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GreatSchools Rating

Montemalaga Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 455 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 2 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 25, 2011

This is a awsome school. - from a student who attended and graduated from Montemalaga as a 5th grader and loved it.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted February 1, 2011

My child started at Montemalaga in the fall and I LOVE this school, great teachers, great kids, great admin and great community.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 20, 2010

My children just started at Montemalaga this year. We transferred from another local school. We absolutely love it! Every parent and all the kids were warm and welcoming. The PTA is excellent, as well.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 21, 2009

My son came to this school as a forth grader in fall 2008. He loved this school instantly! The 4th grade teachers worked as a team and it turned out really great. Mrs.Tarango is the most loving and caring teacher I've ever seen. My son even got 100% in Math for his STAR test. I'm glad we came to Montemalaga school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 8, 2009

From our first experience at this school we have been pleased. The principal is friendly and involved and sets a positive tone for the school. We believe our son has been prepared for middle school by having regular writing assignments as classwork and home work. The curriculum is well rounded and includes art during the school day, even in 5th grade.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2009

Both of my sons attend Montemalaga. We have really enjoyed being part of this warm and friendly school. The PTA is very involved in working with the teachers and the principal to bring enriching and fun experiences to the students. There are many excellent teachers at this school who care about the progress of the students. Mrs. Stewart is a very approachable principal with a willingness to problem solve. One exciting thing happening at the school this year is that our new library is being built after 5 years of planning. It should be completed in the fall.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 31, 2007

I am very unhappy with the amount of 'teaching to the test' that has been taking place within this school. I felt that my child spent most of his time taking tests and practicing test taking skills. I found the science curriculum to be lacking. All projects and hands on experiments were given as homework for the parents to teach their children. Actually a lot of teaching takes place at home. There is a huge amount of homework every day which makes up for all the lost time in the classroom teaching test taking skills. You will also need to spend a lot of money on tutoring, music, art and athletic activities outside of school. Your child won't get this at Montemalaga.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 4, 2006

There is an excellent example of a public school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 9, 2003

I have had two children at Montemalaga; the youngest is a 5th grader this year. Patti Stewart, the principal, is a hard-working professional who is approachable and responsive to all issues, concerns, and suggestions. She provides the leadership to a campus that is nurturing and friendly while also producing some of the highest test scores in the state. Mrs. Stewart is an educator above all else and instills that focus on her staff and teachers. The teachers work together as a team to provide a quality education to every student. After being at two other elementary school prior to Montemalaga, our family could not have asked for more from our elementary school experience.
—Submitted by Karen Bird, a parent


Posted September 28, 2003

I have had very positive responses to concerns I have shared with teachers and administrators. The principal was directly involved in resolving a bullying problem that the school staff reported. I was very pleased with the 'teaching' approach the principal used with the bullying students and their targets.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 17, 2003

My child went to Montemalaga elementary school for two years. During that time, our child had two hours of homework, mon thru fri. The teachers do not have a whole lot of experience either,(Parents beware! You'll be doing most of the teaching at night with homework) Parents should be commended for their involvement, dedication and hard work. However, it seems the staff will go to great lengths to brag and compliment themselves, for things they have not earned yet! Instead they should be counting their blessings for having such awesome parents. Without that, the school spirit would not survive! Also, when you have a bullying problem and you go to the principal (after several mo.'s of bullying)instead of help, ideas, suggestions, she will tell you that all children make fun! Parents will have to take off work to make sure their kid isn't being harrassed. At lunch, we noticed they are short on staff, only two aides to watch kids for upper and lower grounds, (Kids, you're on your own!)
—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

951

Change from
2011 to 2012

-10

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

951

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

-10

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.

60 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
96%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

60 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
97%

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.

73 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
86%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

74 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
95%
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.

73 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
94%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

74 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
97%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
95%
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.

99 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
93%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

99 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
94%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
95%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

99 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
94%
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 Students92%
Females97%
Males87%
African Americann/a
Asian89%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability93%
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 graduate84%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate97%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students92%
Females97%
Males87%
African Americann/a
Asian89%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability93%
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 graduate89%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students78%
Females79%
Males77%
African Americann/a
Asian90%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)74%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged78%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability82%
English learnern/a
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate65%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate88%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students93%
Females91%
Males95%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability96%
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 graduate83%
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 Students93%
Females96%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asian86%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)97%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability94%
English learnern/a
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 graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students97%
Females98%
Males96%
African Americann/a
Asian97%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)97%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability99%
English learnern/a
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 graduate96%
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 Students92%
Females96%
Males88%
African Americann/a
Asian91%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disability64%
Students with no reported disability95%
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 graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students94%
Females98%
Males90%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged94%
Students with disability73%
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 graduate90%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate98%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students87%
Females85%
Males90%
African Americann/a
Asian88%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disability64%
Students with no reported disability91%
English learnern/a
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 graduate83%
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

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 54% 28%
Asian 33% 8%
Multiple or No Response 7% 3%
African American 2% 7%
Filipino 2% 3%
Hispanic or Latino 2% 49%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 110%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 21%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
Japanese 48% 0%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 15% 1%
Korean 12% 1%
German 8% 0%
Spanish 8% 85%
All other non-English languages 2% 1%
Arabic 2% 1%
Cantonese 2% 2%
Taiwanese 2% 0%
Vietnamese 2% 2%
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 9N/A11
Average years teaching 11N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 100%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1121 Via Nogales
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Website: Click here
Phone: (310) 378-5228

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