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GreatSchools Rating

Old Mill Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 318 students

 
 
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
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2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
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16 reviews of this school


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Posted February 22, 2011

Old Mill has some great teachers and some not-so-great ones. The good ones are clustered in the lower grades. It benefits from Kiddo's support tremendously with great music, art, PE, and Library teachers. Unfortunately, as the smallest school in the district, it has the largest class sizes (25 in K and 3, where they are capped at around 20 in the other schools). Also, it is going through a rough patch (2010-11) with a new principal who is not well liked by faculty, staff, or parents. This is a decent public school that serves the middle of the curve. If your child is either gifted or in need of extra help and services, this may be a bad fit.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 21, 2010

Sent my two daughters through Old Mill, and they loved it, as did my wife and I. Involved parents. Engaged teachers. Small facility near the redwoods and the public library, with personal and very supportive staff.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 5, 2009

Best public school with all the benefits of private. Kiddo rocks as an organized parent fund raiser providing amazing art, assembly, music programs.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 17, 2009

It's a great school, Old Mill make me so proud and my daughter is so happy there!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 16, 2009

My daughter Pim is in her 4th year at Old Mill School and she absolutely loves it. Class sizes are not too big. Teachers are consistently of high quality and very responsive to the needs of parents and students. It feels like a supportive community.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 16, 2009

We have awesome teachers, staff and kids and a fabulous parent community that constantly steps up to volunteer and donate.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 14, 2009

the children have no discipline and are always picking on kids that are poorer then them.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 16, 2008

Public school with a private school feel. Old Mill succeeds because the staff and teacher are wonderful, the parents are incredibly invovlved and the school sits nestled in a beautiful part of MV, which makes it feel good to be there.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 13, 2008

This is our second year at Old Mill, and coming from he east coast and the private school experience I can ,unequivocally, tell you the differences between the two are negligible. This school is outstanding! The quality of the education, teacher's commitment and stewardship from the principal are like no other.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 17, 2006

Excellent school, great teachers, parent involvement, administration. I have two kids at this school and wouldn't send them anywhere else. Teachers keep them challenged and teach to the individual, not to 'the middle.' New administration in 2005-2006 made a tremendous, positive, impact.
—Submitted by Robin Moses, a parent


Posted May 13, 2006

Old Mill is troubled by number of very poor quality teachers that it has on staff. Many of the most interesting and brightest students have already left the District. Unless this is corrected, Old Mill will continue to lose its most promising students and be a school that caters to the middle of the pack, ignoring both the top and the bottom of the population. This is a sad commentary for a public school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 22, 2006

This school has high test scores for California but in reality will only teach 'to the middle' of the class. They make no effort to help exceptionally bright or slow children. Socially there are many activities to see classmates through sports and other interests on campus. The parents are very involved. The teachers seem to disdain the parents for their involvement. They do not want parents to have input into their classrooms and resent the many educated, successful stay at home parents that want to be involved in the education of their children. If it weren't free, my kid wouldn't be there.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 6, 2005

Strong academics, excellent music and art programs. Level of parent involvement borders on excessive. Lots of type A parents with over-achieving, over-scheduled kids.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 23, 2005

This school provides a balanced and strong academic program to its students. The arts are not yet forgotten here. All of this is a beautiful natural setting.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 30, 2004

Quality school with good teachers who care about teaching and their students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 18, 2004

My 2 daughters attend this school. They are in second and fourth grade. This school has overwelming parental involvement and especially excels in the arts (Self Funded through local organizations). State scores comparing schools of similar demographics can be skewed in extreme positive and negative directions from year to year. Overall this is one of very finest elementary schools in the state.
—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

940

Change from
2011 to 2012

-10

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

7 / 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

940

What is the API?
The Academic Performance Index (API) is a single number assigned to each school by the California Department of Education to measure overall school performance and improvement over time on statewide testing. The API ranges from 200 and 1000, with 800 as the state goal for all schools.
Change from
2011 to 2012

-10

Change from 2011 to 2012
Comparing the API Growth to the Base shows whether or not this school’s test score performance improved between Spring 2011 and Spring 2012. The API ranges between 200 and 1000, with 800 as the statewide goal for all schools. Schools scoring below an 800 are given at least a 5 point target for the next year.
API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 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)

7 / 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.

54 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
88%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

54 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
91%
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.

52 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
71%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

52 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
89%
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.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
93%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
96%
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.

57 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
99%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
94%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

57 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
93%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

57 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
95%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
92%
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 Students76%
Females91%
Males65%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)80%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged77%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability77%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only77%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
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 graduate69%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate80%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students82%
Females83%
Males81%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)86%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability83%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only83%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
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 graduate69%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate88%
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 Students77%
Females85%
Males72%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)74%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability83%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only76%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
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 graduate77%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate80%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students90%
Females85%
Males94%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability94%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only90%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
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 graduate92%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate88%
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 Students93%
Females88%
Males97%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability92%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only95%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
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 graduate82%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate96%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students91%
Females85%
Males97%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)96%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability92%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only93%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
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 graduate82%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
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 Students99%
Females97%
Males100%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)98%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability100%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only98%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
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 graduate95%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students84%
Females91%
Males75%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)84%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged84%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability92%
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate75%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate89%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students95%
Females94%
Males96%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)96%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability98%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only95%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
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 graduate89%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate97%
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
White 85% 27%
Two or more races 6% 3%
Hispanic 4% 51%
Asian 3% 11%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 1%
Black 0% 7%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 12%N/A54%
English language learners 22%N/A24%
Source: 1 NCES, 2010-2011
Source: 2 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Home languages of english learners

Language This school State average
Spanish 100% 85%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 21N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 12N/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

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352 Throckmorton Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (415) 389-7727

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