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GreatSchools Rating

Hicks Canyon Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 1018 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 2 ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 2 ratings
2010:
Based on 3 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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15 reviews of this school


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Posted February 6, 2013

While the teachers are great, the extreme parent involvement is annoying, especially during the talent shows where real talent is always sidelined to pick the children of volunteering parents. It's nice that these ladies use their time productively, but if they didn't use it as an opportunity to push their children ahead of others, it will be great.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 29, 2013

Since the principal changed from a very caring principal to a somehow strict principal changed the school's whole attitude from cheery and fun to a very dreary day of hope. I have been going to this school when I was very little and I was a very "fan" of the old principal. Now, I see my little brothers and sisters going to this school, and sometimes they come with lots of complains. The principal is very strict no matter what but this is the school where kids could look forward to their future. I probably think the new principal acts this way is that because she used to be the GATE principal. GATE stands for Gifted And Talented Education. The students should come home with fun joy instead of complaints about their school in my opinion.


Posted March 23, 2012

We had moved to Irvine so our daughter could attend Hicks Canyon and I have to say that it has been a terrible experience. The principal is not caring at all and the security on campus is really scary. There isn't anyone supervising the school. When the children are at recess there is no one watching them. There is not even a cross walk lady to walk the kids down busy Central Park Rd. I have tried to address these issues but nobody cares at this school. It is so disappointing.I really thought that it would be a great experience according to Great Schools. The administration is awful, they do not like to help people. They act like they are annoyed and underpaid.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 15, 2011

Very dissapointing school year. The 4th grade teachers did not compare to the previous years. They are petty and difficult to communicate with. The Principal is a phony and her true colors come out with the slighest conflict.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 3, 2011

Our son goes there and we're very happy there so far. Teachers are very much involved and so are the parents. All around good school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 1, 2010

My family continues to be impressed with Hicks Canyon. We enrolled our son later in the year in Kindergarten and I was a little worried at first that he would have a hard time adjusting to the new environment. He hasn't had any problems and comes home so happy every day. His teacher, Ms. Cahalan is wonderful. She is very kind and nurturing and I couldn't be happier.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 17, 2009

Fantastic School! Prinicipal gets involved and cares. Out with kids at lunch or break and plays basketball and handball with children..... entire staff responsive and caring towards kids. Love it!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 11, 2009

Excellent teachers. They have been caring and responsive to children's individual needs. The principal is down to earth and does a wonderful job. I couldn't be happier.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 15, 2009

Best school. Never seen such a wonderful principal.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 13, 2009

it is awesome i am a kid there my self and the teachers are enegetic and they are all mice and the younger kids have some great prgrams
—Submitted by a student


Posted October 2, 2008

We couldn't ask for more! The best principal, great teachers and an awesome PTO and with parent participation make this school one of the best anywhere! Our teachers really care and it shows in scores and how advanced the students are in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, Art, Music and nice kids!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 16, 2007

Excellent school with caring teachers, principal and highly parents' participation.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 19, 2006

Hicks Canyon is an awesome school! Many families move to our area just so their children can attend this school! Hicks has a new prinicpal who is very excited about the future of the school and we are very excited to have him! The teachers are careing and patient with the children and assist them with important educaitonal and personal goals as well. They have a great Art Masters program that allows for kids to learn of our great artists. The parent involvement is very strong. We have dedicated parents that are excited to be involved! Who could ask for more! This school rocks!
—Submitted by Jennifer Withers, a parent


Posted May 26, 2006

Great school in a good location. Teachers are friendly. After school care (Child Development Center) needs improve quite a lot though. My child is in 3rd grade.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 6, 2006

Great school due to high parent involvement and awesome teachers. The teachers at each grade level had a math, reading, and science night where the parents had the opportunity to experience how each subject is taught and also received great tip on how to help students at home! 2nd grade 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

935

Change from
2011 to 2012

-9

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

2 / 10


API Growth scores over time

Did this school meet the API goal this year?
The state goal for API is 800. All schools that are below 800 are assigned an API improvement target each year.
  • This school met the state goal of 800.

API Growth scores by subgroup

In addition to schoolwide API scores, each student subgroup receives an API score.
Did this school meet all the API goals for student subgroups this year?
The state goal for the API is 800. All the student subgroups at a school that are below 800 are assigned an API improvement target each year.
  • This school met all student subgroup API targets for 2012

This school's
API score

935

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

-9

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)

10 / 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)

2 / 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.

211 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
85%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

211 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
88%
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.

177 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
81%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

178 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
91%
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.

166 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
89%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

166 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
95%
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.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
83%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
90%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
86%
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 Students81%
Females83%
Males79%
African American36%
Asian89%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino61%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)81%
Economically disadvantaged46%
Non-economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disability50%
Students with no reported disability83%
English learner77%
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)58%
Parent education - college graduate75%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students85%
Females86%
Males84%
African American45%
Asian93%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino61%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged54%
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disability44%
Students with no reported disability89%
English learner86%
Fluent-English proficient and English only86%
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)58%
Parent education - college graduate86%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
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 Students81%
Females80%
Males81%
African Americann/a
Asian89%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino53%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)79%
Economically disadvantaged48%
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability81%
English learner52%
Fluent-English proficient and English only87%
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)31%
Parent education - college graduate83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate90%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students92%
Females95%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asian98%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino73%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantaged74%
Non-economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability92%
English learner76%
Fluent-English proficient and English only95%
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)69%
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate98%
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 Students91%
Females96%
Males85%
African Americann/a
Asian95%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)91%
Economically disadvantaged82%
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability92%
English learner81%
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
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)75%
Parent education - college graduate90%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students92%
Females93%
Males91%
African Americann/a
Asian98%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged82%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability94%
English learner95%
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
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)75%
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate98%
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 Studentsn/a
Femalesn/a
Malesn/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disabilityn/a
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English onlyn/a
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

Math

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

Science

All Studentsn/a
Femalesn/a
Malesn/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disabilityn/a
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English onlyn/a
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
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
Asian 46% 8%
White 34% 28%
Hispanic or Latino 7% 49%
Multiple or No Response 7% 3%
Filipino 3% 3%
African American 2% 7%
Pacific Islander 1% 1%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 121%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 26%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
Korean 36% 1%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 16% 1%
Spanish 10% 85%
Farsi (Persian) 8% 0%
Vietnamese 5% 2%
Cantonese 4% 2%
Japanese 4% 0%
Arabic 3% 1%
French 3% 0%
All other non-English languages 2% 1%
Gujarati 2% 0%
Pashto 2% 0%
German 1% 0%
Hebrew 1% 0%
Indonesian 1% 0%
Russian 1% 0%
Turkish 1% 0%
Urdu 1% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 23N/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 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!

3817 Viewpark
Irvine, CA 92602
Website: Click here
Phone: (714) 734-1878

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