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GreatSchools Rating

P. A. Walsh Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 676 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 3 ratings
2011:
Based on 5 ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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13 reviews of this school


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Posted September 10, 2012

As a new parent to this school I agree with the previous review one does research for the best schools and we do get caught up in the numbers. I must say I was hesitant in sending my child here, but after almost 3 weeks of classes my husband and i can honestly say we were pleasantly surprised. The welcome from the teachers, volunteers and the involvement from our principal is to be commended. I can see the commitment to success. We are proud to be part of this community....Way to go P.A Walsh! The community is watching and cheering you on... A special recognition to Ms. Miller....we couldn't have aked for a better teacher for my child.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 20, 2012

When a parent looked at schools to send his/her child, that person will value 2 things 1) API scores and 2) Great School' s Scores. Aside from having a "3" rating, P.A Walsh also has a consistently LOW API score of mid to low 700's since the year 2000!!! Please STOP kidding yourselves by thinking/saying/posting "how great Walsh truly is...." You would need to prove it by increasing your API scores to match that of your "wonderful and glowing" reviews!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 25, 2012

Don't be fooled by this school's low rating. The principal is a great leader and has full support of a very committed group of teachers. They are all working hard for our children. My children have been here a number of years and they and I have had a great relationship with all of their teachers. They have been challenged to be the best that they can be and enjoy going to school everyday. The little engine that can is a great description of our school!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 22, 2011

PA Walsh is a great school for our small town community of Morgan Hill. It is a place that nurtures students and supports families while pushing for academic excellence. Students make great gains each year. My son is in his second year at Walsh and is thriving in their care.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 26, 2011

Amazing school. The principle, teachers, and staff are all attentive and very sweet people. My son's teacher pays attention to every detail and the classroom size if perfect.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 24, 2011

This school is the little engine that CAN! Our principal and the teachers are wonderful! We have faced many challenges as others have around the state, overcrowded classrooms, less funding and joining with a closed school from the district. I have to say this has made our school stronger. The joining of Walsh & Burnett has been a plus, we gained some amazing teachers. Keep up the good work. If you are a parent you need to be involved with your child's school & teacher! Great job Walsh Teachers & Students
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 23, 2011

P.A.Walsh is a good school. Great Principal and teachers.I think the parent in one of the other postings should be ashamed, how can you say kids hate America and "fair" colored people . Don't be fooled by this scary parent . This is California,with great diversity That is what makes America Great I think some people .forget that.. P.A. wash is a good school that gets a bad rap. My son has went there since kindergarten , he now is in 5th grade. Great teachers every year , always challenging the kids. Good kids!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 30, 2011

The teacher and the principals are good, but there's too many kids that hate America and hate fair skinned people. The kids are allowed to act like animals. The classes are over crowded (I think above the legal requirements). The district needs to mix up the races, offer free English classes to parents, move some of the kids to other schools, hold parents accountable for repeat offenders. (There are MANY fantastic kids and families) but way too many "bad apples."
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 2, 2010

There have been a lot of changes at Walsh over the past few years. To compare it to what it was even 3 years ago, you would not recognize it. And for the better! The staff is doing whatever it possibly can to tackle huge issues one by one. Next year promises to be even better. Test scores are raising, and attitudes are improving all around. I'm proud to work at PA Walsh.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted January 12, 2010

My child has attended several schools in the district over the years. This is the first time that I have seen them happy to attend. The teachers are attentive and work hard to help their students to achieve their best!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 21, 2006

My experience indicates that P A Walsh offers an excellent academic curriculum as well as a diversified extra curricular scheduled. Our grandchildren did enjoy going to school each day and excelled in their schoolwork. We, as grandparents enjoyed the special programs designed for both entertainment and education for both students and parents. The children appear to get an excellent education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 1, 2005

Principal not very friendly. Love my son's teacher.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 20, 2004

Principal not freindly at all and does not help with soving problems the way a principal should. Some teachers are just not all that great as to what I have seen in other schools in morgan hill. This is the only school I dislike and I would never send my child there again
—Submitted by FINA, 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

748

Change from
2011 to 2012

+21

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

2 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

1 / 10


API Growth scores over time

Did this school meet the API goal this year?
The state goal for API is 800. All schools that are below 800 are assigned an API improvement target each year.
  • This school met its schoolwide API target for 2012.
  • This school has not yet met the state goal of 800.

API Growth scores by subgroup

In addition to schoolwide API scores, each student subgroup receives an API score.
Did this school meet all the API goals for student subgroups this year?
The state goal for the API is 800. All the student subgroups at a school that are below 800 are assigned an API improvement target each year.
  • This school met all student subgroup API targets for 2012

This school's
API score

748

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

+21

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)

2 / 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)

1 / 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.

89 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
33%

2011

 
 
42%

2010

 
 
49%

2009

 
 
61%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

89 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
57%

2009

 
 
63%
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.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
27%

2011

 
 
34%

2010

 
 
29%

2009

 
 
31%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
46%

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
52%

2009

 
 
29%
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.

78 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
58%

2009

 
 
37%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

78 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
43%

2010

 
 
57%

2009

 
 
30%
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

 
 
52%

2011

 
 
49%

2010

 
 
36%

2009

 
 
28%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

86 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
30%

2010

 
 
36%

2009

 
 
32%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

86 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
52%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
35%

2009

 
 
20%
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.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
53%

2011

 
 
35%

2010

 
 
40%

2009

 
 
64%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
25%

2010

 
 
37%

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

English Language Arts

All Students33%
Females34%
Males31%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino26%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged28%
Non-economically disadvantaged53%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability35%
English learner30%
Fluent-English proficient and English only40%
Migrant education31%
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate20%
Parent education - high school graduate30%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)43%
Parent education - college graduate54%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students50%
Females43%
Males58%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino45%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged49%
Non-economically disadvantaged59%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability55%
English learner50%
Fluent-English proficient and English only52%
Migrant education69%
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate32%
Parent education - high school graduate57%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)71%
Parent education - college graduate62%
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 Students27%
Females36%
Males19%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino22%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged23%
Non-economically disadvantaged39%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability29%
English learner24%
Fluent-English proficient and English only31%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate30%
Parent education - high school graduate25%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)19%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students46%
Females55%
Males40%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged42%
Non-economically disadvantaged61%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability51%
English learner43%
Fluent-English proficient and English only52%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate57%
Parent education - high school graduate33%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)44%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
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 Students58%
Females64%
Males53%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino52%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)82%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Non-economically disadvantaged74%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability60%
English learner42%
Fluent-English proficient and English only71%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate47%
Parent education - high school graduate58%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)65%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students60%
Females67%
Males56%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino61%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)55%
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantaged74%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability60%
English learner47%
Fluent-English proficient and English only71%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate59%
Parent education - high school graduate54%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)65%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
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 Students52%
Females55%
Males49%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino48%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability58%
English learner29%
Fluent-English proficient and English only69%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate44%
Parent education - high school graduate45%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)56%
Parent education - college graduate75%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students58%
Females64%
Males51%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino51%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)86%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability61%
English learner37%
Fluent-English proficient and English only73%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate50%
Parent education - high school graduate55%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)56%
Parent education - college graduate81%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students52%
Females55%
Males49%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino46%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)86%
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability57%
English learner26%
Fluent-English proficient and English only71%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate39%
Parent education - high school graduate55%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduate75%
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 Students53%
Females55%
Males53%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino45%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged37%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability58%
English learner26%
Fluent-English proficient and English only77%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented94%
Parent education - not a high school graduate35%
Parent education - high school graduate52%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)69%
Parent education - college graduate79%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students50%
Females45%
Males53%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)75%
Economically disadvantaged35%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability52%
English learner26%
Fluent-English proficient and English only69%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented94%
Parent education - not a high school graduate39%
Parent education - high school graduate44%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)69%
Parent education - college graduate57%
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

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 67% 49%
White 17% 28%
Multiple or No Response 9% 3%
Asian 3% 8%
African American 2% 7%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1% 1%
Filipino 1% 3%
Pacific Islander 1% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 143%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 260%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 96% 85%
Armenian 1% 1%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 1% 1%
French 1% 0%
Hungarian 1% 0%
Tongan 1% 0%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 8N/A11
Average years teaching 12N/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!

353 West Main Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Phone: (408) 201-6500

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