Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

Palms Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 1699 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 8 ratings
2011:
Based on 7 ratings
2010:
Based on 3 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

Rate this school

Click on stars to rate
Please select a star rating for this school.
    Helpful reviews answer questions:
  • What do you think others should know?
  • What do you like?
  • How could your school improve?
    Review Guidelines
    GreatSchools won’t post reviews that contain:
  • Inappropriate language
  • Allegations of criminal conduct
  • Names of students, teachers or staff
1200 characters remaining
Please indicate your relationship to the school.
Please read and accept our Terms of Use to join GreatSchools.
Indicates a required field

94 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted February 11, 2010

I am a proud student of Palms Middle School.This school has many great and friendly teachers and staff.Amazing electives for students and great education.This school teaches a student a lot!!
—Submitted by a student


Posted November 4, 2009

My older child went to Palms; my son is there now (both in the magnet). The academic program is very strong, teachers and admins are dedicated, there are nice kids, and the parent group is very active. My daughter is at at a public high school with a very rigorous academic program, and I know that Palms prepared her well. Is it perfect? No. But I've compared notes with other parents on Revere, Webster, and LACES, and I have absolutely no regrets about choosing Palms.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 30, 2009

well im going to 8th grade and palms is a great school some teachers are very strict and set you straight while others are like your friend and make u feel comfortable and welcome palms has the smartest kids ive met and there all very welcoming ive been there since 6th grade and sixth grade was great teachers welcome u and teach u how to ..be in middle school :)
—Submitted by a student


Posted June 3, 2009

Palms Middle Scool is the best school in the District because most of the 8th grade students scored high in state tests and as a student of Palms I think you should send your child there.
—Submitted by a student


Posted April 29, 2009

At the moment I am a freshman in high school. I have to say that Palms Middle School really did prepare me well. Not only are the teachers great, but the people that go there are so much fun! The years that I spent at Palms are definately the most memorable ones.
—Submitted by a student


Posted April 3, 2009

Well i am a 6th grader going there right now and i believe it is a wonderfull school. I always feel myself there and know that I can be my best academicly.
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 22, 2008

Well last year i was a student at palms middle school and i have to say its one of the best schools ever. I always felt very safe on campus and the teachers were always there to help. I do miss palms middle school alot like many other students. I highly recomend that you go to palms middle school and you will have the best years of your life.
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 13, 2008

I attended Palms and was part of the Class of 2006. I had the best years of my life at this school and I miss it very much. Many students from the class of 2006 feel the same way. The counselors are amazing and the teachers are helpful and determined. There's nothing wrong with public school so why not go to Palms Middle School?
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 1, 2008

My child is in the magnet program at Palms MS, and all I can say is, that I could not make a better choice. We've got accepted to few other charter schools, but after meeting with the teachers and the principal at Palms, we knew where to send our son. We are very pleased with this school and more important, my son is happy.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 12, 2008

Please ignore the 1 star reviewer before me. Notate the 'several years ago'. In fact MOST schools were below average at that time. As far as my review, I am VERY impressed with the teachers, principal, counselors, security and the demand for high academic achievement within a supportive atmosphere. My kids are in the gifted program, and we went out of district to send them to Palms. Even the General Ed kids have the bar set higher (More than I can say about a lot of schools were all they care about are the gifted students). By the way, my brother went to Palms eons ago...he graduated from Columbia University with a Law degree. There you go...How's that for a review?
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 24, 2008

My child went there several years ago and the experiences was painful not just for her, but both of us. The kids were rude, the staff were ill-trained to handle the slightest problems. Really, the school was everything it shouldn't be. Worst school ever.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 19, 2008

Having a 6th and 8th grader in Palms Middle School, I continue to be very impressed with the dedication, enthousiasm and warmth of all staffmembers involved with the curriculum, extra tutoring and any special attention they get. CL
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 14, 2008

So far, so good. Our child is a new 6th grader and seems to be growing nicely in the Palms environment.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 19, 2008

Excellent 6th grade program! My niece loves it! Diverse, challenging, no student with parental support can go wrong here!


Posted September 5, 2008

Palms Middle School is a great! My son has been very happy here for the last two years. He is an 8th grader this year and I expect a good year! My daughter is starting the 6th grade this year so I now have two kids here and am very happy about it. Thanks Palms!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 27, 2008

I go to Palms Now. And this summer I am Going to 7th. Palms is Such great school. It can get boring sometimes but the concerts ad the dances are wonderful. Its so fun and great that kids cant wait to go back. This summer, everyone was so excited to go back. The teachers are great. And the counselors are the best.
—Submitted by a student


Posted June 21, 2008

I went to Palms Middle School for my 6th,7th,& 8th grade year. Palms is the best middle school there is. There is no other school ever that would top Palms. The teachers are great, and nice and are always willing to help you with anything extra. The activities Palms had are amazing. The school is not diverse. Its just the perfect school ever
—Submitted by a student


Posted April 3, 2008

i am a sixth grade here at palms and this is so much better than i thought it would be. if any parents are looking for a good school for their child with great academics and lots of friends, you should really look into palms.
—Submitted by a student


Posted April 1, 2008

Palms is a great school. It's teachers have helped my daugher in many ways. My daughert strarted in special education and is gratuating this year as a straight a student on regular classes. Thank you Palms and all its teachers specialy Ms Wetzel
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 19, 2008

My child has learned a great amount at this school.
—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

873

Change from
2011 to 2012

+16

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

8 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

8 / 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

873

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

+16

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)

8 / 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)

8 / 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.

534 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
70%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

534 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
66%

2009

 
 
65%
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.

126 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
97%
English Language Arts

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

585 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
71%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

459 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
53%

2009

 
 
56%
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.

252 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
63%
English Language Arts

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

541 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
59%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

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

190 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
35%

2011

 
 
36%

2010

 
 
37%

2009

 
 
29%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

104 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
97%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
n/a
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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

547 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
55%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

541 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
69%
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 Students75%
Females78%
Males71%
African American71%
Asian90%
Filipino88%
Hispanic or Latino63%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantaged66%
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disability28%
Students with no reported disability77%
English learner13%
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented96%
Parent education - not a high school graduate50%
Parent education - high school graduate75%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)66%
Parent education - college graduate81%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
Parent education - declined to state71%

Math

All Students69%
Females70%
Males69%
African American60%
Asian94%
Filipino75%
Hispanic or Latino58%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)84%
Economically disadvantaged61%
Non-economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disability32%
Students with no reported disability71%
English learner19%
Fluent-English proficient and English only72%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented97%
Parent education - not a high school graduate55%
Parent education - high school graduate63%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)63%
Parent education - college graduate78%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate90%
Parent education - declined to state63%
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 Students91%
Females92%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino82%
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantaged93%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with no reported disability91%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only90%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented93%
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 state90%

English Language Arts

All Students77%
Females82%
Males73%
African American74%
Asian87%
Filipino72%
Hispanic or Latino72%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantaged71%
Non-economically disadvantaged84%
Students with disability29%
Students with no reported disability81%
English learner13%
Fluent-English proficient and English only80%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented97%
Parent education - not a high school graduate52%
Parent education - high school graduate74%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)60%
Parent education - college graduate67%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate86%
Parent education - declined to state84%

Math

All Students56%
Females59%
Males53%
African American55%
Asian69%
Filipino63%
Hispanic or Latino52%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)65%
Economically disadvantaged51%
Non-economically disadvantaged63%
Students with disability15%
Students with no reported disability60%
English learner22%
Fluent-English proficient and English only58%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented90%
Parent education - not a high school graduate33%
Parent education - high school graduate47%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)33%
Parent education - college graduate53%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate89%
Parent education - declined to state64%
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 Students83%
Females87%
Males78%
African American78%
Asian96%
Filipino85%
Hispanic or Latino86%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)79%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability83%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only83%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented88%
Parent education - not a high school graduate91%
Parent education - high school graduate85%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)76%
Parent education - college graduate81%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate87%
Parent education - declined to state82%

English Language Arts

All Students74%
Females81%
Males68%
African American69%
Asian84%
Filipino82%
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)87%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Non-economically disadvantaged78%
Students with disability31%
Students with no reported disability78%
English learner9%
Fluent-English proficient and English only77%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented97%
Parent education - not a high school graduate68%
Parent education - high school graduate80%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)68%
Parent education - college graduate80%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
Parent education - declined to state68%

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students35%
Females37%
Males34%
African American27%
Asian42%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino28%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)83%
Economically disadvantaged29%
Non-economically disadvantaged44%
Students with disability33%
Students with no reported disability36%
English learner9%
Fluent-English proficient and English only39%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented75%
Parent education - not a high school graduate29%
Parent education - high school graduate33%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)37%
Parent education - college graduate54%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state28%

Geometry

All Students97%
Females96%
Males98%
African American100%
Asian97%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino100%
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged93%
Non-economically disadvantaged99%
Students with no reported disability97%
Fluent-English proficient and English only97%
Gifted and talented97%
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 state95%

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students71%
Females72%
Males69%
African American62%
Asian84%
Filipino88%
Hispanic or Latino64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)85%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disability24%
Students with no reported disability75%
English learner12%
Fluent-English proficient and English only73%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented93%
Parent education - not a high school graduate64%
Parent education - high school graduate71%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)61%
Parent education - college graduate78%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to state66%

Science

All Students75%
Females78%
Males72%
African American68%
Asian86%
Filipino94%
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)91%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Students with disability33%
Students with no reported disability79%
English learner18%
Fluent-English proficient and English only78%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduate70%
Parent education - high school graduate76%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)64%
Parent education - college graduate84%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
Parent education - declined to state71%
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 40% 49%
African American 25% 7%
White 18% 28%
Asian 13% 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 16%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 242%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 74% 85%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 5% 1%
Arabic 4% 1%
All other non-English languages 2% 1%
Hindi 2% 0%
Korean 2% 1%
Punjabi 2% 1%
Urdu 2% 0%
Bengali 1% 0%
Burmese 1% 0%
Farsi (Persian) 1% 0%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 1% 1%
French 1% 0%
Japanese 1% 0%
Russian 1% 0%
Taiwanese 1% 0%
Thai 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
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

10860 Woodbine Street
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Website: Click here
Phone: (310) 253-7600

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare

Nearby schools

ADVERTISEMENT