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GreatSchools Rating

Albert A. Michelson Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 256 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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9 reviews of this school


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Posted September 17, 2009

Michelson has been a great place for my kids. They have thrived in this caring environment. The teachers and staff work very to make it a fun place to work and play. The support for our new community garden, the arts and community activities help keep Michelson and Murphys a great place to grow in!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 4, 2009

Just a top of the line staff. Front office is great and quick to help. Teachers are just great.


Posted October 30, 2007

My daughter has spent K-5 at michelson, this being her last year. I have been 100% amazed with the results of this school and they could never have found a better staff. The staff knows every childs name, who there parents are and they truly care about our children's future and education. when my daughter was in 3rd grade she was reading at a 5th grade level.Michelson has a wonderful PTA.I am so honored to have been a part of the Michelson family and I am beyond proud of our teachers,parents and all other staff that makes it all happen. We really do have the best school in California. Our students are safe and loved by the whole community. Thank you Michelson for helping me raise my child into the strong and intelligent young lady she has become.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 1, 2006

My son is in Terry Sepulveda's special ed class. The special ed at Michelson has been excellent. Terry Sepulveda is an incredible teacher. Her many years of expertise are evident - she is dedicated, patient and caring, as are all the experts that have come in to work on their individual areas. I have been very happy with my son's education, the school 'family' and acceptance by other kids. The principal is a real nurturer - very hands on and obviously loves kids.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 14, 2005

My daughter has been enrolled in michelson so far k-3. You will never find a better school in all of california. Michelson takes so much pride in there school and the teachers are there 100% for all the children. The staff knows every student my name. Not to mention mr. O, the school principal, he had to of been special made by god just for michelson students.The whole staff at michelson are just the best you could ever ask for and I feel very special to be a part of the michelson family. I will continue to support our school in every way I can, and not to toot our own horn..But yes..Michelson is the best and always will be..
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 10, 2005

I don't think there is a better place to raise and educate your children. Michelson offers and outstanding quality of education, but more importantly, a confident and nuturing environment where children feel successful and good about themselves. I love michelson and the entire staff!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 31, 2005

My kids enjoy attending Michelson, but that is no basis for choosing their scholastic experiences. While the parents club tries to bring in some diverse ethnic exposure, there is little exposure to general cultural arts. Yes the janitor smiles at everyone, but the lunch monitors often yell at the kids to stop screaming and behave durring lunch. Many field trips focus on fun, rather than including educational opportunities outside the student's everyday exposure.This feeling of searching for fun is typified by families vaca-tioning in Disneyland durring school days, and calling it 'independant study'. Then there is the panic right before STAR testing and the children beging the endless cycle of catching up with extra homework. This is a good school failing in some big ways. A house will not stand on a poor foundation.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 2, 2004

I've been extremely happy with... not just the teachers but the staff including janitors, lunch helpers, bus drivers etc. My son & daughter are very happy & look forward to going to school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 16, 2004

While my children have benefited from their school, it is because of not just the specific teachers they have been exposed to but our involvement as parents as well. The school board has in the past and still does not required a level of safety that one would expect at a grammer school, so either I or my husband must be around to insure our children's safety. The added benefit of course is our classroom involvement. It gives the teachers the proper support of their authority and keeps us as parents very informed about what our kids are doing. I think that it generates a greater awareness of and commitment to our children by their teachers as well. But it should not be a necessity to the children's safety. I have numerous examples of danger to my and other children which re-enforces my comments. Such a nice school; such a shame.
—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

852

Change from
2011 to 2012

+16

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

7 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

2 / 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

852

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

+16

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

7 / 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)

2 / 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.

35 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
55%

2010

 
 
52%

2009

 
 
42%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

35 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
50%

2009

 
 
49%
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.

33 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
51%

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
39%

2009

 
 
53%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

33 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
79%
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.

35 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
68%

2009

 
 
84%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

35 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
74%

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 63% in 2012.

36 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
67%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

36 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
66%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
55%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

36 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
72%
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 Students71%
Femalesn/a
Males71%
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)79%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged75%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability82%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only74%
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)61%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students65%
Femalesn/a
Males67%
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)71%
Economically disadvantaged57%
Non-economically disadvantaged70%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability75%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only68%
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)67%
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 Students51%
Females50%
Males54%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)57%
Economically disadvantaged47%
Non-economically disadvantaged56%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability53%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only59%
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)60%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students72%
Females80%
Males62%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)75%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Non-economically disadvantaged78%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability72%
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)80%
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 Students71%
Females74%
Males67%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)71%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Non-economically disadvantaged79%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability73%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only74%
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students83%
Females83%
Males83%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)82%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability85%
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 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 Students78%
Females84%
Males71%
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)78%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged85%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability82%
English learnern/a
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)69%
Parent education - college graduate92%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students69%
Females74%
Males65%
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)69%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged73%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only71%
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)62%
Parent education - college graduate75%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students83%
Females79%
Males88%
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)88%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability88%
English learnern/a
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)77%
Parent education - college graduate92%
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
White 86% 28%
Hispanic or Latino 10% 49%
American Indian or Alaska Native 2% 1%
Asian 1% 8%
Multiple or No Response 1% 3%
African American 0% 7%
Filipino 0% 3%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 19%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 20%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 100% 85%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 20N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 14N/A11
Average years teaching 18N/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!

196 Pennsylvania Gulch Road
Murphys, CA 95247
Phone: (209) 728-3441

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