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Thomas Jefferson Middle School

Public | 7-8 | 995 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

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

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted June 16, 2012

Great teachers great leadership ; great neighborhood love this school you won't regret putting your kids here


Posted March 22, 2011

User Rating: 1 out of 5 stars by Mad Mom 03/22/2011 I absolutely cannot stand going into the office, the two rude cows that are sitting there doing nothing, wont even acknowledge you when you walk in, the rest of the staff does not know what they are doing!! the teachers are confused and don't care 99% of the time, why is our money bing wasted like this?!!! If we pay our taxes, our children need a good school, and parents and our children need to be treated with respect.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 3, 2010

My two star rating is of the front office staff at Thomas Jerrerson Middle School. On two occasions, I have had to stop by the office to pick up my child and the staff was not friendly, and I had to wait about 10 minutes before any of the two ladies that were there would even help me. They were not busy at the time and there was no other person other than myself and them, they could have at least acknowledged my presence with a 'hello' or ' I will be right with you'. If this kind of treatment that parents recieve how do they treat our children?
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 30, 2009

I think that Thomas Jefferson is a great school it has great academics and the teachers are responsible and dedicated to there work and the students.The sports there are also great. And as most parents they are worried about the other students there well the students there are great kids.So I think that every kid should experience at least one year at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 18, 2009

In response to the post about the algebra course, the school offers an alegra readiness course for the student to take who struggled in pre-algebra (the course they all take prior to algebra) and which they begin taking in 6th grade. They should be ready for algebra by 8th grade. Also, tutoring courses are offered free before/during/and after school for students to get help with questions or confusions. I know the standard is what is being upheld!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 2, 2008

I think T.J is a great school. The principal and staff are caring and supprotive.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 18, 2007

I am very concerned about some of the academic courses. I was recently told that all 8th grade students will be placed in an Algebra 1 class. What happens to those students who are not prepared to take this class. They will fail straight out. The whole reason behind this decision is so that the school does not lose points on their API and APY. They are setting up a large number of students to fail. Its not right. I know these things because I too teach math at the Jr. High level thank goodness it not at this school!
—Submitted by Very Concerned, a parent


Posted March 7, 2007

I think that every child in the district should get to experience at least one day because TJ is just the best school in Madera.
—Submitted by a former student


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

The API reflects year-over-year schools performance based on STAR test score results from spring 2012.

This school's
API score

738

Change from
2011 to 2012

-5

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

4 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

5 / 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

738

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

-5

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)

5 / 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.
Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 86% in 2012.

69 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
88%
English Language Arts

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

467 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
47%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
55%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

395 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
33%

2011

 
 
27%

2010

 
 
29%

2009

 
 
36%
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.

308 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
23%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
44%

2009

 
 
83%
English Language Arts

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

435 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
51%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
47%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

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

133 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
7%

2011

 
 
13%

2010

 
 
29%

2009

 
 
43%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

30 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
94%

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
100%
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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

474 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
40%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
42%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

430 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
61%
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

All Students81%
Females79%
Males84%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino74%
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with no reported disability81%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only84%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate82%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)75%
Parent education - college graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students47%
Females57%
Males40%
African American38%
Asian75%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)73%
Economically disadvantaged41%
Non-economically disadvantaged66%
Students with disability45%
Students with no reported disability47%
English learner6%
Fluent-English proficient and English only56%
Migrant education30%
Gifted and talented92%
Parent education - not a high school graduate34%
Parent education - high school graduate45%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)62%
Parent education - college graduate59%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate82%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students33%
Females33%
Males34%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino32%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)54%
Economically disadvantaged30%
Non-economically disadvantaged47%
Students with disability50%
Students with no reported disability33%
English learner9%
Fluent-English proficient and English only40%
Migrant education34%
Gifted and talented75%
Parent education - not a high school graduate28%
Parent education - high school graduate29%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)45%
Parent education - college graduate35%
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

Algebra I

All Students23%
Females25%
Males21%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino22%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)29%
Economically disadvantaged22%
Non-economically disadvantaged26%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability23%
English learner0%
Fluent-English proficient and English only24%
Migrant education32%
Gifted and talented46%
Parent education - not a high school graduate28%
Parent education - high school graduate17%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)19%
Parent education - college graduate36%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate31%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students50%
Females52%
Males47%
African Americann/a
Asian85%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino46%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)68%
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantaged65%
Students with disability45%
Students with no reported disability50%
English learner5%
Fluent-English proficient and English only56%
Migrant education41%
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduate44%
Parent education - high school graduate40%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)56%
Parent education - college graduate75%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate73%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students7%
Females7%
Males7%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino5%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)15%
Economically disadvantaged6%
Non-economically disadvantaged14%
Students with disability11%
Students with no reported disability5%
English learner0%
Fluent-English proficient and English only12%
Migrant education0%
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate4%
Parent education - high school graduate7%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)8%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Geometry

All Students94%
Females94%
Males92%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino87%
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged93%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with no reported disability93%
Fluent-English proficient and English only93%
Gifted and talented96%
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 staten/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students39%
Females33%
Males44%
African Americann/a
Asian69%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino36%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)57%
Economically disadvantaged31%
Non-economically disadvantaged55%
Students with disability9%
Students with no reported disability42%
English learner1%
Fluent-English proficient and English only45%
Migrant education23%
Gifted and talented83%
Parent education - not a high school graduate29%
Parent education - high school graduate33%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)45%
Parent education - college graduate64%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate68%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students60%
Females59%
Males61%
African Americann/a
Asian92%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino57%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)76%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Non-economically disadvantaged73%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability61%
English learner5%
Fluent-English proficient and English only68%
Migrant education52%
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate50%
Parent education - high school graduate56%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)70%
Parent education - college graduate78%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate77%
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 75% 49%
White 19% 28%
African American 3% 7%
Asian 2% 8%
Multiple or No Response 1% 3%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Filipino 0% 3%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 122%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 263%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 91% 85%
All other non-English languages 5% 1%
Punjabi 2% 1%
Arabic 1% 1%
Mixteco 1% 0%
Urdu 1% 0%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 28N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 9N/A11
Average years teaching 13N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 98%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1407 Sunset Avenue
Madera, CA 93637
Phone: (559) 673-9286

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