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GreatSchools Rating

Fairmeadow Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 430 students

 
 
Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 2 ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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11 reviews of this school


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Posted March 3, 2012

Fairmeadow is a terrific elementary school. The new principal is well-liked to teachers and students, and very experienced. The teachers are engaged and hard-working. The parents are very involved. And the kids are generally great, or working hard at being great. This school is truly a community effort, and the community seems to recognize it's got a good thing going.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 31, 2011

We love this school! Academic wise , it is competent. But the best part is the people in it! The staff is very friendly and I have nothing but good things to say about our principal, Mr. Goddard. He knows all the students and their names and it makes a lot of difference for my kids. I feel good that my kids are educated at this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 8, 2011

Fairmeadow is an awesome school...My son really enjoys the school and has a great set of friends...I've enjoyed meeting other parents in my kids class and everyone seems fairly involved in the school. The good thing here is that one doesn't feel forced to participate or volunteer. The principal is really cool and the after school activities are also plentiful. Work load for the kids is very balanced and I love the fact that the curiosity of the child is aroused to develop learning...My son enjoys doing the projects a lot of which entail reading a book from the library and then drawing a picture and writing a few sentences about it. (This is in Kindergarten)...I highly recommend this school if you're looking for a right balance of work and play...
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 22, 2010

I wish I'd gone to this school. The academics so far have been outstanding, but there is so much more. Events include such fun as lunar (aka Chinese) new year (they have dragon!), a school play, student science and arts fairs, potlucks, and the legendary "Scaremeadow" haunted house. The library is first rate and the school hosts after school, on-campus programs such as French and Chinese classes. There is an outstanding after school child care facility, Besse Bolton Kids Club (BBKC) right on campus. Register early, because demand is high.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 22, 2010

My daughter is a 1st grader and loves this school. I do too. The teachers are great and the staff really loves their school and students. This is a true community school - easy to walk/ride to school, families know each other because we live near each other, school events are community events. The PTA is strong and parent volunteers do amazing things.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 2, 2009

Fairmeadow is an excellent school with great very experienced teachers. I have 3 children and have been at the school for 7 years already. There is a strong PTA with lots of family activities. Fairmeadow has a lovely library and its own science lab that all the children get to take classes there every week.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 15, 2008

I have been at Fairmeadow six years with our third child. It is a wonderful school with an excellent teachers. The school has a great and very diverse community. We love it here.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 30, 2006

Fairmeadow is an excellent school, encompassing all of Palo Alto's best! The level of education, small class size through fifth grade, and variety of enriching subjects offered is outstanding. The parent involvment is like no other as are the fun events suported by the PTA. Faairmeadow is a wonderful, diverse community. My family continues to be very happy there.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 4, 2005

Fairmeadow is a hidden treasure in Palo Alto. The teachers are absolutely dedicated, each student gets a lot of individual attention. There are detailed assessments and workplans for each student. Small class size according to PA standards. Diverse student body, not too many extracurricular activities offered.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 10, 2005

This school has great parent involvement and a diverse, bright group of students. My daughter has almost completed her kindergarten year and I am impressed by the dedication of her teacher and by the exposure she has gotten to so many different things. Her class learns 'by doing', whether it is planting a garden, raising butterflies, weekly cooking classes, or writing books about their experiences. She is excited about school and learning. I hope it continues!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 3, 2005

It wasn't a bad school, but I found that my mathematical skills sort of slipped after the fourth grade. Perhaps this is because that most elementary school teachers are liberal arts majors and not very strong in math.
—Submitted by a former student


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

953

Change from
2011 to 2012

+3

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 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

953

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)

10 / 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.

90 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
82%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

90 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
96%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
88%

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 48% in 2012.

105 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
75%

2009

 
 
76%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

105 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
79%

2009

 
 
78%
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.

70 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
94%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

70 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
87%
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.

71 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
98%

2009

 
 
84%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

71 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
83%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

71 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
83%
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 Students87%
Females91%
Males84%
African Americann/a
Asian89%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino82%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability88%
English learner82%
Fluent-English proficient and English only91%
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 graduate67%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate97%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students96%
Females96%
Males95%
African Americann/a
Asian96%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)95%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability96%
English learner93%
Fluent-English proficient and English only97%
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 graduate90%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate98%
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 Students85%
Females85%
Males84%
African Americann/a
Asian90%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)85%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability86%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
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 graduate82%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate87%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students91%
Females87%
Males93%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)87%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability92%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
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 graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
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 Students89%
Females86%
Males93%
African Americann/a
Asian94%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability92%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only95%
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 graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate89%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students89%
Females83%
Males93%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)84%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability92%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only90%
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 graduate89%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
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 Students93%
Females94%
Males92%
African Americann/a
Asian97%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)91%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged94%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability97%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only93%
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 graduate79%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students85%
Females88%
Males82%
African Americann/a
Asian86%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)87%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability89%
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 graduate63%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate98%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students86%
Females91%
Males82%
African Americann/a
Asian92%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)87%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability91%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only87%
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 graduate74%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate98%
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 43% 27%
Asian 39% 11%
Hispanic 10% 51%
Two or more races 4% 3%
Black 3% 7%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 1%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 118%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 26%N/A54%
Source: 1 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Source: 2 NCES, 2010-2011

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 18N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 10N/A11
Average years teaching 13N/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

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500 East Meadow Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Phone: (650) 856-0845

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