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GreatSchools Rating

Buchanan Street Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 485 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 2 ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 3 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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12 reviews of this school


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Posted February 19, 2013

One of my favorite things about this school is the participation of PTA and teachers working together. Great school to have your kids in. Love you Buchanan.


Posted February 10, 2013

Buchanan Elementary is a great school. I have been the Magnet Coordinator at Buchanan for the past 11 years. The teachers in the main school and magnet are dedicated, hard working and caring. They work together to plan lessons and events. The PTA is active and contributes to the school. The principal encourages new ideas and supports the staff. The parents and community are supportive of the school and the teachers and staff.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted April 27, 2010

I have a Second grader who is at the top of her class, which is excellent. Because I work longer hours I can not be as attentive as I would like to be as well as invovled as I would like to be. It is awesome that I get phone calls from her teacher letting me know how she is doing in school. The principal is new this year and have yet to hear any unstaisfactory news. The programs there are fantastic and the teachers are excellent.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 20, 2010

buchanan is the best school in highland park!!!!from the teachers to there janitors


Posted March 6, 2009

I have 2 kids that attend this school for 2+ years now. Yes, the principal may seem difficult to many of us parents at times, but over all my run-ins with her seem to be at the end fair. Not what I was looking for as a resolution to the issue at hand, but fair once I took a few days to think out the entire situation. The principal, with the assitance of her school run a great program with all of the student/parent scheduled activities. All of the activities seem to get better year after year. I think over all it's a great school with caring teachers and staff (that I have had my children taught by). I must say that I am a very involved parent, I am always asking questions making sure that the school staff know who I am, this is key! Be present when ever possible.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 5, 2009

My Daughter has been there since K and will be in 2nd grade this September. I do think there are some issues with the Principal but minor. I am extremely pleased as I get updates on my daughter by phone because I work far from home and at times can not attend all functions. She is fantastic. there are issues but again no school is flawless.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 11, 2008

The principal & vice principal need to be replaced for this school to even have a chance at being run correctly. The lack of discipline toward children who bully others is shameful. There are some good teachers that if managed correctly would thrive in their positions.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 9, 2008

This school has great potential because there are some good teachers. However, the Principal is the biggest obstacle to this school ever being all that it can be.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 6, 2006

This school does not focus on the needs of the student.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 31, 2005

High level of PTA fundraising. Average quality of programing. LAUSD tend to use programs aimed at the masses, not at individuals. The pace of instruction is too fast for comprehension for most English language learners. Low level of parental involvement in the classrooms. Limited extracurricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 5, 2005

My three children attended Buchanan Street School since pre-K and began the magnet program in the second grade. The Magnet teachers are highly skilled and really motivate the kids to do well. The Magnet Program Coordinator is very helpful and involved.
—Submitted by Bertha Gascon, a parent


Posted August 17, 2004

I like the education that is being shown to students at Buchanan. The teachers do dedicate there time to there students. I see that students enjoy showing up to school. I think its a positive school and I know its going to improve more in time.
—Submitted by CAROLINA SANCHEZ, 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

782

Change from
2011 to 2012

+2

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

4 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

3 / 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

782

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

+2

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)

4 / 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)

3 / 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.

89 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
49%

2011

 
 
42%

2010

 
 
43%

2009

 
 
49%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

89 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
45%

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
42%

2009

 
 
53%
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.

75 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
42%

2011

 
 
33%

2010

 
 
28%

2009

 
 
33%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

75 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
63%
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.

67 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
52%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
60%

2009

 
 
52%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

68 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
67%

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

The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2012.

68 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
63%

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
54%

2009

 
 
45%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

69 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
52%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
54%

2009

 
 
50%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

70 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
38%
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.

38 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
47%

2011

 
 
43%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

38 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
29%

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

All Students49%
Females54%
Males44%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged48%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability52%
English learner43%
Fluent-English proficient and English only51%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate31%
Parent education - high school graduate38%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)53%
Parent education - college graduate60%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students45%
Females34%
Males54%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino42%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability48%
English learner39%
Fluent-English proficient and English only48%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate31%
Parent education - high school graduate43%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)47%
Parent education - college graduate47%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

The different student groups are identified by the California Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students42%
Females42%
Males43%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino44%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability46%
English learner18%
Fluent-English proficient and English only51%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate36%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)48%
Parent education - college graduate46%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students70%
Females74%
Males66%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino71%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged69%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability70%
English learner59%
Fluent-English proficient and English only74%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate71%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)71%
Parent education - college graduate69%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

The different student groups are identified by the California Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students52%
Females53%
Males52%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino47%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged52%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability53%
English learner24%
Fluent-English proficient and English only65%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate33%
Parent education - high school graduate50%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)58%
Parent education - college graduate67%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students61%
Females58%
Males63%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino57%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged60%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability63%
English learner43%
Fluent-English proficient and English only68%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate42%
Parent education - high school graduate61%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)68%
Parent education - college graduate69%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

The different student groups are identified by the California Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students63%
Females73%
Males52%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino62%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged63%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability64%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only72%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate62%
Parent education - high school graduate63%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)73%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students52%
Females61%
Males42%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino48%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged52%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability54%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only59%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented93%
Parent education - not a high school graduate31%
Parent education - high school graduate63%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)63%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students50%
Females54%
Males45%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino48%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged50%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability52%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only58%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented86%
Parent education - not a high school graduate23%
Parent education - high school graduate50%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)65%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

The different student groups are identified by the California Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students47%
Females61%
Males35%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged47%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability47%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only51%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate60%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)27%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students29%
Females28%
Males30%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino25%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged29%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability29%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only31%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate40%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)9%
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
Hispanic or Latino 86% 49%
Filipino 7% 3%
Asian 3% 8%
African American 2% 7%
White 2% 28%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Multiple or No Response 0% 3%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 136%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 289%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 94% 85%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 2% 1%
All other non-English languages 1% 1%
Cantonese 1% 2%
Chaozhou (Chiuchow) 1% 0%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 14N/A11
Average years teaching 15N/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

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Forrest Baird
Special schedule
  • Year-round
Fax number
  • (323) 254-9363
School leaders can update this information here.
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

5024 Buchanan Street
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Phone: (323) 255-7118

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