Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

Willow Grove Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 714 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 2 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

5 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted December 13, 2012

I can't rave enough about how wonderful Willow Grove Elementary is. We specifically moved to this area so that our kids could be a part of the Poway Unified and I can tell you it was well worth it! Our daughter is in preschool here and will be enrolled here in Kindergarten next year. But even at the Preschool level you can really see the quality teachers and assistants. Ms. Smith is a great teacher and Ms. Rens is a wonderful principal that the kids really love. The teacher keeps parents involved sending out weekly emails of that week's activities and the principle sends out an email with a voicemail attachment as well. The school is modern and beautiful and very high tech. The parents seem really involved here. We have a website on Shutterfly that lists all the other parents and their phone numbers and email addresses. And you can send out group emails to the other parents if you want. When the class wanted to get a few Ipads for the classroom, the school district couldn't afford more than one so the parents stepped to the plate and donated funds so they could buy more. I truly believe this is what separates the PUSD from other school districts in San Diego.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 13, 2012

Proud to be part of the WGES family! Beautiful school campus and high technologies equipped class rooms allows teachers and kids create the unique relationship during the school hours and after. Great teachers, staff, principle ansamble will answer any parent's concern about their child. Wonderful sport and activities program. Highly recommended!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 4, 2009

The teachers and parents support is fantastic
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 3, 2009

Great Teachers. Lots of parent involvement and first rate technology.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2009

We are very pleased with the school leadership, the teachers, staff and community support. We have so many involved parents. The principal and our teacher are responsive and available. I'm thrilled this is our neighborhood school
—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

944

Change from
2011 to 2012

-3

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

7 / 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

944

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

-3

Change from 2011 to 2012
Comparing the API Growth to the Base shows whether or not this school’s test score performance improved between Spring 2011 and Spring 2012. The API ranges between 200 and 1000, with 800 as the statewide goal for all schools. Schools scoring below an 800 are given at least a 5 point target for the next year.
API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 10

API Statewide Rank (2011)
The API Statewide Rank ranges from 1 to 10. A rank of 10, for example, means that the school’s API fell into the top 10% of all schools in the state with a comparable grade range. The 2011 rank is based on results from tests students took in Spring 2011.
API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

7 / 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.

139 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
78%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

139 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
81%
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.

164 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
73%

2009

 
 
78%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

164 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
90%
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.

103 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
95%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

105 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
91%
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.

135 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
85%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

135 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
81%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

135 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
90%

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

All Students89%
Females91%
Males87%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino71%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)87%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disability77%
Students with no reported disability90%
English learner94%
Fluent-English proficient and English only87%
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 graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
Parent education - declined to state91%

Math

All Students93%
Females91%
Males93%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino86%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)91%
Economically disadvantaged82%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disability85%
Students with no reported disability93%
English learner94%
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
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 graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to state94%
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 Students79%
Females85%
Males74%
African Americann/a
Asian88%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino59%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)79%
Economically disadvantaged52%
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disability56%
Students with no reported disability81%
English learner57%
Fluent-English proficient and English only84%
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)39%
Parent education - college graduate84%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate87%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students90%
Females92%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asian96%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino76%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantaged71%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disability88%
Students with no reported disability91%
English learner77%
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented92%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)61%
Parent education - college graduate95%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
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 Students93%
Females94%
Males92%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged71%
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability93%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only96%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students88%
Females88%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)83%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability91%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only93%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate89%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
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 Students93%
Females94%
Males93%
African Americann/a
Asian92%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino87%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)95%
Economically disadvantaged83%
Non-economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disability92%
Students with no reported disability93%
English learner67%
Fluent-English proficient and English only97%
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 graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to state100%

Math

All Students93%
Females92%
Males94%
African Americann/a
Asian96%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino75%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)95%
Economically disadvantaged79%
Non-economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disability92%
Students with no reported disability93%
English learner74%
Fluent-English proficient and English only97%
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)100%
Parent education - college graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to state75%

Science

All Students91%
Females91%
Males91%
African Americann/a
Asian96%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged78%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disability92%
Students with no reported disability91%
English learner72%
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
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 graduate94%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
Parent education - declined to state92%
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 52% 28%
Asian 16% 8%
Hispanic or Latino 10% 49%
Multiple or No Response 10% 3%
Filipino 7% 3%
African American 2% 7%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1% 1%
Pacific Islander 1% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 116%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 212%N/A52%
Source: 1 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Source: 2 NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 8N/A11
Average years teaching 10N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 4%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 96%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

14727 Via Azul
San Diego, CA 92127
Website: Click here
Phone: (858) 674-6300

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare

Nearby schools

ADVERTISEMENT