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William W. Orr Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 431 students

 

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Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
Based on 3 ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 1 rating

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Parent involvement

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11 reviews of this school


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Posted April 18, 2013

The kinder garden teacher is rude and has her favorites. She has little to no patience. The principal flip flops depending on who is around. The schools policy and MO make it almost impossible to get involved with your childs education unless you let them know ahead of time by calling for an appointment. They say you can volunteer to help out in class to check on your children but that is only if they don't choose someone else to be the volunteer first. You can complain but it won't do an good. They have a contract with the union.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 19, 2012

Personally I don't care for the school. I think the Principal has a high handed attitude and seems somewhat fake overall. I think the teachers for the most part are nice but necessarily friendly if that makes sense. The office staff & school assistants do their job. But I find that the education is lacking & that it's not as important for teachers to teach. They might be overwhelmed but children should be at school to learn & challenged which the school lacks. They teach what's required & if you know it already then you're bored. I do like that parents have access to their kids even if the teachers have said they don't like. Bottom line is the teachers act as if they are more than teachers. They act as if they are your child's parent as well & because of that it can leave a bad taste in your mouth.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 23, 2012

I am happy with this school. all three of my children have gone here, and now my grandchildren do to. Excellent teachers and community involvement. Small school and award winnng.. The only problem there now is the new pricipal, but hopefully she is only temporary.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 23, 2012

great school with wonderful teachers, great supporting staff and parent volunteers. Very welcoming feeling and friendly atmosphere. The office staff could use a refresher course in manner and the principal might need a course in professionalism, but other then that we are very happy with our boys education at william orr.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 13, 2010

My daughter came to this school as second choice, since Studebaker's kindergarten was over crowded. It was the best choice ever. She gained confidence through her teachers kind patient enthusiastic demeanor. She was on the Principals Honor Roll and earned 3 certificates throughout the year. It was the best way for her to begin her school experience. The teachers are great. The staff is wonderful., Parents are involved, and friendly and its a real community effort at this school. I am so pleased and proud to have found this school. It's also a Distinguished school of CA and has earned the national blue ribbon award.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 16, 2009

the school is nice most of the teachers are very nice the principle on the other hand is horrible! i'am not pleased with the way she treats the students teachers or parents when my daughter transfered to this school i felt like i was no longer able to be involved like i would like to be and that upsets me very much now i have another daughter who will be attending kindergarten and all i can hope is that this year will be better than the last. 'some' of the staff and the principle need a major attitude ajustment. but the teachers are great!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 16, 2009

I have three children at this school. I am trully happy with everything about this school. We moved to Norwalk specially for the school. My children have improved in every subject in the past year. The school has an excellent PTA.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 16, 2009

William Orr is a school full of teachers who truly care about their students. My daughter has made great progression since her first day of instruction. The staff is friendly and the PTA is great. Most parents do a good job in getting involved to create great change, if you want to make a difference at William Orr then get involved, PTA meetings are monthly and all parents are welcomed to contribute. -Ed C.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 8, 2008

I think that the Principal dose a very good and care for all students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 25, 2008

My daughter is in kindergarten and we couldn't be more pleased about her progress. Her teacher is very caring and is doing an excellent job with his students. Unfortunately, there isn't enough parent participation. The PTA is very small and innefective. They don't do a very good job in attracting others. As a result, the PTA doesn't raise very much money and the students are robbed of extra enriching programs that other schools have. It seems that this school is so concerned with meeting the state standards that fun and enrichment has gone out of the window.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 22, 2006

I like the school because it's clean. the teachers are great and also the workers. My daughter is happy and she in joys the school.
—Submitted by Liliana Sanchez, 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

848

Change from
2011 to 2012

+15

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

7 / 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

848

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)

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)

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.

56 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
48%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

56 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
52%

2009

 
 
60%
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.

59 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
41%

2010

 
 
43%

2009

 
 
35%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

61 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
64%
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.

49 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
68%

2009

 
 
64%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

49 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
72%

2009

 
 
80%
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.

73 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
62%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

75 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
78%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

73 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
62%
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 Students72%
Females81%
Males60%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged66%
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learner80%
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 graduate50%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)75%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students68%
Females68%
Males68%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability72%
English learner80%
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 graduate64%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
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 Students50%
Females51%
Males46%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino49%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged35%
Non-economically disadvantaged68%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability50%
English learner41%
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 graduate28%
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 Students61%
Females58%
Males64%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino60%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged47%
Non-economically disadvantaged78%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability64%
English learner59%
Fluent-English proficient and English only61%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate61%
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 Students67%
Females76%
Males59%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged68%
Non-economically disadvantaged64%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability70%
English learner36%
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 graduate83%
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

Math

All Students68%
Females67%
Males68%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged70%
Non-economically disadvantaged58%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability70%
English learner55%
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 graduate83%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)53%
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 Students68%
Females77%
Males60%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged68%
Non-economically disadvantaged65%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability67%
English learner35%
Fluent-English proficient and English only77%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduate57%
Parent education - high school graduate67%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)67%
Parent education - college graduate85%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students75%
Females88%
Males65%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino72%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged74%
Non-economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learner41%
Fluent-English proficient and English only84%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduate73%
Parent education - high school graduate68%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)78%
Parent education - college graduate85%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students75%
Females71%
Males79%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino78%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged77%
Non-economically disadvantaged70%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learner59%
Fluent-English proficient and English only80%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduate79%
Parent education - high school graduate67%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)83%
Parent education - college graduate85%
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 79% 51%
Two or more races 10% 3%
White 6% 27%
Black 3% 7%
Asian 2% 11%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 1%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 168%N/A54%
English language learners 224%N/A24%
Source: 1 NCES, 2010-2011
Source: 2 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Home languages of english learners

Language This school State average
Spanish 97% 85%
Vietnamese 2% 2%
Cebuano (Visayan) 1% 0%
Punjabi 1% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

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

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 9N/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

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Gina Andujo
Fax number
  • (562) 863-2518

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Title I Targeted Assistance program (TAS)
School leaders can update this information here.

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12130 South Jersey Avenue
Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (562) 868-7988

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