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GreatSchools Rating

Highlands Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 643 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

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

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Parent involvement

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6 reviews of this school


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Posted April 25, 2010

I have been teaching at Highlands Elementary for 4 months but was a special Ed aide there before earning my teaching credential. I can tell you that the staff have been very friendly and go above and beyond their duty to help each child reach their full potential. The principal truly loves children and expects a caring staff. He is very in tune with the community, families, teachers and students so that everyone involved can grow and be successful. My daughter attended Highlands and had a great experience. Her teachers gave her the tools that have made her a success in high school.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted February 1, 2010

I have had 4 children go through Highlands and they are doing very well. the staff is top notch and I must say the playground behavior is the best in the district. My children have attended other schools in the district since we moved to another neighborhood and we miss Highlands very much.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 11, 2008

This is a great school. The staff is amazing despite all the obstactles they are faces with. There are so many ooportunites for parents to get involved, its just a shame more don't. Volunterring at Highlands is a great opportunity to get involved in your childs education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 2, 2006

This school has the hardest working teachers! Not only are they teaching to standards, but are trying to make it fun for their students. It is a shame there isn't more parent help. Great School!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 18, 2006

Although this school has a low level of parental involvement, it has great teachers and a fun environment.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted May 1, 2005

Students are challenged and there is a lot of parent involvement encouragement. Advanced students aren't always given the opportunity to continue to remain advanced. They are given the chance to attend additional classes, but their grades don't always show their skills. If a child can do more than others in his/her class, he/she will not be graded on that, just on what the class as a whole can do.
—Submitted by Amanda Grasp, 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

765

Change from
2011 to 2012

+31

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

2 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

2 / 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 its schoolwide API target for 2012.
  • This school has not yet 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

765

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

+31

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)

2 / 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)

2 / 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.

111 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
38%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

110 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
55%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
61%
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.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
35%

2011

 
 
25%

2010

 
 
31%

2009

 
 
22%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

104 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
48%

2011

 
 
45%

2010

 
 
45%

2009

 
 
39%
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.

107 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
51%

2011

 
 
41%

2010

 
 
45%

2009

 
 
39%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

108 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
54%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
49%

2009

 
 
34%
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.

85 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
40%

2010

 
 
32%

2009

 
 
33%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

89 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
46%

2011

 
 
30%

2010

 
 
27%

2009

 
 
25%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

85 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
31%

2011

 
 
34%

2010

 
 
24%

2009

 
 
25%
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 Students68%
Females79%
Males60%
African American55%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino72%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)62%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability72%
English learner71%
Fluent-English proficient and English only67%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate63%
Parent education - high school graduate65%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)80%
Parent education - college graduate60%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students71%
Females75%
Males68%
African American55%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino78%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)62%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Non-economically disadvantaged73%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learner75%
Fluent-English proficient and English only69%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate58%
Parent education - high school graduate61%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)89%
Parent education - college graduate70%
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 Students35%
Females39%
Males28%
African American14%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino40%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged29%
Non-economically disadvantaged52%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability34%
English learner41%
Fluent-English proficient and English only29%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate24%
Parent education - high school graduate24%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)46%
Parent education - college graduate58%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students48%
Females45%
Males52%
African American36%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino49%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantaged65%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability49%
English learner53%
Fluent-English proficient and English only44%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate32%
Parent education - high school graduate39%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)58%
Parent education - college graduate67%
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 Students51%
Females43%
Males60%
African American40%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino52%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)50%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Non-economically disadvantaged35%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability51%
English learner43%
Fluent-English proficient and English only57%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate47%
Parent education - high school graduate59%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduate73%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state33%

Math

All Students54%
Females45%
Males63%
African American43%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino58%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)42%
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantaged45%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability55%
English learner50%
Fluent-English proficient and English only57%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate57%
Parent education - high school graduate62%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)47%
Parent education - college graduate75%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state33%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students56%
Females67%
Males44%
African American45%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino52%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged51%
Non-economically disadvantaged75%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability57%
English learner17%
Fluent-English proficient and English only69%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate43%
Parent education - high school graduate43%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)52%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students46%
Females53%
Males39%
African American32%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino42%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged40%
Non-economically disadvantaged75%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability49%
English learner31%
Fluent-English proficient and English only52%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate31%
Parent education - high school graduate40%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)38%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students31%
Females38%
Males23%
African American18%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino34%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged29%
Non-economically disadvantaged38%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability31%
English learner4%
Fluent-English proficient and English only40%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate36%
Parent education - high school graduate26%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)14%
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

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 or Latino 46% 49%
African American 21% 7%
Multiple or No Response 16% 3%
Filipino 7% 3%
White 7% 28%
Asian 1% 8%
Pacific Islander 1% 1%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 136%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 272%N/A52%
Source: 1 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Source: 2 NCES, 2008-2009

Home languages of english learners

Language This school State average
Spanish 92% 85%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 3% 1%
All other non-English languages 1% 1%
Arabic 1% 1%
Punjabi 1% 1%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
Khmer (Cambodian) 0% 0%
Urdu 0% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 11N/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
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

4141 Harbor Street
Pittsburg, CA 94565
Website: Click here
Phone: (925) 473-2440

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