Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

Tomas Rivera Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 767 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

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

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

14 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted February 3, 2013

I really like this school. I have 3 children that attend. 2 of my children transfered from other schools, and I see a big difference in the issue on being bullied. They don't tolerate it, and they keep a close eye on any potential problems. I feel like the teachers are most definitely willing to have good communication with parents. My son struggles with math, and the last 2 school years, the teachers allow students to come in during lunch for additional help. Some will even let them come before class in the morning for additional help. I have a kindergartener at this school who is in special education for autism. Again, the special education staff is ready, willing and able to put in their very best. They are very compassionate, patient and understanding, not to mention qualified to handle a wide range of special education needs. They have made miracles happen with my daughter. The principal is amazing. A great communicater and leader. Great school all around. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2009

The principal here really cares about her students. There are a few great teachers and a few not so great. It seems hit and miss as my children have gone through this school. The special education department is lacking and inadequate. They also make the special education students go to another school for 5th and 6th grade, even if they are only in SDC. I would recommend this school for the child who is not in special education and needing resource. It helps if you are a stay at home mom and are able to be on campus a lot. All the parents are great, very involved and the children are wonderful!!! My children have made wonderful friends at this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 2, 2008

It's a curriculum driven school. I have noticed that some teachers expect the parents to do everything, including teach the class. My child has had two teachers that do nothing but sit behind a computer and hand out assignments, and then say 'here ya go.'
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 31, 2008

Wonderful parent/ teacher involvement with the students. Children are happy, academics and activities are great!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 10, 2008

This is our 3rd year at Rivera and we can't say enough about the school. Each day both of our daughters look forward to going to school! The teachers truly care about teaching and about each child's personal growth. Parent participation is excellent. School activities are in abundance. We highly recommend Rivera...excellent school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 10, 2008

I have two children in this school. We have had WONDERFUL teachers (Mrs. Hollenhorst and Mrs. Aznar). We have always kept homeschooling as an option since you hear horror stories about schools, but we decided to try one year at a time. We really love this school... so far. Principal is very strict and expects the best from staff and students!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 14, 2007

Great School all around. Special Ed. department is fantastic. Parent involvement is unreal, Volunteers actually have to be turned away because there are so many. Academic success is stressed greatly by principal and her staff. My kids are at a wonderful school!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 13, 2006

I have enjoyed my child's educational experience at Rivera. She has had excellent teachers. Parents are very involved in this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 29, 2006

Rivera is a good school which focuses on achieving goals. Students are encouraged to stretch beyond their comfort zones and really challenge themselves and to tax their brains. Parents are encouraged to help around the school and to really take a hands on approach in their children's education. Extracurricular activities, such as field trips and science camps are important parts of students enrichment. There are some teachers that go beyond the teaching of reading and writing and really spend time with their students to develop a strong sense of self that give children the power to grow. This school is the main reason that I turned down a great job - I did not want to have to move my children away from Rivera.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 6, 2006

This is a great school gifted with excellent teachers. The API score keep improving year after year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 8, 2006

This school provides an excellent environment for learning. The staff members strive for professionalism and their main concern is honestly how well each student is learning. A very well put together school that works together as a team to make both parents and child happy
—Submitted by a staff


Posted July 8, 2005

My daughter just finished Kindergarten and I was amazed at the level of academics taught in her classroom. She had an excellent teacher that promoted growth to potential in all the children. My daughter finished Kinder reading and writing and she is only 5 years old. I credit her progress to the excellent education received in combination with parental guidance.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 8, 2004

This is an outstanding school. All the teachers/administrators I have had the pleasure to meet were nothing less than outstanding. My daughters currently attend and have nothing but positive things to say about Rivera. Keep up the good work, and my wife, daughter and I thank each and everyone of you.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 3, 2003

I would like to see the school have more field trips for the students. More emphasis on music as the grades progress.


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

889

Change from
2011 to 2012

+17

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

8 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

5 / 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

889

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

+17

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)

8 / 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)

5 / 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.

107 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
74%

2009

 
 
72%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

107 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
82%
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.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
66%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
59%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
76%
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.

92 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
80%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

94 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
78%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2012.

98 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
66%

2009

 
 
64%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
70%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

98 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
66%

2009

 
 
66%
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 59% in 2012.

108 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
73%

2009

 
 
70%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

110 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
63%

2011

 
 
57%

2010

 
 
72%

2009

 
 
69%
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 Students74%
Females70%
Males78%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino65%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)77%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disability18%
Students with no reported disability81%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only78%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
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 graduate78%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate80%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students76%
Females68%
Males81%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino65%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)79%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disability18%
Students with no reported disability82%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)79%
Parent education - college graduate78%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate80%
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 Students74%
Females66%
Males81%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino66%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)76%
Economically disadvantaged60%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only78%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented93%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)72%
Parent education - college graduate68%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate86%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students89%
Females86%
Males92%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino91%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged87%
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability90%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only91%
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)88%
Parent education - college graduate82%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
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 Students84%
Females90%
Males79%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino88%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)78%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability85%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only86%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented94%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)84%
Parent education - college graduate77%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students89%
Females93%
Males87%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino88%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged88%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disability83%
Students with no reported disability90%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
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)92%
Parent education - college graduate87%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
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 Students80%
Females89%
Males64%
African American77%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino83%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)80%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Non-economically disadvantaged85%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability83%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only80%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate83%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)63%
Parent education - college graduate92%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate89%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students74%
Females77%
Males69%
African American31%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino83%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)80%
Economically disadvantaged68%
Non-economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability73%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only74%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate67%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)79%
Parent education - college graduate67%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate79%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students75%
Females77%
Males69%
African American69%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino73%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)77%
Economically disadvantaged63%
Non-economically disadvantaged79%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability78%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only74%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate83%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)67%
Parent education - college graduate80%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate74%
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 Students68%
Females72%
Males62%
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)76%
Economically disadvantaged38%
Non-economically disadvantaged77%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability70%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only71%
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)51%
Parent education - college graduate74%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students63%
Females60%
Males67%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino53%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)69%
Economically disadvantaged46%
Non-economically disadvantaged68%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability66%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only65%
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)47%
Parent education - college graduate64%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate84%
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 50% 28%
Hispanic or Latino 29% 49%
African American 8% 7%
Asian 6% 8%
Multiple or No Response 3% 3%
Filipino 2% 3%
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 16%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 223%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 75% 85%
Korean 5% 1%
Vietnamese 5% 2%
Arabic 3% 1%
Chaozhou (Chiuchow) 3% 0%
Tongan 3% 0%
All other non-English languages 2% 1%
Chaldean 2% 0%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 2% 1%
Samoan 2% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 25N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 12N/A11
Average years teaching 14N/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!

20440 Red Poppy Lane
Riverside, CA 92508
Phone: (951) 697-5757

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare
ADVERTISEMENT