Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

Dana Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 569 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

Rate this school

Click on stars to rate
Please select a star rating for this school.
    Helpful reviews answer questions:
  • What do you think others should know?
  • What do you like?
  • How could your school improve?
    Review Guidelines
    GreatSchools won’t post reviews that contain:
  • Inappropriate language
  • Allegations of criminal conduct
  • Names of students, teachers or staff
1200 characters remaining
Please indicate your relationship to the school.
Please read and accept our Terms of Use to join GreatSchools.
Indicates a required field

5 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted June 9, 2008

My daughter is almost finished with kindergarden & I have nothing but raves for the kindergarden program at Dana. This is the second year that Dana has had kindergarden but you'd never know it. Dana's four kindergarden teaches work together as a team focus on each child's development strengths & weakness. The home work assignments are great for early reads, math, and organization. My wife & I looked at private schooling & home schooling & are so happy that we chose Dana.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 3, 2007

My son has done so well at Dana, I am really happy with all the folks there. He has had the opportunity to learn to play an instrument, participate in sports, be challenged academically and encouraged all the way. I hear litle to nothing about discipline problems. Way to go Dana!
—Submitted by Andrew Turkington, a parent


Posted January 24, 2004

Mrs. Zambo and Mrs. Childress are excellent, caring teachers. Our granddaughter has improved remarkably in the resource class. These two teachers are to be commended for their dedication in applying this program.
—Submitted by EVELYN LONGEST


Posted August 17, 2003

This is a great schoo. The staff and all the teachers are the best.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 10, 2003

I've had one daughter here for 2 years and another ready to start. The teachers, principal and school staff are above exemplary in my opinion.
—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

813

Change from
2011 to 2012

-3

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

6 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

6 / 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 did not meet all student subgroup API targets for 2012

This school's
API score

813

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

-3

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)

6 / 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)

6 / 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.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
46%

2010

 
 
44%

2009

 
 
54%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
63%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
56%
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.

87 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
41%

2011

 
 
45%

2010

 
 
38%

2009

 
 
58%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
54%

2009

 
 
77%
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.

83 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
72%

2009

 
 
58%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

85 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
76%

2009

 
 
43%
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.

61 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
55%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
59%

2009

 
 
56%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

61 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
51%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

61 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
41%

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
42%

2009

 
 
42%
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.

76 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
53%

2009

 
 
64%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

76 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
47%

2010

 
 
47%

2009

 
 
58%
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 Students60%
Females77%
Males41%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino50%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)71%
Economically disadvantaged50%
Non-economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability67%
English learner34%
Fluent-English proficient and English only75%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate55%
Parent education - high school graduate62%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)55%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state57%

Math

All Students63%
Females70%
Males54%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino52%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)74%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Non-economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability67%
English learner38%
Fluent-English proficient and English only76%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate45%
Parent education - high school graduate69%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)52%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state71%
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 Students41%
Females49%
Males34%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino21%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)61%
Economically disadvantaged31%
Non-economically disadvantaged61%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability43%
English learner25%
Fluent-English proficient and English only45%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate36%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)31%
Parent education - college graduate50%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state45%

Math

All Students75%
Females71%
Males78%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged68%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disability73%
Students with no reported disability75%
English learner50%
Fluent-English proficient and English only82%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate55%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)72%
Parent education - college graduate95%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state75%
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 Students62%
Females55%
Males71%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino54%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)74%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability63%
English learner32%
Fluent-English proficient and English only76%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate77%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)67%
Parent education - college graduate64%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state58%

Math

All Students64%
Females63%
Males64%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino53%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)75%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability65%
English learner36%
Fluent-English proficient and English only75%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate64%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)58%
Parent education - college graduate80%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state68%
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 Students55%
Females55%
Males56%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino40%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)70%
Economically disadvantaged49%
Non-economically disadvantaged68%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability55%
English learner33%
Fluent-English proficient and English only63%
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)63%
Parent education - college graduate73%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state33%

Math

All Students68%
Females72%
Males66%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)70%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged77%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability71%
English learner53%
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)69%
Parent education - college graduate82%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state42%

Science

All Students41%
Females31%
Males50%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino17%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)67%
Economically disadvantaged31%
Non-economically disadvantaged59%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability40%
English learner7%
Fluent-English proficient and English only52%
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)50%
Parent education - college graduate45%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state33%
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 Students67%
Females57%
Males77%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino47%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)86%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Non-economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability70%
English learner18%
Fluent-English proficient and English only75%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate69%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)59%
Parent education - college graduate80%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state64%

Math

All Students58%
Females57%
Males59%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino39%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)78%
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantaged79%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability59%
English learner9%
Fluent-English proficient and English only66%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate56%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)59%
Parent education - college graduate73%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state36%
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 49% 28%
Hispanic or Latino 42% 49%
Multiple or No Response 7% 3%
Filipino 1% 3%
African American 0% 7%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Asian 0% 8%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 126%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 250%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 97% 85%
Arabic 1% 1%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 1% 1%
Samoan 1% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 23N/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 16N/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

Awards

Academic awards received in the past 3 years
  • Office Max "A Day Made Better" Award Recipient (2004)

Special education / special needs

Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Autism
  • Specific learning disabilities
  • Speech and language impairments
  • Visual impairments

Arts & music

Music
  • Band
Performing and written arts
  • Dance
  • Drama

Language learning

Foreign languages taught
  • Foreign Language taught during after school enrichment program.
  • French
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 9:00 am
School end time
  • 3:15 pm
Before school or after school care / program onsite
  • After school
  • Before school
School Leader's name
  • Paul Jarvis
Fax number
  • (805) 473-5521

Programs

Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Autism
  • Specific learning disabilities
  • Speech and language impairments
  • Visual impairments
Foreign languages taught
  • Foreign Language taught during after school enrichment program.
  • French
School leaders can update this information here.

Arts & music

Music
  • Band
Performing arts
  • Dance
  • Drama
School leaders can update this information here.

School culture

Dress Code
  • Dress code
Parent involvement
  • Parents and community members attend back to school night, open house, parent conferences, family activity nights, pta family fun nights. many volunteer in the classroom. several parents and community members teach in our bright futures after school program and participate in school site council, elac, and title i committee.
More from this school
  • Dana School is located between the Nipomo Regional Park, the county library, and a community health center. We have a large, beautiful (but well aged) campus that is used heavily by the public. AYSO, youth basketball, a local church congregation, two 4H groups, Nipomo Recreation, and several other community organizations use our facilities regularly.
School leaders can update this information here.

Apply

 

TIP: Don't forget to ask about documents required for enrollment, such as your child's birth certificate, proof of address, or a record of immunizations.

 
Apply now
 

Planning ahead

Students typically attend these schools after graduating
Mesa Middle School
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

920 West Tefft Street
Nipomo, CA 93444
Website: Click here
Phone: (805) 474-3790

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare
ADVERTISEMENT