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American Lakes Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 487 students

 

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Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

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

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Parent involvement

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9 reviews of this school


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Posted March 24, 2010

This school is small with a very involved principal and teachers who work as a well-blended team who meet the needs of the challenged and gifted students. Sstudents are closely monitored and this team teachers-principal have created their own local assessments to measure students. The school motto is 'Failure is not an Option, and they really challenge themselves to live this every day. All what parents need for their children can be found here.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 6, 2009

My children just started at this school coming from H.Allen Hight, (a brand new school) and I have to say that I am more impressed with this smaller (older) school. I have heard that previous years were quite a different experience, but with the addition of the new prinicpal I have nothing but great things to say. The academics are more challenging, the class sizes are much smaller as is the school. I feel as if my children are not swallowed up in the gigantic school size/classrooms any more. The staff is a little more mature in teaching experience and even the secretary at the front office make it her mission to have you feel welcomed and informed as a new family member of the school. I am excited my children have become Eagles of American Lakes and their excitment to learn has been evident ever since the move. Thanks A.L.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 20, 2008

I love the teachers here. The rsp teacher Mrs. Nakahara, made my daughter who she is today. And that is what teaching is supposed to be.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 31, 2006

My 3rd grade son has been a student at American Lakes since Kindergarten. When he first started I thought the teachers didn't really care (nor the former Principal). Now with all the new teachers and a Mr. K, the school is really turning around. The school scores went up this year due in part to more teacher and parent involvement. Also, the PTA has helped tremendously and we will continue to help wherever we can.
—Submitted by Ambreen, a parent


Posted April 11, 2006

Modearte rating for the Special Education program. Teachers really care but it's not a strong learning program. No extra curricular activities offered other than the after scool programs offered through the City Rec programs.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 9, 2005

I feel the overall quality of this school is very poor. I can't speak very highly of the principal. My kids never liked her. I feel it's been wasted educational years for them at this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 3, 2004

I have a 1st grade granddaughter at American Lakes. She has had a wonderful year. It is so vital important that parents play a role in their child's education. My granddaughter has had a wonderful 1st grade teacher, thanks to her teacher and her parents.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 9, 2003

American Lakes is a school that is continually growing and improving. Two years ago, nearly half the staff were recent hires and new to the district. The teachers and the principal are focused on doing what is needed to help all children learn and succeed. With recent district cutbacks causing further roadblocks in curriculum development, teachers are finding new and creative ways to teach the CA Standards. I encourage all parents to come into the classrooms, visit, and ask any question that they have. Open communication is the key to our continued growth and improvement.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted May 7, 2003

I have a 3rd grader at this school he's been their 2 years his first year was okay but this year has been awful. The curriculum is uninspiring, no one is addressing the diversity issue besides the token multicultural night and the teacher he has now advised me that one reason things are so haphazard at the school is because in herwords' They have a lot of kids with issues'


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

714

Change from
2011 to 2012

-27

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 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

714

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

-27

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 58% in 2012.

86 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
28%

2011

 
 
40%

2010

 
 
45%

2009

 
 
59%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

86 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
34%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
43%

2009

 
 
68%
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.

63 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
30%

2011

 
 
32%

2010

 
 
36%

2009

 
 
31%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

63 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
54%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
51%
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.

62 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
57%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

61 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
65%

2009

 
 
64%
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.

62 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
40%

2011

 
 
28%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
31%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

62 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
34%

2011

 
 
35%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
43%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

62 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
28%

2011

 
 
24%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
34%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students28%
Females39%
Males20%
African American14%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino29%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged28%
Non-economically disadvantaged29%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability29%
English learner29%
Fluent-English proficient and English only27%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate18%
Parent education - high school graduate22%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)33%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students34%
Females39%
Males30%
African American24%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino38%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged34%
Non-economically disadvantaged33%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability35%
English learner43%
Fluent-English proficient and English only27%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate27%
Parent education - high school graduate35%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)33%
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

English Language Arts

All Students30%
Females47%
Males15%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino25%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged31%
Non-economically disadvantaged27%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability32%
English learner20%
Fluent-English proficient and English only39%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate0%
Parent education - high school graduate26%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)33%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students54%
Females57%
Males52%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino56%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged54%
Non-economically disadvantaged53%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability56%
English learner53%
Fluent-English proficient and English only55%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate25%
Parent education - high school graduate63%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)40%
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

English Language Arts

All Students50%
Females50%
Males50%
African American35%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino54%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged50%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability53%
English learner52%
Fluent-English proficient and English only49%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate50%
Parent education - high school graduate42%
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 Students56%
Females53%
Males58%
African American41%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged57%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability59%
English learner62%
Fluent-English proficient and English only53%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate58%
Parent education - high school graduate48%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)58%
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

English Language Arts

All Students40%
Females55%
Males26%
African American39%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino29%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged36%
Non-economically disadvantaged50%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability43%
English learner31%
Fluent-English proficient and English only43%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate41%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)41%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students34%
Females39%
Males29%
African American22%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino25%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged39%
Non-economically disadvantaged22%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability33%
English learner46%
Fluent-English proficient and English only31%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate22%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)35%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students28%
Females29%
Males26%
African American17%
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino17%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged32%
Non-economically disadvantaged17%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability28%
English learner15%
Fluent-English proficient and English only31%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate22%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)29%
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 48% 51%
Black 26% 7%
White 9% 27%
Two or more races 8% 3%
Asian 7% 11%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 2% 1%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 1%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 183%N/A54%
English language learners 223%N/A24%
Source: 1 NCES, 2010-2011
Source: 2 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Home languages of english learners

Language This school State average
Spanish 72% 85%
Hindi 6% 0%
Russian 6% 0%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 4% 1%
Hmong 4% 1%
Punjabi 3% 1%
Urdu 2% 0%
All other non-English languages 1% 1%
Gujarati 1% 0%
Samoan 1% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 21N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 6N/A11
Average years teaching 9N/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

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Sara O'Hara
Fax number
  • (916) 567-5509

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Title I Schoolwide program (SWP)
School leaders can update this information here.

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2800 Stonecreek Drive
Sacramento, CA 95833
Website: Click here
Phone: (916) 567-5500

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