43%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)47%
Parent education - college graduate40%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state32%
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 Students100%
Females100%
Males100%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino100%
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged100%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with no reported disability100%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only100%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate100%
Parent education - high school graduate100%
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 Students67%
Females73%
Males58%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged79%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability66%
English learner23%
Fluent-English proficient and English only80%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate63%
Parent education - high school graduate71%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)67%
Parent education - college graduate80%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state58%

Math

All Students59%
Females59%
Males60%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino60%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged57%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability59%
English learner38%
Fluent-English proficient and English only68%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented88%
Parent education - not a high school graduate57%
Parent education - high school graduate66%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduate58%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state58%
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 Students46%
Females45%
Males48%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino46%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged46%
Non-economically disadvantaged48%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability46%
English learner7%
Fluent-English proficient and English only59%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduate46%
Parent education - high school graduate40%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)56%
Parent education - college graduate91%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state33%

English Language Arts

All Students65%
Females62%
Males68%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino65%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged62%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability65%
English learner31%
Fluent-English proficient and English only78%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate66%
Parent education - high school graduate62%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)65%
Parent education - college graduate83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state61%

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students3%
Females0%
Males6%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino0%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged3%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disability0%
Students with no reported disability5%
English learner5%
Fluent-English proficient and English only0%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate0%
Parent education - high school graduate0%
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

Geometry

All Studentsn/a
Femalesn/a
Malesn/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with no reported disabilityn/a
Fluent-English proficient and English onlyn/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

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students28%
Females26%
Males29%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino28%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged26%
Non-economically disadvantaged38%
Students with disability0%
Students with no reported disability31%
English learner5%
Fluent-English proficient and English only38%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented70%
Parent education - not a high school graduate25%
Parent education - high school graduate24%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduate40%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state20%

Science

All Students49%
Females40%
Males57%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino48%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged47%
Non-economically disadvantaged54%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability48%
English learner12%
Fluent-English proficient and English only61%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented98%
Parent education - not a high school graduate44%
Parent education - high school graduate46%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)62%
Parent education - college graduate75%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state42%
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 1% 7%
Asian 1% 8%
Filipino 1% 3%
Multiple or No Response 1% 3%
White 1% 28%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 133%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 284%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 32N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 6N/A11
Average years teaching 7N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 90%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 3%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

751 North Vineland Avenue
City of Industry, CA 91746
Phone: (626) 931-2700

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