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GreatSchools Rating

California Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 409 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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10 reviews of this school


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Posted March 9, 2012

My siblings go to this school and seem to love it, and I did too when I was there. The teachers and great, and so is the majority of the others who work/volunteer there. The only complaint I hear quite frequently is about the office staff. The woman in the front office never smiles, and is rather rude to parents and children, including myself. It's like the grinch reincarnated into a woman! Also, the janitor always seemed to be lazy, if I remember correctly. Other than these two, the school is fantastic, learning is exciting, and opportunity is endless.


Posted June 3, 2008

parents, teacher, and staff are wonderful
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 3, 2008

Teachers are great!!!!!!1
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 11, 2007

Both of my daughters attend this school and we have had a great experience. Most of the teachers tend to be patient and wonderful with the children. The PTA goes above and beyond my expectations. And the Principle, Kellie Smith is very sincere and kind. I only wish the Middle School, Tewinkle, had as great reviews!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 31, 2007

California is a phenominal school. Teachers who care, a principal who really is your pal, parents who want nothing more than an outstanding community, and students who are eager and excited for school! The desire of our parents, teachers, and staff to provide a well rounded education from technology to fine arts, from physical education to moral and character development, and least we forget the fundamentals - make for a stellar school and school experience. We certainly are one phenominal Distinguished School!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 25, 2006

California has been a great experience for my daughter and myself. It is very small and intimate with a wonderful staff and a wide variety of extra programs. The PTA goes above and beyond their call to provide an even better experience for all.
—Submitted by Gretchen Hill, a parent


Posted February 6, 2005

Programs are wonderful. Safe environment. Parents are involved in their kids education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 3, 2005

I believe with direction 'No Child left behind' our teacher are missing the bigger picture. It is more important to the teachers that our children get 100% they will cut there work load in half. For example: I want my child to study 20 spelling words and maybe miss 3. (17 correct). Our teacher would prefer our children study only 10 words so they will get 100%. Someone please tell me, how this is best for our kids.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 10, 2004

I am not sure what I think about California Elementry yet. I have not had very good luck with the teachers yet. It seems they make judgements that don't fit my kids. I am trying to work within the system so we will see how it works. The other parents are great and very active.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 19, 2003

My family recently moved here from out of state. We couldnt be happier with the education our children received and the spectacular attention they were given by the teachers and staff. Coming from a state with a reputation for great schools, we were apprehensive about where and how our kids would fit in. The education levels were on par but I found this school to be much more organized and parent friendly.


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

839

Change from
2011 to 2012

+6

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

7 / 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 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

839

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

+6

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)

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 58% in 2012.

62 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
46%

2009

 
 
52%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

62 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
66%

2010

 
 
52%

2009

 
 
56%
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.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
45%

2010

 
 
44%

2009

 
 
60%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
77%
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.

43 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
73%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

43 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
61%
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.

49 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
76%

2009

 
 
66%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

50 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
54%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
49%

2009

 
 
49%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

49 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
63%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
60%
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 59% in 2012.

53 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
65%

2009

 
 
76%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

52 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
66%

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

All Students65%
Females62%
Males67%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino45%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)79%
Economically disadvantaged47%
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability69%
English learner23%
Fluent-English proficient and English only76%
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)56%
Parent education - college graduate71%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students58%
Females50%
Males64%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino45%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)63%
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantaged71%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability60%
English learner38%
Fluent-English proficient and English only63%
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)44%
Parent education - college graduate67%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate80%
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 Students62%
Females57%
Males67%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino58%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)62%
Economically disadvantaged46%
Non-economically disadvantaged74%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability64%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only69%
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)60%
Parent education - college graduate75%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate67%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students82%
Females82%
Males83%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino74%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged71%
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability84%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only88%
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)80%
Parent education - college graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
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 Students77%
Females77%
Males76%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino50%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)91%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged94%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability79%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only85%
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)71%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students72%
Females68%
Males76%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino44%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)87%
Economically disadvantaged58%
Non-economically disadvantaged94%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
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)71%
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 Students64%
Females65%
Males62%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino37%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantaged79%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability66%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only82%
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)71%
Parent education - college graduate81%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students54%
Females57%
Males52%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino37%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)68%
Economically disadvantaged40%
Non-economically disadvantaged66%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability57%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only69%
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)57%
Parent education - college graduate76%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students63%
Females57%
Males69%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino32%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged40%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability64%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only82%
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)71%
Parent education - college graduate88%
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 Students74%
Females63%
Males83%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino74%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)73%
Economically disadvantaged66%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
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)60%
Parent education - college graduate76%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students58%
Females38%
Males75%
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)69%
Economically disadvantaged47%
Non-economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability60%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only62%
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)47%
Parent education - college graduate69%
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
White 54% 28%
Hispanic or Latino 36% 49%
Asian 5% 8%
Filipino 2% 3%
African American 1% 7%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1% 1%
Multiple or No Response 1% 3%
Pacific Islander 1% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 116%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 241%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 88% 85%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 5% 1%
Thai 3% 0%
All other non-English languages 2% 1%
Bengali 2% 0%
Vietnamese 2% 2%
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 8N/A11
Average years teaching 9N/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
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

3232 California Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Website: Click here
Phone: (714) 424-7940

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