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GreatSchools Rating

Ralph A. Gates Elementary School

Charter | K-6 | 975 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 7 ratings

Teacher quality

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Parent involvement

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15 reviews of this school


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Posted October 13, 2012

My son is in 2nd grade and is doing really, really well in the Spanish Immersion Program. The teachers use effective methods to educate the children. In addition, the parent involvement in the school activities is impressive. My husband and I made the right choice when we picked Ralph A. Gates Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 12, 2012

Love the two-way immersion program that this school offers. They have been doing the Spanish immersion program for a very long time so they understand what works and what doesn't. The teachers all seem very dedicated and because of the special program at the school I feel like the parents are more involved and connected. The principal does have an unapprochable look to her but everytime I need anything or have had an issue she is on top of it.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 7, 2011

The two way language immersion program at this school is unbelievable! The principal, along with many teachers have their own children attending here, so there is an incredible amount of support and accountability. You will experience a "private school" feel because of the amazing parent involvement. My nine year-old is completely fluent in Spanish and is an A student in both languages. She sounds like a native speaker and more importantly she has an appreciation for the other cultures that we come across in Orange County. While the state is taking out the music and art from our schools, we have an awesome opportunity to add the gift of language into our students' lives.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 13, 2010

The immersion program seems good. However I'm not agree with the way how to treat students in this school. When I went to visit to the school, I saw some staffs screaming horrible at students over loudspeaker during recess and lunch time.


Posted September 18, 2010

This is a fantastic school with an incredible immersion program. The teachers are passionate and committed to seeing each child succeed. The principal is supportive of the students and parents. We cannot say enough good things about Gates!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 17, 2010

My kids are also in the immersion program which is the only reason I stay in the school. This program has some wonderful and skilled teachers, but there are an equal number who are not up to the task. The principal is unapproachable, defensive and frequently unprofessional; the grounds are dirty; the over-all tone is un-welcoming. The parents who are involved are fantastic, but few in number.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 25, 2010

Great teachers and a wonderful principal! Any parent that is involved with our school knows exactly how great it is and how lucky we are to have our kids involved in such a great immersion program!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 25, 2010

"Great school with amazing teachers and the most involved parents I have ever met" - I couldn't have said it better myself! I am very happy with the school and the progress my daughter is making in the immersion program.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 13, 2010

HORRIBLE PRINCIPAL...HORRIBLE. My daughter has been in this school for 6 years and the environment is a very punitive, disrespectful one where kids are not allowed to be kids. I am taking my daughter out of the IMMERSION Program and the school next year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 29, 2010

Great school with amazing teachers and the most involved parents I have ever met. Not to mention the amazing immersion program that has made my kids bilingual.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 3, 2009

Ralph A. Gates Elementary School is a 5 star school. I live in Laguna Niguel and I travel 25 minutes just to get my kids to school. A total of 1 1/2 of driving a day and it is worth it! My children are in the Spanish Immersion Program and come from a family that does not speak Spanish. This program not only wonderful and amazing but it really does work! My children are now bilinguel and we are tickled pink! Last summer break, we traveled to La Paz in Baja California, Mexico, and my children were checking us in the hotel, talking to the taxi cab drivers, ordering our food in the resturants, asking for directions, speaking Spanish in stores and snorkling trips! My husband and I do not speak Spanish and we were not only relieved but surprised and proud of our children. Thank you Gates Elementary!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 28, 2008

My sister attended Gates in the immersion program to then graduate from Mater Dei High School (one of the best private schools in the country). Gates has a great immersion program that teaches Spanish alongside their usual English. Its a public school yet is one of the most well known in the stateU.S. (California Distinguished) The immersion program, which has a waiting list that parents apply for up to a yr before the child even starts kindergarten (which is where they begin the lingual prog.) in order to even have a chance of getting in soon, guarantees the student's bilingual by 3rd grade!!!. My sister read her own book (1 Fish, 2Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish in Eng & Span!) before her kinderYear was 1/2over and is now fluent in Spanish, yet still has no problems with English and she's only turning six October this year08. I highly recommend!!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 6, 2008

Gates Elementary School offers an exceptional program in Spanish Immersion. Our entire family reaps the benefits from the opportunities available in this program. We have developed life-long friendships and a tremendous network of support for our kids.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 29, 2007

The Spanish Immersion Program offered at this school is the best in the county!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 15, 2006

Absolutely love the immersion program!!! It's amazing how the kids just pick it up! I think it is the best marketable skill you could give your child....a second language!
—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

838

Change from
2011 to 2012

+10

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

6 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

6 / 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

838

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

+10

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)

6 / 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)

6 / 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.

124 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
42%

2011

 
 
51%

2010

 
 
49%

2009

 
 
47%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

124 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
68%
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.

141 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
44%

2011

 
 
49%

2010

 
 
41%

2009

 
 
40%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

142 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
68%
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.

116 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
66%

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
58%

2009

 
 
61%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

118 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
72%
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.

126 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
55%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

127 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
66%

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
60%

2009

 
 
56%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

126 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
49%

2009

 
 
66%
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

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
67%

2009

 
 
45%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

109 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
66%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
43%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 California used the California Standards Tests (CSTs) to test students in English language arts in grades 2 through 11; math in grades 2 through 7; science in grades 5, 8 and 10; and history-social science in grades 8 and 11. Middle and high school students also took subject-specific CSTs in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled. The CSTs are standards-based tests, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students42%
Females41%
Males43%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino37%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)58%
Economically disadvantaged34%
Non-economically disadvantaged53%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability42%
English learner36%
Fluent-English proficient and English only52%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate26%
Parent education - high school graduate37%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)37%
Parent education - college graduate56%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate61%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students70%
Females66%
Males74%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged57%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability71%
English learner59%
Fluent-English proficient and English only87%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate43%
Parent education - high school graduate70%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)67%
Parent education - college graduate80%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate87%
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 Students44%
Females41%
Males46%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino37%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantaged24%
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability43%
English learner25%
Fluent-English proficient and English only80%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate19%
Parent education - high school graduate24%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduate61%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate82%
Parent education - declined to state27%

Math

All Students70%
Females64%
Males75%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino65%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)95%
Economically disadvantaged57%
Non-economically disadvantaged94%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability69%
English learner58%
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate55%
Parent education - high school graduate52%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)69%
Parent education - college graduate89%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate89%
Parent education - declined to state73%
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 Students66%
Females72%
Males60%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino56%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability68%
English learner49%
Fluent-English proficient and English only84%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate44%
Parent education - high school graduate55%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate79%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate85%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students69%
Females71%
Males66%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino60%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)94%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability70%
English learner54%
Fluent-English proficient and English only84%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate41%
Parent education - high school graduate62%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate83%
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 Students80%
Females79%
Males81%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino73%
White (not Hispanic)97%
Economically disadvantaged74%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability81%
English learner63%
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate64%
Parent education - high school graduate71%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)74%
Parent education - college graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students66%
Females65%
Males65%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino54%
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability66%
English learner42%
Fluent-English proficient and English only84%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate54%
Parent education - high school graduate42%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)58%
Parent education - college graduate69%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students74%
Females68%
Males81%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino65%
White (not Hispanic)97%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learner48%
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate57%
Parent education - high school graduate63%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)74%
Parent education - college graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
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 Students67%
Females72%
Males61%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino62%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)84%
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantaged84%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability68%
English learner40%
Fluent-English proficient and English only87%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate48%
Parent education - high school graduate63%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)75%
Parent education - college graduate72%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate83%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students66%
Females71%
Males60%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino57%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged52%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disability42%
Students with no reported disability69%
English learner38%
Fluent-English proficient and English only87%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate46%
Parent education - high school graduate41%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)70%
Parent education - college graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate89%
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
Hispanic or Latino 70% 49%
White 18% 28%
Multiple or No Response 5% 3%
African American 2% 7%
Asian 2% 8%
Filipino 2% 3%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 152%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 247%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) 1% 1%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
Armenian 0% 1%
Farsi (Persian) 0% 0%
Punjabi 0% 1%
Russian 0% 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 10N/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!

23882 Landisview Avenue
Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: Click here
Phone: (949) 837-2260

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