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GreatSchools Rating

Thurston Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 683 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 2 ratings
2010:
No new ratings

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13 reviews of this school


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Posted November 2, 2011

This is the best school anyone can ever go to! I encourage everyone to go there!


Posted May 6, 2011

My son transferred to Thurston from Newport-Mesa School District last year and the difference is night and day. LBUSD is amazing and Thurston is a prime example. The facilities and teachers are top notch and they don't have any of the ridiculous "policies" or petty bureaucratic tyrants that plague many schools. My son loves it and is doing much better than he ever has. As soon as you set foot on this campus and meet the staff you'll be sold, but you won't really know how good it is until school starts. It's really an idyllic school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 16, 2010

This District has one middle school, budge reserves, highly paid teachers, affluent families, a private fundraising 'Schoolpower' donating over $200,000 year --- why aren't we scoring higher?
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 30, 2009

Thurston is the best! the teachers are encouraging and helpful. Love Dr. Culverhouse
—Submitted by a student


Posted October 18, 2008

My daughter has been at Thurston for three years and is now doing better academically than she ever has. She loves school and has terrific teachers; the teachers and administrators make it fun and exciting to come to school. This is important at an age when a lot of kids lose interest in school. Dr. Joanne Culverhouse has assembled a team that makes the kids feel cared for and part of something worthy. She has endless energy and enthusiasm and is always available. We're very happy at Thurston.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 5, 2008

this is a cool school I go here and like it Dr. Culverhouse is a great principle.
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 14, 2007

5 star. Principal takes her responsibilities seriously and goes beyond to make the kids feel welcomed and safe.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 29, 2007

I couldn't think of a better school to send my son. I always make a point of bragging about it to anyone willing to listen. I nominate Dr. Joanne Culverhouse as the Principal of the Year!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 11, 2006

Due to an incredible amount of community support, extracurricular activites are abundant and mostly free. This school has the best Principal in the district. We were fortunate to also have her at El Morro. Public schools don't get any better than this.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 23, 2005

Awesome school, Mr. Purdy rocks!
—Submitted by a former student


Posted January 25, 2004

My daughter has benefitted from being here. She has and has had wonderful teachers who not only teach, but have made learing fun for her. My daughter is pulling a 4.0 and is very proud of herself. She does study hard, but it is a testament to her teachers as well. They demand respect and at least from my daughter, they get it. I am impressed with the encouragement she gets from her teachers. I will happily send my other daughter to Thurston next year, without hesitation.
—Submitted by Nancy Epstein, a parent


Posted January 24, 2004

Good teachers, generally educated (if over-indulgent) parents. Pretty good curriculum, excellent facilities. This is the hardest age to teach, and Thurston does a good job.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 10, 2003

The reasons for punshiments are ridiculous: feeding the goats that come by the school, accidentally tripping on the steps, and playing Duck, Duck, Goose are just a few 'reasons' that are used.
—Submitted by a former student


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

944

Change from
2011 to 2012

+9

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

9 / 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

944

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)

9 / 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.

242 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
81%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

241 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
76%

2009

 
 
83%
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.

37 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
100%

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
100%
English Language Arts

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

223 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
82%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

182 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
67%
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.

154 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
74%
English Language Arts

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

229 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
72%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

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

50 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
40%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

29 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
100%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
100%
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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

239 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
69%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

228 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
97%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
82%
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 Students88%
Females93%
Males84%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino78%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantaged80%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disability81%
Students with no reported disability89%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented97%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)79%
Parent education - college graduate90%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students84%
Females87%
Males82%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino72%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)86%
Economically disadvantaged69%
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disability69%
Students with no reported disability86%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only86%
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)71%
Parent education - college graduate87%
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

Algebra I

All Students100%
Females100%
Males100%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged100%
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students90%
Females93%
Males87%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino82%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged78%
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disability50%
Students with no reported disability92%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only90%
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)79%
Parent education - college graduate89%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate96%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students83%
Females79%
Males88%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)85%
Economically disadvantaged69%
Non-economically disadvantaged85%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability85%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only84%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate64%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)70%
Parent education - college graduate81%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate96%
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

Algebra I

All Students89%
Females87%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantaged92%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability88%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only88%
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)n/a
Parent education - college graduate81%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students88%
Females88%
Males88%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantaged78%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability89%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only88%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate73%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)77%
Parent education - college graduate85%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students75%
Females95%
Males59%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)85%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged78%
Students with disability50%
Students with no reported disability83%
English learnern/a
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)91%
Parent education - college graduate89%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Geometry

All Students100%
Femalesn/a
Males100%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged100%
Students with no reported disability100%
Fluent-English proficient and English only100%
Gifted and talented100%
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 graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students89%
Females92%
Males88%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino53%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged76%
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disability56%
Students with no reported disability93%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only91%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate73%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)91%
Parent education - college graduate91%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students97%
Females97%
Males97%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino79%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)98%
Economically disadvantaged95%
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability97%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only97%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate91%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)100%
Parent education - college graduate97%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate97%
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 84% 28%
Hispanic or Latino 8% 49%
Asian 3% 8%
Multiple or No Response 3% 3%
African American 1% 7%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Filipino 0% 3%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 11%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 27%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 90% 85%
Russian 10% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 26N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 11N/A11
Average years teaching 14N/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!

2100 Park Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: Click here
Phone: (949) 497-7785

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