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GreatSchools Rating

Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 983 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 14 ratings
2011:
Based on 7 ratings
2010:
Based on 5 ratings

Teacher quality

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84 reviews of this school


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Posted January 18, 2011

Emerson is an above average public middle school with a diverse population and caring teachers. My child thinks the drama program is the best in Southern California! However the current principal is not as effective as her predecessor, and would benefit from learning how to make sure her excellent staff is appreciated, so that teachers are not taken for granted. Despite this, the school is wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 10, 2010

teachers and administration willing to try new ideas to engage students and improve the environmnet for learning
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted May 6, 2010

They have the most caring and responcible princple,teachers and staff .
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 2, 2010

Emerson has so many terrific programs: Emerson Sports Academy, MESA, drama, costume design, four students will now participate in Coca Cola's C5 Challenge until they go to college. Teachers who go the extra mile: 8th graders wrote 10,000 word novels! 6th graders visit Yosemite! And teachers who came back again - they are Emerson alumni and returned to give back! Emerson reflects the diversity of Los Angeles in its population.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 28, 2010

The school is small enough where everyone knows your name. The kids and teachers are wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 28, 2010

Emerson is a great school! My son is part of the Emerson Sports Academy and is loving it! Thanks to all the great staff for 3 great years.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 23, 2010

Emerson has a great IHP program, and is doing a fine job educating our son. He's happy and has made many new friends. The school is smaller than other local middle schools, with a great principal and many good teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 23, 2010

It is a small middle school, students are encouraged to learn the staff is caring
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 23, 2010

The leadership - Kathy Gonnella - she and the faculty truly care about the academic and personal well being of the students. Even for a large, urban, public school, Kathy and the teachers have been responsive to individual needs of students. Truly gems!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 22, 2010

Emerson has a wonderful principal, caring teachers, and a small (by LA standards) but diverse student body. Love the neighborhood too -- safe, clean, and easy to get to.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 22, 2010

My daughter is happy at Emerson and enjoys her teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 22, 2010

My daughter is in 6th grade and we are very happy with the school. The principal is wonderful and the teachers are great.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 22, 2010

Emerson is a great school. My daughter is very happy there and she loves her wonderful teachers. And the after-school program, Prime Time, is outstanding!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 22, 2010

This school has helped my nephew in all his subjects.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 22, 2010

Both my daughters are happy there, they have made many friends. The principal is a wonderful lady and educator who listens to all parents, teachers and students and there are many wonderful teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 21, 2010

Safe and sound and small and sincere!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 21, 2010

It's become a real neighborhood school again, while still retaining the diversity and intimacy that set it apart from other options.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2010

Great school! Wonderful teachers, super principal and fantastic after school program - they really care about each individual student
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 13, 2010

Because my kid is super happy. The IHP teachers are wonderful and it is part of our community
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 13, 2010

I love Emerson because my son is so happy there. I also love it because the principal is the best in the west and is always there to talk to or get information from. The parents and teachers are the best!!!
—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

754

Change from
2011 to 2012

+14

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

4 / 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 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 met all student subgroup API targets for 2012

This school's
API score

754

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

+14

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)

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 59% in 2012.

228 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
48%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
46%

2009

 
 
50%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

228 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
36%

2011

 
 
31%

2010

 
 
38%

2009

 
 
48%
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.

29 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
73%

2009

 
 
89%
English Language Arts

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

273 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
54%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
50%

2009

 
 
48%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

244 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
31%

2011

 
 
25%

2010

 
 
24%

2009

 
 
22%
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.

36 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
53%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
31%

2009

 
 
35%
English Language Arts

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

295 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
54%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
42%

2009

 
 
30%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

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

219 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
44%

2011

 
 
36%

2010

 
 
19%

2009

 
 
12%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

39 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
79%

2009

 
 
61%
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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

295 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
44%

2011

 
 
51%

2010

 
 
39%

2009

 
 
33%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

295 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
52%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
41%
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 Students48%
Females58%
Males36%
African American48%
Asian67%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino29%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)85%
Economically disadvantaged32%
Non-economically disadvantaged73%
Students with disability12%
Students with no reported disability51%
English learner7%
Fluent-English proficient and English only53%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented94%
Parent education - not a high school graduate29%
Parent education - high school graduate20%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)59%
Parent education - college graduate50%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
Parent education - declined to state40%

Math

All Students36%
Females42%
Males29%
African American25%
Asian50%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino23%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)70%
Economically disadvantaged22%
Non-economically disadvantaged58%
Students with disability12%
Students with no reported disability38%
English learner14%
Fluent-English proficient and English only39%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented77%
Parent education - not a high school graduate25%
Parent education - high school graduate5%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)41%
Parent education - college graduate35%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate74%
Parent education - declined to state32%
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 Students76%
Females68%
Malesn/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with no reported disability74%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only76%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented71%
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 state82%

English Language Arts

All Students54%
Females61%
Males48%
African American50%
Asian86%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino41%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)81%
Economically disadvantaged44%
Non-economically disadvantaged72%
Students with disability0%
Students with no reported disability61%
English learner4%
Fluent-English proficient and English only65%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented85%
Parent education - not a high school graduate43%
Parent education - high school graduate59%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)31%
Parent education - college graduate85%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate79%
Parent education - declined to state51%

Math

All Students31%
Females30%
Males32%
African American26%
Asian73%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino20%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)60%
Economically disadvantaged27%
Non-economically disadvantaged40%
Students with disability3%
Students with no reported disability35%
English learner6%
Fluent-English proficient and English only37%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented82%
Parent education - not a high school graduate24%
Parent education - high school graduate24%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)21%
Parent education - college graduate48%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate57%
Parent education - declined to state30%
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 Students53%
Females62%
Males40%
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)n/a
Economically disadvantaged50%
Non-economically disadvantaged57%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability53%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only54%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented77%
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 state47%

English Language Arts

All Students54%
Females56%
Males49%
African American45%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino45%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)70%
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disability10%
Students with no reported disability58%
English learner17%
Fluent-English proficient and English only57%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented96%
Parent education - not a high school graduate45%
Parent education - high school graduate48%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)44%
Parent education - college graduate83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate88%
Parent education - declined to state44%

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students44%
Females43%
Males45%
African American25%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino48%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)48%
Economically disadvantaged47%
Non-economically disadvantaged38%
Students with disability3%
Students with no reported disability50%
English learner21%
Fluent-English proficient and English only47%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented92%
Parent education - not a high school graduate41%
Parent education - high school graduate37%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)42%
Parent education - college graduate47%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state44%

Geometry

All Students85%
Females90%
Males79%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)95%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with no reported disability85%
Fluent-English proficient and English only87%
Gifted and talented90%
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 graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state83%

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students44%
Females46%
Males42%
African American36%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino33%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)73%
Economically disadvantaged34%
Non-economically disadvantaged59%
Students with disability7%
Students with no reported disability48%
English learner20%
Fluent-English proficient and English only47%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented86%
Parent education - not a high school graduate32%
Parent education - high school graduate45%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)26%
Parent education - college graduate76%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate88%
Parent education - declined to state35%

Science

All Students52%
Females53%
Males50%
African American41%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino42%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)73%
Economically disadvantaged40%
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disability3%
Students with no reported disability57%
English learner20%
Fluent-English proficient and English only55%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented93%
Parent education - not a high school graduate45%
Parent education - high school graduate58%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)44%
Parent education - college graduate79%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate88%
Parent education - declined to state41%
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 54% 49%
African American 22% 7%
White 16% 28%
Asian 5% 8%
Filipino 2% 3%
Multiple or No Response 1% 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 118%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 257%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 84% 85%
Farsi (Persian) 4% 0%
Korean 3% 1%
All other non-English languages 2% 1%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 2% 1%
Arabic 1% 1%
French 1% 0%
Cantonese 0% 2%
Cebuano (Visayan) 0% 0%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 0% 1%
Portuguese 0% 0%
Rumanian 0% 0%
Russian 0% 0%
Urdu 0% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 11N/A11
Average years teaching 11N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 94%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1650 Selby Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Website: Click here
Phone: (310) 234-3100

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