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GreatSchools Rating

Pearl Zanker Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 592 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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10 reviews of this school


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Posted August 22, 2011

school is excellent . It is not linked to the API scores shown .the campus looks so new and clean . Teachers are great . the morning assembly , birthday wishes and uniforms makes it more like a British school . kids get the feel of going to school here .Parents are happy too.Very disciplined, wish it goes on.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 3, 2011

An absolutely amazing school! Its rating doesn't do it justice - it should be a 10! But its API scores should be considered along with the fact that it's situated in a middle class mixed neighborhood. The principal is very experienced and has done a good job of building a core of committed and experienced teaching staff that does an extremely commendable job of keeping a strong focus on academics. A nice mix of extra-curricular activities like Run For Fun, Young Author's Faire, Young Artist's Faire and more. Good discipline with a strictly enforced dress code.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 7, 2010

Awesome schoold, teachers. The kids love it here.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 9, 2008

My daughter has been at Zanker since Kindergarten and is now in the third grade. Mrs Doi is an incredibly motivated and motivating principal who is very involved with both students and staff. Academic excellence is clearly the focus at Zanker and this is translated with the challenging programs that the teachers provide. I want to point out Ms. Chen as a great example of a teacher who challenges her students to achieve academic excellence in her class.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 9, 2008

My daughter is in the 1st grade. I love this school. The school has high quality teachers, provides each child with plenty of attention and chanllenge. The child has the opportunity to advance way beyond their grade level.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 7, 2008

Fantastic! Safe environment and challenging curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 1, 2007

This school has a wonderfully dedicated principal and excellent teachers. The school also continues to improve in API scores each year. My daughter is now in the second grade and all her teachers were great. I could not be more happy having my child go to this public school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 13, 2007

Very happy with the KG and 1st grade teacher MS. Bada
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 27, 2004

Zanker is a wonderful school for children to be in. Every child is truly valued and also encouraged to do their best. The teachers are highly skilled and they help each child to bring out the best in them. Their GATE and Special Education program is great. Safety and Discipline are top priority here. They have a lot of fun and extracurricular activities that the children look forward to. The School and PTA newsletters keep parents updated on all events in the school. Zanker is a California Distinguished School!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 3, 2004

This school is good about education, students, school staff, and more, and especially with award from state of california for performance, improvement for this year. When you read the test results and the scoring the state has given this school, you feel proud to belong here.
—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

884

Change from
2011 to 2012

+15

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

8 / 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

884

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

+15

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)

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.

86 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
68%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

86 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
68%

2009

 
 
81%
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.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
45%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
53%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
87%
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.

103 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
63%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

105 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
74%

2009

 
 
71%
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.

86 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
72%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
79%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

87 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
61%

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

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

93 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
84%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

93 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
66%
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%
Females82%
Males72%
African Americann/a
Asian86%
Filipino73%
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged42%
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability80%
English learner84%
Fluent-English proficient and English only66%
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)56%
Parent education - college graduate83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate96%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students85%
Females90%
Males81%
African Americann/a
Asian90%
Filipino100%
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged58%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability88%
English learner90%
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)75%
Parent education - college graduate90%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
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 Students58%
Females65%
Males48%
African Americann/a
Asian86%
Filipino39%
Hispanic or Latino8%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged50%
Non-economically disadvantaged60%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability58%
English learner68%
Fluent-English proficient and English only47%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate50%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)31%
Parent education - college graduate52%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate89%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students83%
Females85%
Males80%
African Americann/a
Asian98%
Filipino72%
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged63%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability85%
English learner87%
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate71%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)81%
Parent education - college graduate82%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
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 Students78%
Females78%
Males77%
African Americann/a
Asian90%
Filipino76%
Hispanic or Latino53%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability78%
English learner74%
Fluent-English proficient and English only80%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate46%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)68%
Parent education - college graduate90%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students81%
Females83%
Males80%
African Americann/a
Asian98%
Filipino83%
Hispanic or Latino44%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability82%
English learner84%
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate54%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)74%
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
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 Students79%
Females86%
Males72%
African Americann/a
Asian88%
Filipino75%
Hispanic or Latino75%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged74%
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability81%
English learner57%
Fluent-English proficient and English only86%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate67%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)76%
Parent education - college graduate83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students82%
Females86%
Males78%
African Americann/a
Asian93%
Filipino69%
Hispanic or Latino85%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged71%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability83%
English learner73%
Fluent-English proficient and English only85%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate83%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)76%
Parent education - college graduate86%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students72%
Females74%
Males68%
African Americann/a
Asian83%
Filipino75%
Hispanic or Latino55%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged54%
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability72%
English learner48%
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate50%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)62%
Parent education - college graduate83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students72%
Females82%
Males63%
African Americann/a
Asian82%
Filipino57%
Hispanic or Latino64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged63%
Non-economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability71%
English learner31%
Fluent-English proficient and English only81%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate62%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)59%
Parent education - college graduate86%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students62%
Females61%
Males63%
African Americann/a
Asian75%
Filipino57%
Hispanic or Latino50%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantaged71%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability62%
English learner25%
Fluent-English proficient and English only70%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate52%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduate71%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
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
Asian 44% 8%
Filipino 24% 3%
Hispanic or Latino 13% 49%
Multiple or No Response 8% 3%
White 6% 28%
African American 3% 7%
Pacific Islander 1% 1%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 147%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 226%N/A52%
Source: 1 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Source: 2 NCES, 2008-2009

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 24N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 10N/A11
Average years teaching 13N/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!

1585 Fallen Leaf Drive
Milpitas, CA 95035
Phone: (408) 635-2882

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