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GreatSchools Rating

Los Penasquitos Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 518 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 12 ratings

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77 reviews of this school


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Posted June 5, 2012

I cannot say enough about Los Pen. My son came from Sperckles in UC. That school was awful. Since coming to Los Pen he has flourished. The staff there, starting from the principal on down is COMMITTED to education. I didn't know how effective teaching could be until my son came here. He is in the Academy program and is getting the absolute BEST learning experience we could have hoped for. Every aspect of this school is above top notch. I cannot believe that any public school can be run this well but I guess when everyone is on the same page it DOES! Their focus on NO EXCUSES and a target of all students making it to college is amazing. Our son already talks about what he wants to do in college. This school should be held up as a standard all others should work to meet. We so much appreciate all that Los Pen has brought to our son's education and future. Thanks you
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 25, 2010

Los Penasquitos is a Title 1 school serving neighborhoods in the Poway Unified School District. Their philosphy of "The No Excuses University" promotes accountability of students, parents and educators alike. Within Los Pen, there is an academy program which offers increased school hours and school year to enhance educational success. I have met some of the most dedicated teachers at this school and am proud to be a parent of a student at Los Pen.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 19, 2010

This school is great with Academy Program
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 16, 2010

I love Los Penasquitos Elementary school because they emphasise the value of college education in the young minds and help them achieve the goal with their 'no excuses' philosophy.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 13, 2010

Los Pen is wonderful! It has made an impact in my son's life. Their caring, support, and strive for building responsible young people is amazing!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 12, 2010

Great school where teachers work together to help students enjoy learning.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 12, 2010

Los Pen has a great atention for kids. they develope in all the ways with activities that help to reinforce caracter in a friendly enviroment
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 12, 2010

Very good school and very dedicated teachers/staff.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 12, 2010

The teachers are incredibly dedicated to helping the kids grow.


Posted May 6, 2010

I love Los Pen because every classroom adopts a college to keep them focused on their future.Los Pen has an Academy like no other school has were the students are in school for one extra hour in school.And it's not just about the education, Los Pen has so many fun activities to have fun!!


Posted May 5, 2010

It's a place where teachers and staff are very nice and cares about the students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 3, 2010

My son went to the Academy for 4th and 5th grade and loved it! He leared a lot about being responsible for his actions and accountable for all of his work! Please keep the Academy going!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 3, 2010

I think it's great to start early to lead the children to think about going to college and about having a goal that is to go to college.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 1, 2010

There are many reasons why I love Los Penasquitos Elementary School. One of the reasons is because at Los Pen, each student, no matter what age, ethnicity, religion, or learning level, is given an equal opportunity to successfully educate themselves. Another reason I love Los Pen is because of the support they offer to students that are motivated to learn via the Academy. Yet another reason why I love Los Pen is because of the amazing staff, which gives each student that walks through their doors the chance to succeed in life. Another reason I love Los Pen is because starting in Kindergarten, they help each student put themselves on the path to higher education by having each classroom represent universities such as Kansas, Michigan State, San Diego State, Stanford, and the list goes on. This helps motivate each student to include gaining a higher education in their life goals. Go Los Pen!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 1, 2010

Awesome! Los Pen Academy saved my son's educational career!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2010

Los Pen teachers and staff are awesome - very dedicated. They are passionate about teaching...
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2010

Great Teachers and the learning environment is wonderful for kids!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2010

teachers and staff are very dedicated,accomodating and friendly....
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2010

teachers and staff are great with the kids,,,LOS PEN ROCKS.


Posted April 30, 2010

Best school for your children's education because of dedicated and caring teachers and staff.
—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

935

Change from
2011 to 2012

-1

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

10 / 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

935

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

-1

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)

10 / 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.

82 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
72%

2009

 
 
65%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

82 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
75%

2009

 
 
74%
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.

83 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
65%

2009

 
 
66%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

84 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
88%
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.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
91%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

97 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
94%
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.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
85%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
91%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
85%
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 Students88%
Females89%
Males87%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipino92%
Hispanic or Latino80%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Non-economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disability58%
Students with no reported disability93%
English learner86%
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
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)84%
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students86%
Females83%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asian92%
Filipino85%
Hispanic or Latino73%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Non-economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disability75%
Students with no reported disability89%
English learner79%
Fluent-English proficient and English only91%
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)89%
Parent education - college graduate93%
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 Students71%
Females74%
Males68%
African Americann/a
Asian69%
Filipino75%
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)80%
Economically disadvantaged60%
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability72%
English learner55%
Fluent-English proficient and English only84%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate54%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)83%
Parent education - college graduate78%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate83%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students88%
Females86%
Males90%
African Americann/a
Asian85%
Filipino88%
Hispanic or Latino79%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged85%
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability90%
English learner87%
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate86%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)83%
Parent education - college graduate91%
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 Students89%
Females94%
Males83%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipino93%
Hispanic or Latino64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability89%
English learner77%
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)94%
Parent education - college graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students89%
Females94%
Males86%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipino86%
Hispanic or Latino79%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)91%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability92%
English learner81%
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)81%
Parent education - college graduate91%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate96%
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%
Males78%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipino75%
Hispanic or Latino83%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)84%
Economically disadvantaged69%
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability88%
English learner70%
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)88%
Parent education - college graduate82%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students84%
Females90%
Males78%
African Americann/a
Asian93%
Filipino75%
Hispanic or Latino75%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)86%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability87%
English learner65%
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)81%
Parent education - college graduate82%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate96%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students88%
Females88%
Males88%
African Americann/a
Asian93%
Filipino80%
Hispanic or Latino92%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged74%
Non-economically disadvantaged94%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability90%
English learner77%
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
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

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 37% 28%
Filipino 22% 3%
Hispanic or Latino 16% 49%
Asian 12% 8%
Multiple or No Response 7% 3%
African American 5% 7%
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 136%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 240%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
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 32% 1%
Spanish 29% 85%
Farsi (Persian) 8% 0%
Vietnamese 6% 2%
Arabic 4% 1%
Albanian 2% 0%
Cantonese 2% 2%
Hindi 2% 0%
Russian 2% 0%
All other non-English languages 1% 1%
Japanese 1% 0%
Korean 1% 1%
Lao 1% 0%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 1% 1%
Serbo-Croatian (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian) 1% 0%
Hebrew 0% 0%
Khmer (Cambodian) 0% 0%
Kurdish (Kurdi, Kurmanji) 0% 0%
Mixteco 0% 0%
Pashto 0% 0%
Polish 0% 0%
Portuguese 0% 0%
Somali 0% 0%
Turkish 0% 0%
Urdu 0% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 23N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 11N/A11
Average years teaching 12N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 8%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 92%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

14125 Cuca Street
San Diego, CA 92129
Website: Click here
Phone: (858) 672-3600

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