Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

Thomas S. Hart Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 1139 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

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

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

Rate this school

Click on stars to rate
Please select a star rating for this school.
    Helpful reviews answer questions:
  • What do you think others should know?
  • What do you like?
  • How could your school improve?
    Review Guidelines
    GreatSchools won’t post reviews that contain:
  • Inappropriate language
  • Allegations of criminal conduct
  • Names of students, teachers or staff
1200 characters remaining
Please indicate your relationship to the school.
Please read and accept our Terms of Use to join GreatSchools.
Indicates a required field

27 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted April 18, 2013

It is our first year at Hart and I am most impressed with Music/Band Director Mr. A and math teacher Mr. Polon. I am only putting them first because these two people are really extraordinary. However the other teachers my son had are just as amazing - Ms. Smith for LA, Ms. Yang for Science, Ms. Jane Marker for Art, Ms. Boni for Home economics, Ms. Ottaway for french/spanish. Very nice scholl and environment. The only negative feedback i have is related to annual registration process - the line to get all the forms is tremendous, it took me 2 hours to complete registration and get my son's schedule.... there must be a better way to handle it?
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 17, 2013

This school has a great divide within it's staff and admin. Admin likes to sweep things under the rug. They have some great teachers there who do not get the support they need and have some teachers who should go find another line of work for all our childrens sake.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 19, 2012

amazing school! Learn so much their! amazing teachers and many activities! nice staff as well!


Posted April 28, 2010

Thomas Hart Middle School is led by a caring administration and teachers who really take pride in putting their students' best interests first.


Posted April 16, 2010

The services we provide to students and the strong commitment and collaboration among staff, students, and parents.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 16, 2010

Hart is the best! Great teachers, Great staff.


Posted April 16, 2010

Hart Middle is great middle school! Teachers, staff support academic excellence!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 16, 2010

The administartion and teachers are supportive and caring to students education and needs.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 16, 2010

The kids are awesome! The parents and administration are supportive! Also, I am lucky to be working with such a talented and caring group of teachers!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 16, 2010

The teachers, students and parents work well together to make this a positive learning environment for all.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 16, 2010

The teachers and administration are very supportive. Student education is top priority.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 15, 2010

The teachers at Thomas Hart Middle School care for each and every one of their students and make certain each one of them succeeds in their own special way.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 15, 2010

Because it's a great school with many extra activities and support groups for our students.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted April 15, 2010

Because its teachers care so much about their students and their future.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted April 15, 2010

Students, parents, and faculty all work together to help out and be a part of the team.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 22, 2008

this school is awesome. my sister and myself have gone through this school. many of the teachers are very useful and help you in what ever you need. Mr. Maher is an awesome principal and gives you help when you need it. all of the teachers offer help at least once a week. i am in eighth grade and i love it. i am a WEB leader and i am going to be in leadership next semester. i TA for Mrs. boni and it is very fun. I think that Ta is something that everyone should do. It is an awesome experience. i hope everyone has and will have an awesome time at this school because it is truly a wonderful school.
—Submitted by a student


Posted August 28, 2008

I love this school, Mr. Maher is the best principal, he's so kind and generous to his students and parents. These teachers are very intelligent, and my daughter loves it here. She's in 7th grade right now and she already likes all the classes she is taking.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 15, 2008

awesome school! It is one of a kind!
—Submitted by a student


Posted October 17, 2007

Four of my children have attended and or currently attending Thomas Hart Middle School ('Hart'). Hart is a school where the kids come first. I have never met a better Principal and Staff. I can't say enough good things about Principal Maher. He's one of a kind. He knows all of his students and if one of his former students come to him for help...he's there! A true Angel. The Teachers are hardworking and very skilled. I have observed many teachers at Hart reach out to struggling students and help them get back on the right track. This school is over the top! I've personally have attended and my older children have attended schools where the principal was just a warm body and the teachers could care less. My hope is that one day all schools will be like Hart Middle School! What a great place to go to school!
—Submitted by Victoria DeRossett, a parent


Posted September 25, 2007

I just moved here to Pleasanton and go to Hart as a 6th grader. I love Hart!! Mr Maher and staff, you're the best!
—Submitted by a 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

920

Change from
2011 to 2012

+13

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

4 / 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 did not meet all student subgroup API targets for 2012

This school's
API score

920

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

+13

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)

4 / 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 59% in 2012.

345 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
77%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

348 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
72%

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

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 86% in 2012.

85 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
100%

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
98%

2009

 
 
100%
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 62% in 2012.

335 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
87%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

247 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
65%

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

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 49% in 2012.

221 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
65%
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 59% in 2012.

356 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
77%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

The state average for General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards) was 32% in 2012.

47 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
32%

2011

 
 
29%

2010

 
 
8%

2009

 
 
6%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

85 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
99%

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
n/a
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

The state average for History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative was 52% in 2012.

362 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
73%

2009

 
 
69%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

355 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
80%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students85%
Females88%
Males83%
African American62%
Asian93%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino68%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)84%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disability44%
Students with no reported disability89%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only86%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate76%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)65%
Parent education - college graduate86%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
Parent education - declined to state85%

Math

All Students76%
Females78%
Males74%
African American54%
Asian96%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino35%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)71%
Economically disadvantaged46%
Non-economically disadvantaged79%
Students with disability30%
Students with no reported disability81%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only77%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate39%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)52%
Parent education - college graduate78%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
Parent education - declined to state60%
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

Algebra I

All Students100%
Females100%
Males100%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged100%
Students with no reported disability100%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only100%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
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 graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students92%
Females96%
Males88%
African Americann/a
Asian96%
Filipino91%
Hispanic or Latino77%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged63%
Non-economically disadvantaged94%
Students with disability52%
Students with no reported disability95%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only93%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate89%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)89%
Parent education - college graduate92%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students76%
Females74%
Males80%
African Americann/a
Asian81%
Filipino85%
Hispanic or Latino58%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)79%
Economically disadvantaged50%
Non-economically disadvantaged78%
Students with disability38%
Students with no reported disability79%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only77%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate65%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)73%
Parent education - college graduate75%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate83%
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

Algebra I

All Students64%
Females65%
Males61%
African American50%
Asian86%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino30%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)60%
Economically disadvantaged47%
Non-economically disadvantaged65%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability64%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only63%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented77%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)77%
Parent education - college graduate64%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate63%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students87%
Females92%
Males83%
African American93%
Asian93%
Filipino87%
Hispanic or Latino82%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)85%
Economically disadvantaged78%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disability33%
Students with no reported disability92%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented98%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate80%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)81%
Parent education - college graduate89%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students32%
Females27%
Males36%
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)48%
Economically disadvantaged33%
Non-economically disadvantaged29%
Students with disability13%
Students with no reported disability41%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only33%
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)29%
Parent education - college graduate31%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Geometry

All Students99%
Females97%
Males100%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged99%
Students with no reported disability99%
Fluent-English proficient and English only99%
Gifted and talented100%
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 graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students77%
Females79%
Males75%
African American60%
Asian90%
Filipino93%
Hispanic or Latino59%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)72%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged77%
Students with disability35%
Students with no reported disability81%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only77%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented98%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate60%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)64%
Parent education - college graduate77%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate85%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students93%
Females94%
Males92%
African American80%
Asian97%
Filipino100%
Hispanic or Latino85%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Non-economically disadvantaged94%
Students with disability66%
Students with no reported disability95%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only93%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate86%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)84%
Parent education - college graduate96%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
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 55% 28%
Asian 28% 8%
Hispanic or Latino 8% 49%
Filipino 3% 3%
African American 2% 7%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1% 1%
Multiple or No Response 1% 3%
Pacific Islander 1% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 13%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 25%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
Korean 32% 1%
Spanish 19% 85%
All other non-English languages 11% 1%
Russian 11% 0%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 8% 1%
Punjabi 5% 1%
Cantonese 3% 2%
Gujarati 3% 0%
Japanese 3% 0%
Taiwanese 3% 0%
Vietnamese 3% 2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 8N/A11
Average years teaching 9N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 100%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 4%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

4433 Willow Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Website: Click here
Phone: (925) 426-3102

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare

Nearby schools

ADVERTISEMENT