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GreatSchools Rating

Yick Wo Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 263 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 2 ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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11 reviews of this school


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Posted March 21, 2013

Yick Wo is a small school with dedicated teachers (many have been there for eons) and a smart principal focussed on improving teacher collaboration and raising academic standards. If there's one thing that Yick Wo suffers from is discontinuity. It's confusing as a child (and parent) as the teaching philosophy, grading and expectations changes with every teacher. One teacher is all creativity and social emotional, the next back to basics, the next a really hard academically, kids end up feeling unprepared and the parents wonder: "hey, I thought my child was an A student, what happened?" The new focus on teacher collaboration and high expectations will hopefully create a clearer culture but it's hard to make changes with teachers who have had reasonable success. All in all these are good problems -- since it already offers kindness and conscientious focus on learning. There's art, music, and the PE coach who mentors many of the less academic boys. The one sour note is Playworks -- a 30K program paid for by the PTO -- that controls recess with a humorless fixation on rules, limiting free play and real physical exertion. Maybe it's the coach, but it doesn't work.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 18, 2013

Yick Wo has lost its special feeling over the past two years. The new Principal is not experienced and it shows. The school is closing next year for at least one year and maybe more years and parents have not received any details on how this will affect their children. It still has several excellent teachers and overall is a good school. There is still less than one hour a week for PE but Coach Robinson is great with the kids.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 9, 2012

Yick Wo gives public schools a great name! It is a small neighborhood school with a wonderfully diverse student population. The principal is enthusiastic and responsive; the teachers are excellent and foster a love of learning; there are many very involved parents who raise funds for programs like SF Opera partnership, SF Ballet partnership, art classes, Playworks, PE and more. The only thing differentiating it from a private school is the facility which is about to be greatly improved. I know parents with children in SF private schools who wish they had the community feel and programming of Yick Wo.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 6, 2010

This is a small, exceptional school with the winning combination of great leadership and committed, experienced, and caring teachers. The academics are top-notch, and the PTO raises the funds to have physical education, art, and music for every class. The parents are very involved, and the student body is diverse. You can't go wrong at Yick Wo -- both my children attended here (one still does) and they are enthusiastic learners, for which I give the school a lot of credit.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 16, 2010

This is school is amazing. It's diverse, the parents are very involved, the neighborhood community is strong. We feel so lucky that both our children are spending their elementary years here with teachers I could have only dreamed of when I was young. It's been a financial salvation for us, as we get to afford in our wonderful Russian Hill neighborhood, give our kids an amazing childhood in the City, and be a part of a tight community.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 9, 2009

It's a great neighborhood with wonderful enrichment programs for the kids.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 25, 2009

I don't get why Great Schools ranks it only an 8. It should be at least a 9. The test scores are higher than Grattan and Rooftop. The amenities and school grounds are far better than either of those schools. Plus, the principal is superb. The kids are doing great, there is a tight community. Art? Poetry? PE? Smallest class size? Great diversity? All sorts of things other schools dream of. So again, I ask, why is our school only ranked an 8?
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 8, 2008

We transferred our child from a top private school, and Yick Wo is better. Our child is happier, the class size is smaller. I am stunned that public schools can deliver at this level. The teachers are highly educated and passionate professionals who go out of their way to create a wonderful learning environment. The facilities are a dream, and squeaky clean and safe; they could film a sitcom here. This has been a friendly neighborhood school, in an ideal SF location, but my daughter takes the bus across town and loves it. Focus on art, poetry, ballet. PTO is very active, building gardens and making sure there are lots of field trips. The racial balance of the class looks more like San Francisco than any other school I toured. Come by and see for yourself, and you'll put Yick Wo at the top of your lottery form next year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 5, 2006

My son just started kindergarten here and we couldn't be happier. His teacher is fantastic, he is learning rapidly, the classroom is creative and full of energy, and the parents and staff at the school are friendly and helpful.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 27, 2005

We have been extremely happy with Yick Wo school, which our son attends. His teachers are experienced, effective and innovative. It is a small school with genrally low class sizes and a good sense of community. We feel that our son has received an excellent education in a safe and supportive atmosphere.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 9, 2004

This is a warm and caring school with an active Parent Teacher Organization. The school community works well to provide students with many extra programs (music, dance, field trips, camping and outdoor education) plus are strong academically.
—Submitted by a teacher


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

918

Change from
2011 to 2012

+13

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

9 / 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

918

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

+13

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)

9 / 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.

44 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
75%

2009

 
 
59%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

44 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
82%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 48% in 2012.

41 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
51%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
59%

2009

 
 
47%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

41 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
71%
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.

43 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
66%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

42 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
79%
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.

32 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
75%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

33 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
86%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

32 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
67%
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 Students91%
Females96%
Males86%
African Americann/a
Asian90%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantaged92%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability95%
English learner88%
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate91%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students84%
Females83%
Males86%
African Americann/a
Asian86%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)87%
Economically disadvantaged79%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability90%
English learner73%
Fluent-English proficient and English only100%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate91%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
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 Students51%
Females68%
Males36%
African Americann/a
Asian47%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)64%
Economically disadvantaged36%
Non-economically disadvantaged68%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability53%
English learner29%
Fluent-English proficient and English only67%
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 graduate54%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students70%
Females74%
Males68%
African Americann/a
Asian73%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)71%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged79%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability71%
English learner59%
Fluent-English proficient and English only79%
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 graduate69%
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 Students83%
Females86%
Males82%
African Americann/a
Asian85%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged81%
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability86%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented92%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate86%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate85%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students92%
Females95%
Males91%
African Americann/a
Asian96%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged97%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability93%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate100%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate83%
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 Students91%
Females87%
Males94%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged83%
Non-economically disadvantaged100%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability90%
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students91%
Females93%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantaged84%
Non-economically disadvantaged100%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability90%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only90%
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students87%
Females87%
Males88%
African Americann/a
Asian86%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantaged83%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability87%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only86%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)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
Asian 55% 8%
White 24% 28%
Multiple or No Response 9% 3%
African American 5% 7%
Hispanic or Latino 4% 49%
Pacific Islander 2% 1%
Filipino 1% 3%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 148%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 263%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
Cantonese 77% 2%
Arabic 5% 1%
Spanish 5% 85%
All other non-English languages 2% 1%
Hindi 2% 0%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 2% 1%
Chaozhou (Chiuchow) 1% 0%
Hebrew 1% 0%
Japanese 1% 0%
Portuguese 1% 0%
Russian 1% 0%
Toishanese 1% 0%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
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 14N/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

Teacher resources

Special staff resources available to students Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
Read more about programs at this school
Source: Manually entered by a school official.

Arts & music

Music
  • Instrumental music lessons
Performing and written arts
  • Poetry

Language learning

Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular ESL/ELL needs

Health & athletics

Staff resources available to students
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 9:30am
School end time
  • 3:30pm
School Leader's name
  • Stephanie Young
Is there an application process?
  • Yes
Fax number
  • (415) 749-3543

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Standards-based
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular ESL/ELL needs

Resources

Staff resources available to students
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • Difficult street parking. Muni: 20, 30
School leaders can update this information here.

Arts & music

Music
  • Instrumental music lessons
Performing arts
  • Poetry

Yick Wo Elementary School Afterschool Program (ExCEL Program) (after school program)

Operated by
  • Chinatown YMCA
Days offered
  • Monday
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Friday
Is enrollment limited to students who attend the school?
  • Yes
Is there a fee for the program?
  • No
Website
Phone number
  • (415) 576-9622
School leaders can update this information here.

Apply

 

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.

 
Apply now
 

Planning ahead

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

2245 Jones Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
Website: Click here
Phone: (415) 749-3540

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