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Simons Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 823 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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5 reviews of this school


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Posted June 17, 2008

Wonderful School. Many of the teachers are wonderful. All basic core classes are very well covered for both seventh and eighth grade as i have seen. Mr. Lu and Ms. Ruiz are wonderful math teachers, Ms. Mendez and Ms. Zirkle are fantastic Science teachers and have inspired me to move into a science career, Ms. Richardson and Ms. Williams are both great English teachers and have taught me to write very well structures essays, Mr Steven Donahue and Mr. William Donahue were both good teachers, I remember competing with friends with for the top position in class. Overall, this is a wonderful school that works the best possible with what it has. It's principal Mr Knowles Was great and also inspiring. Thank You, Sergio G.


Posted January 3, 2008

teacher are great and have learned many things from certain teachers.(mr.donahue and mrs.zirlke
—Submitted by a student


Posted January 24, 2006

This a school making consistent strides in student achievement
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted April 1, 2005

The principal is great and really cares about kids. The assistant counselor is a natural, and a great resource to students. Although, I would like to see some type of bully prevention programs. I also believe parents would be able to add much more to the school climate.
—Submitted by a staff


Posted February 11, 2005

It is a very well structured school. Many teachers are kind and understanding of students.
—Submitted by Jennifer, 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

710

Change from
2011 to 2012

+23

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

2 / 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 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

710

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

+23

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)

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.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
41%

2011

 
 
35%

2010

 
 
24%

2009

 
 
42%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
34%

2011

 
 
35%

2010

 
 
16%

2009

 
 
40%
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.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
37%

2009

 
 
37%
English Language Arts

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

293 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
49%

2011

 
 
37%

2010

 
 
34%

2009

 
 
32%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

293 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
42%

2011

 
 
22%

2010

 
 
18%

2009

 
 
17%
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.

256 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
20%

2011

 
 
19%

2010

 
 
9%

2009

 
 
14%
English Language Arts

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

284 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
33%

2009

 
 
33%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

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

27 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
4%

2011

 
 
2%

2010

 
 
5%

2009

 
 
0%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

26 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
42%

2010

 
 
36%

2009

 
 
n/a
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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

310 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
26%

2011

 
 
32%

2010

 
 
18%

2009

 
 
24%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

284 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
43%

2011

 
 
37%

2010

 
 
35%

2009

 
 
42%
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 Students41%
Females48%
Males35%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino40%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged42%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability42%
English learner12%
Fluent-English proficient and English only64%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate37%
Parent education - high school graduate43%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students34%
Females37%
Males30%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino35%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged34%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability34%
English learner13%
Fluent-English proficient and English only49%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate28%
Parent education - high school graduate30%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)44%
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

Algebra I

All Studentsn/a
Femalesn/a
Malesn/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with no reported disabilityn/a
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English onlyn/a
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students49%
Females58%
Males38%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino48%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged48%
Non-economically disadvantaged54%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability48%
English learner14%
Fluent-English proficient and English only65%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate45%
Parent education - high school graduate50%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)45%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state50%

Math

All Students42%
Females47%
Males38%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino42%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantaged31%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability42%
English learner17%
Fluent-English proficient and English only55%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate38%
Parent education - high school graduate45%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)34%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state47%
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 Students20%
Females27%
Males12%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino20%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged20%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability20%
English learner12%
Fluent-English proficient and English only24%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate17%
Parent education - high school graduate26%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)12%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state11%

English Language Arts

All Students39%
Females46%
Males32%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino39%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged39%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability40%
English learner12%
Fluent-English proficient and English only52%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate36%
Parent education - high school graduate42%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)43%
Parent education - college graduate36%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state38%

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students4%
Femalesn/a
Males0%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino4%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged4%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disability4%
Students with no reported disabilityn/a
English learner5%
Fluent-English proficient and English onlyn/a
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate0%
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Geometry

All Students65%
Females46%
Males85%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino61%
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged67%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with no reported disability65%
Fluent-English proficient and English only65%
Gifted and talented88%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students26%
Females24%
Males29%
African American18%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino26%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged27%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disability3%
Students with no reported disability29%
English learner7%
Fluent-English proficient and English only37%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented86%
Parent education - not a high school graduate23%
Parent education - high school graduate26%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)38%
Parent education - college graduate33%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state26%

Science

All Students43%
Females41%
Males45%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged44%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability44%
English learner25%
Fluent-English proficient and English only52%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduate39%
Parent education - high school graduate46%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)45%
Parent education - college graduate45%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state52%
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 93% 49%
Asian 3% 8%
African American 2% 7%
White 1% 28%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Filipino 0% 3%
Multiple or No Response 0% 3%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 147%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 291%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 97% 85%
Khmer (Cambodian) 2% 0%
Cantonese 0% 2%
Lao 0% 0%
Russian 0% 0%
Thai 0% 0%
Tongan 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 13N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 97%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

900 East Franklin Avenue
Pomona, CA 91766
Website: Click here
Phone: (909) 397-4544

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