Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

La Paloma Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 620 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

Rate this school

Click on stars to rate
Please select a star rating for this school.
    Helpful reviews answer questions:
  • What do you think others should know?
  • What do you like?
  • How could your school improve?
    Review Guidelines
    GreatSchools won’t post reviews that contain:
  • Inappropriate language
  • Allegations of criminal conduct
  • Names of students, teachers or staff
1200 characters remaining
Please indicate your relationship to the school.
Please read and accept our Terms of Use to join GreatSchools.
Indicates a required field

7 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted May 30, 2009

A great deal of emphasis is but on bilingual education at La Paloma. Class size is enormous. My child's teacher has been excellent and gone above and beyond but most of the teachers don't put in as much effort--the teacher's union regulates everything in the favor of teachers not students. The administration is easy to work with and knows educational law to include special education law. Classroom behavior at this school is well maintained. Special education classes often don't push kids to meet standards.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 18, 2008

The teachers at La Paloma are nice, friendly, well trained, and are working hard to meet the demands of a high ESL student body, large classroom size amidst budget cuts. The principal and vice-principal are always available for questions. I appreciate the campus being clean and safe. I can see that the school is well ran, and morale is high. Since La Paloma is an older school, it does not come across as impressive as a newer school, and some parents are too quick to make judgement. I am a parent volunteer here and I wish that every parent would spend some time here to see for themselves. Thank you Teachers for all your hard work!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 29, 2008

This school is sad. The teachers my child had were nice but they had to spend much of their time coping with ESL students. The prinicapl directed all of her comments to ESL parents on back to school night. She had no interest in the other student body. The school is about 75% non-English speaking.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 5, 2007

There are music and art programs at La Paloma. In fact La Paloma led the way in having an art teacher (PTA provided but not a volunteer) on campus. All students recieve art and music instruction. Administration is excellent, with a highly motivated and capable principal and staff. Some of the best teachers in San Diego are at this school. The campus isn't the newest or the prettiest, but don't judge this book by it's cover.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 20, 2007

There are too many problems children that it makes it hard for the teachers to decifer whether the child is misbehaving or really needs assistance. There eager to give disciplinary measures leaving the children to feel that it doesn't make a difference if they misbehave or not because they are always doing something wrong.They lack in their comendation and support. My sons test scores have dropped because he didn't get the help he needed.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 11, 2006

Gate Program opportunities are available, but mostly extracurricular. Level of challenge is mediocre, but teacher motivation seems high. Administration is responsive to concerns regarding education, however, safety issues continue to be a problem. Fencing would help! There are no music or art programs within this school. Volunteers and teachers combine efforts to expose the children to the arts, but the extracurricular programs are severely limited - even the GATE programs. If it weren't for parent volunteers, there really would be nothing extra for these kids; the teachers do the best they can. I suppose it's time to move, though this is where we thought we would be raising our children! God bless and good luck!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 24, 2004

La Paloma School is one of the Best Middle Schools in the Fallbrook area. Class size is well managed and is maintained under 30. Teachers are always available to help any student before or after school if the extra help is needed. As a parent I found that all my questions where always answered in a timely maner. Teachers work together to make sure students are helped in the area most needed. Keep up the great Work La Paloma Elementary School staff.
—Submitted by Lucila Nehlen, 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

792

Change from
2011 to 2012

-13

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

5 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

8 / 10


API Growth scores over time

Did this school meet the API goal this year?
The state goal for API is 800. All schools that are below 800 are assigned an API improvement target each year.
  • This school did not meet its schoolwide API target for 2012.
  • This school has not yet met the state goal of 800.

API Growth scores by subgroup

In addition to schoolwide API scores, each student subgroup receives an API score.
Did this school meet all the API goals for student subgroups this year?
The state goal for the API is 800. All the student subgroups at a school that are below 800 are assigned an API improvement target each year.
  • This school did not meet all student subgroup API targets for 2012

This school's
API score

792

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

-13

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)

5 / 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)

8 / 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.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
37%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
44%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/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.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 48% in 2012.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
38%

2011

 
 
43%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/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.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 67% in 2012.

99 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
50%

2009

 
 
47%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
51%
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.

97 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
55%

2010

 
 
47%

2009

 
 
44%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
50%

2009

 
 
38%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

97 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
39%
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.

107 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
65%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

106 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
65%

2009

 
 
57%
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 Students37%
Females36%
Males38%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino26%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)56%
Economically disadvantaged29%
Non-economically disadvantaged57%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability37%
English learner19%
Fluent-English proficient and English only57%
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)45%
Parent education - college graduate29%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate18%
Parent education - declined to state38%

Math

All Students44%
Females34%
Males54%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino37%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)63%
Economically disadvantaged40%
Non-economically disadvantaged54%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability45%
English learner26%
Fluent-English proficient and English only64%
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)65%
Parent education - college graduate38%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate23%
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

English Language Arts

All Students38%
Females39%
Males36%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino22%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)68%
Economically disadvantaged24%
Non-economically disadvantaged70%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability37%
English learner17%
Fluent-English proficient and English only57%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate75%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduate26%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate15%
Parent education - declined to state45%

Math

All Students62%
Females69%
Males56%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino50%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantaged51%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability63%
English learner47%
Fluent-English proficient and English only77%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate77%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)65%
Parent education - college graduate53%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate55%
Parent education - declined to state82%
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%
Males64%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino53%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged57%
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability66%
English learner32%
Fluent-English proficient and English only84%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate69%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)82%
Parent education - college graduate68%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate44%
Parent education - declined to state56%

Math

All Students61%
Females59%
Males63%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino50%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)85%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Non-economically disadvantaged73%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability61%
English learner32%
Fluent-English proficient and English only78%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate69%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)87%
Parent education - college graduate57%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate33%
Parent education - declined to state56%
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 Students60%
Females60%
Males60%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino56%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)71%
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability61%
English learner36%
Fluent-English proficient and English only78%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)72%
Parent education - college graduate50%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate58%
Parent education - declined to state50%

Math

All Students50%
Females44%
Males55%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino47%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)65%
Economically disadvantaged51%
Non-economically disadvantaged48%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability50%
English learner31%
Fluent-English proficient and English only65%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented91%
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 graduate50%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate42%
Parent education - declined to state46%

Science

All Students68%
Females57%
Males76%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino63%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantaged63%
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability68%
English learner38%
Fluent-English proficient and English only91%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)78%
Parent education - college graduate69%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate58%
Parent education - declined to state64%
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 Latino55%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)86%
Economically disadvantaged59%
Non-economically disadvantaged78%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability66%
English learner35%
Fluent-English proficient and English only83%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented96%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate88%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)72%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate52%
Parent education - declined to state47%

Math

All Students68%
Females71%
Males64%
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)86%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged75%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability71%
English learner54%
Fluent-English proficient and English only77%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate82%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)67%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate65%
Parent education - declined to state60%
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 68% 49%
White 26% 28%
Filipino 2% 3%
African American 1% 7%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1% 1%
Multiple or No Response 1% 3%
Pacific Islander 1% 1%
Asian 0% 8%
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 278%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 97% 85%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 3% 1%
All other non-English languages 0% 1%
Russian 0% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 11N/A11
Average years teaching 13N/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!

300 Heald Lane
Fallbrook, CA 92028
Website: Click here
Phone: (760) 731-4220

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare

Nearby schools

ADVERTISEMENT