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GreatSchools Rating

Redwood Heights Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 327 students

 
 
Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 7 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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44 reviews of this school


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Posted January 31, 2013

I attended Redwood Heights Elementary, 1965-1971. My family moved out of Oakland in November 1971 when I was in the 6th grade. I was sorry to leave the school but I have many fond memories of the teachers and friends made there. I especially remember Mrs. Mickelson in Kindergarten and Mrs. Wallen in 1st and 2nd grade. Time well spent!


Posted November 14, 2012

RHS worked out for my now middle schooler. In retrospect there could have been more challenges academically. (This said after moving to private schools.) But it worked out. My experience with the second child was less than ideal. Challenges in administration, coupled with mutliple teachers during one grade and many families moving on and out of Oakalnd, has hit this school hard.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 13, 2011

I graduated from RHS and my brothers still go there. I went to 3 other elementary schools before I got to RHS and I loved it. We had awesome teachers, great students, fun lessons and plans, a beautiful library, and a wonderful campus in general. I am very proud to be a Redwood Heights Alumni. Go RHS!


Posted April 30, 2010

Love this school! Great teachers and community, it's how we make it work!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 29, 2010

very involved pta, great teachers and community
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 24, 2010

Great teachers! Committed parent group. Wonderful kids.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 21, 2010

We love this school! Great community of friendly, committed people!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 21, 2010

This school has a great staff each of whom really focusses on what is best for the students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2010

Lots of parent involvement with a strong PTA. Responsive, dedicated teachers and principal. A bright, clean, and stimulating campus. An excellent art program with a dynamic art teacher who is constantly beautifying the school with the children s art projects. My 2nd grade daughter loves Redwood Heights Elementary school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2010

Excellent teachers & staff that truly care, amazing community and involvement, RHS is an inspiring place for our children!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2010

Our school has a wonderful sense of community, excellent teachers, staff and a great Principal
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2010

Great school. I went there in the 1940's, my kids went there in the '70's and grandkids go there now. Teachers are wonderful and caring, terrific atmosphere for learning. Have always loved it.


Posted April 19, 2010

Excellent teachers, great parent involvment, goes the extra mile for all the kids.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 19, 2010

Community, enrichment programs, Teachers and a great administration make RHS my favorite school. RHS tries to ensure that all its students receive a quality education, including enrichment programs such as the arts, gardening, music and more.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 19, 2010

A great community school with wonderful teachers, hugs support, music, art, ecology, after school enrichment, a lot of parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 19, 2010

Excellent teachers, parent involvement, great after school enrichment, and a warm community.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 19, 2010

Parent involvement is great - between the dedicated principal, community spirit, arts program, PTA and Dads Club, and mostly great faculty, it's the best public elementary school in Oakland.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 19, 2010

Wonderful parent involvement, active PTA and Dad's Club, the new principal is really trying to foster a sense of school community. Band and music instructor is amazing. Wonderful arts program and gardening program. Afterschool enrichment programs are great and varied and the Redwood Heights Community center has a great, affordable afterschool program too. The student population is ethnically diverse.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 19, 2010

The parent involvement is excellent! The ART program is outstanding, Mz Claudia is such an asset to the school. I love that the RHS community is diverse.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 19, 2010

The faculty, staff and parents all work together to give the students the best education possible.
—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

905

Change from
2011 to 2012

-8

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

9 / 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 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

905

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

-8

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)

9 / 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.

60 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
96%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

60 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
79%

2009

 
 
100%
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.

44 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
94%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

43 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
93%
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.

57 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
87%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

56 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
74%
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.

47 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
97%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
82%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

47 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
76%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

47 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
91%

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

All Students65%
Females67%
Males60%
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)76%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability65%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only67%
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 graduate59%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate74%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students68%
Females65%
Males75%
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)76%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability69%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only70%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate71%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate69%
Parent education - declined to staten/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students79%
Females81%
Males75%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)81%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability81%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only78%
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 graduate88%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students88%
Females87%
Males92%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)95%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability88%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only88%
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 graduate88%
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 Students92%
Females91%
Males91%
African American91%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability91%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only91%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented90%
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 state90%

Math

All Students79%
Females71%
Males90%
African American73%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged79%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability78%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented78%
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 state78%
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 Students97%
Females100%
Males96%
African American92%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged100%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability98%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only98%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented97%
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 state100%

Math

All Students89%
Females78%
Males100%
African American69%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability89%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented92%
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 state88%

Science

All Students89%
Females83%
Males96%
African American69%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability89%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented92%
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 state94%
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 44% 27%
Black 16% 7%
Hispanic 14% 51%
Two or more races 13% 3%
Asian 11% 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 115%N/A54%
English language learners 25%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 50% 85%
Vietnamese 19% 2%
Cantonese 13% 2%
Arabic 6% 1%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 6% 1%
Portuguese 6% 0%
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 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

Teacher resources

Special staff resources available to students Librarian/media specialist(s)
Read more about programs at this school
Source: Manually entered by a school official.

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

Specific academic themes or areas of focus
  • Mathematics
  • Science
School facilities
  • Garden/Greenhouse

Arts & music

Specific academic themes or areas of focus
  • Arts (all)

Health & athletics

School facilities
  • Garden/Greenhouse
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Sara Stone
Is there an application process?
  • Yes
Fax number
  • (510) 531-6644

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Standards-based
Specific academic themes or areas of focus

Don't understand these terms?
  • Arts (all)
  • Environmental
  • Global
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Writing
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • None

Resources

Staff resources available to students
  • Librarian/media specialist(s)
School facilities
  • Garden/Greenhouse
  • Library
School leaders can update this information here.

Upcoming Events

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School culture

More from this school
  • Redwood Heights is located just south of the junction of 35th Avenue and Highway 13. The mission of our school is to support all students in becoming proficient or advanced critical thinkers who are well cared for within the community. We have a rich curriculum that includes a balanced approach to literacy, hands-on math and science, art, music, a school garden, ecology, and library. Our community is diverse socio-economically, linguistically, and racially, and includes a strong integrated special education program.
School leaders can update this information here.

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4401 39th Avenue
Oakland, CA 94619
Website: Click here
Phone: (510) 531-6644

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