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GreatSchools Rating

Samuel Kennedy Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 933 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

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

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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4 reviews of this school


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Posted April 2, 2012

the school is not welcoming we moved in the area in oct.2011 and i have ask the teachers for help for my child scent they told me he was behind and they said they dont have time i had to pay someone else the princple also seem that she dont care about the family or student she the first one out at 2pm when school out i am change my children to a different school!but there is 1 or2 teachers that do care they need a better leader a change some of the staff.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 27, 2005

My child has done well and is at the top of her class. However, I would like to see more extracurricular activities offered. Music is something she is very interested in and I wish she had the opportunity to be introduced to instruments of all kinds. As a parent I would have no problem contributing time and/or funds to her interests in music and art. I would also like to see the dress code inforced. I think the students should be wearing uniforms.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 20, 2005

District academic curriculum. No music and art. Sports for grades 5 and 6. Minimal parent involvement.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted April 20, 2004

Good teachers. However, the school tends to reward lower achieving students who make an improvement better than they reward children who fight like heck to maintain high scores and A and B grades over the duration of their enrollment in the school. The school is clean. Good principal. Poor communication between school and parents sometimes. We get notes announcing minimum days the day after my kid has the minimum day. One teacher pushes her political agenda on the 6 graders which is inappropriate. Otherwise really good teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

The API reflects year-over-year schools performance based on STAR test score results from spring 2012.

This school's
API score

718

Change from
2011 to 2012

-19

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

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

This school's
API score

718

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

-19

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)

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.

127 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
41%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
45%

2009

 
 
40%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

128 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
52%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
60%

2009

 
 
44%
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.

131 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
23%

2011

 
 
28%

2010

 
 
23%

2009

 
 
18%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

130 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
43%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
43%

2009

 
 
33%
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.

129 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
41%

2011

 
 
38%

2010

 
 
43%

2009

 
 
33%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

129 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
41%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
46%

2009

 
 
43%
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.

131 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
38%

2011

 
 
33%

2010

 
 
35%

2009

 
 
28%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

132 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
32%

2010

 
 
37%

2009

 
 
36%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

132 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
34%

2011

 
 
40%

2010

 
 
31%

2009

 
 
20%
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.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
34%

2011

 
 
38%

2010

 
 
37%

2009

 
 
34%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

99 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
43%

2011

 
 
40%

2010

 
 
43%

2009

 
 
47%
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%
Females45%
Males37%
African American47%
Asian65%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino32%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged41%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability43%
English learner35%
Fluent-English proficient and English only52%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate37%
Parent education - high school graduate44%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)52%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state24%

Math

All Students52%
Females52%
Males52%
African American41%
Asian57%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino52%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged52%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability54%
English learner47%
Fluent-English proficient and English only60%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate57%
Parent education - high school graduate43%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)76%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state31%
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 Students23%
Females26%
Males18%
African American17%
Asian29%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino23%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged22%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability24%
English learner19%
Fluent-English proficient and English only26%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate15%
Parent education - high school graduate24%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)33%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state27%

Math

All Students43%
Females41%
Males46%
African American18%
Asian52%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino47%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability46%
English learner49%
Fluent-English proficient and English only35%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate36%
Parent education - high school graduate44%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)39%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
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

English Language Arts

All Students41%
Females43%
Males39%
African American44%
Asian48%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino36%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged41%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disability0%
Students with no reported disability45%
English learner16%
Fluent-English proficient and English only59%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate36%
Parent education - high school graduate39%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)57%
Parent education - college graduate36%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state46%

Math

All Students41%
Females40%
Males40%
African American39%
Asian52%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino34%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged40%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disability0%
Students with no reported disability44%
English learner25%
Fluent-English proficient and English only51%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate33%
Parent education - high school graduate37%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)52%
Parent education - college graduate64%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state31%
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 Students38%
Females40%
Males35%
African American38%
Asian35%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino39%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged37%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability40%
English learner19%
Fluent-English proficient and English only55%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate39%
Parent education - high school graduate35%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)42%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state33%

Math

All Students39%
Females33%
Males45%
African American44%
Asian55%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino35%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged39%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability40%
English learner26%
Fluent-English proficient and English only52%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate40%
Parent education - high school graduate38%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state22%

Science

All Students34%
Females22%
Males43%
African American31%
Asian32%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino36%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged33%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability35%
English learner18%
Fluent-English proficient and English only48%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate31%
Parent education - high school graduate41%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state17%
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 Students34%
Females34%
Males34%
African Americann/a
Asian26%
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 disability36%
English learner8%
Fluent-English proficient and English only43%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate40%
Parent education - high school graduate33%
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 state18%

Math

All Students43%
Females39%
Males49%
African American9%
Asian39%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino50%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability45%
English learner33%
Fluent-English proficient and English only47%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate45%
Parent education - high school graduate48%
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
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 48% 49%
Asian 19% 8%
African American 17% 7%
Multiple or No Response 6% 3%
White 6% 28%
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 149%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 294%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 64% 85%
Hmong 14% 1%
Vietnamese 7% 2%
Cantonese 6% 2%
Hindi 2% 0%
Punjabi 2% 1%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 1% 1%
Khmer (Cambodian) 1% 0%
Mien (Yao) 1% 0%
All other non-English languages 0% 1%
Cebuano (Visayan) 0% 0%
Lao 0% 0%
Marshallese 0% 0%
Rumanian 0% 0%
Tongan 0% 0%
Urdu 0% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 19N/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

School basics

School start time
  • 8:10 am
School end time
  • 2:30
School Leader's name
  • Clarice Hespeler
Special schedule
  • Year-round
Fax number
  • (916) 383-0242
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Volleyball
Girls sports
  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
School leaders can update this information here.

School culture

Dress Code
  • Dress code
Parent involvement
  • We continue to provide opportunities to our parents and community to be involved in school events--back to school nights, open house nights, harvest festival, kennedy talent show, multicultural fair, bring your parents to school days, weekly adult esl classes and monthly parent education meetings.
School leaders can update this information here.

Apply

To learn more about enrolling, please call the school.
 

TIP: Don't forget to ask about documents required for enrollment, such as your child's birth certificate, proof of address, or a record of immunizations.

 
 

Planning ahead

Students typically attend these schools after graduating
James Rutter Middle School
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

7037 Briggs Drive
Sacramento, CA 95828
Phone: (916) 383-3311

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