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GreatSchools Rating

Piedmont Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 998 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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21 reviews of this school


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Posted May 5, 2010

It's all about the people who work there. They are great.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 4, 2010

Piedmont is a great schools with teachers who care about their students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 3, 2010

Diverse school with caring staff granting many opportunities to every child.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 8, 2009

API has not improved over the years. School staff themselves need lots of improvement. I think the school district and school board should take responsibility for problems in the school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 9, 2009

We have some exceptional teachers, such as in the music program, who really care about teaching the kids educational skills and life skills
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 28, 2009

this school is nice, but it would be better if we students get more materials to fix up the school and learn
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 9, 2008

The school is awsome teachers are cool i like you shold come too safe and acceptible place to lern
—Submitted by a student


Posted June 23, 2008

It was horrible, to be honest. I'm finally graduating from this school. Most of the teachers were either nice but couldn't teach, or taught but were ridiculously mean. The only teacher I ever had that was both nice and effective as a teacher was Mr. Braden.
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 2, 2008

This school is awesome... It was my first year at PMS.. I find it easy to make friends with... The teachers were so awesome... I already got friends on the first day of school... ILOVEPMS!!!
—Submitted by a student


Posted February 7, 2008

This school is great. It does not lack of spirit or leadership at all. The teachers are great, and we have great educations. There's not much homewotk, but tons of learning.
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 5, 2007

This school is the best, everyones nice and the teachers are so caring and excellent at what they do.
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 8, 2007

Piedmont Middle is suffering from a lack of leadership: I think we've seen five principles in the two years my son has attended. Teacher quality is mixed. Some are engaged, some waiting to retire.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 31, 2006

I commend the teaching staff at Piedmont Middle School. My son entered into Piedmont Middle with Star test scores in the 'Below Basic' skill level for most of the test categories. He just entered Piedmont High School this year and just received his Star test scores for 8th grade and scored in the 'Advanced' level for most of the categories. We, as his parents are extremely proud of this improvement, but must credit the Teachers of Piedmont Middle for his achievement. Thanks PMS Teachers......Mrs. S. McNeil, Mrs. A. Avery, Mr. G. Gairaud, Mrs. G, Ausman and a special thanks to his counselor Mrs. J. Grumm
—Submitted by Tom Horiye, a parent


Posted May 12, 2006

The quality of the academic programs were awesome the first year my daugter attended PMS this in the year of 2004-2005. The quality of academics from the year: 2005-2006 is not all that great anymore it is very mediocre and very disappointing in the quality of teaching there now. The availability of music was excellent in the year of 2004-2005, but in the year of 2005-2006 it is very dry and not so good. The number of students versus the number of teachers is overwhelming. The environment at the school is not as good as it was in 2004-2005 that has gone down hill extremely. The parent involvement has really taken a toll and gone down. The whole environment and academic level to me has go down significantly and I very disappointed in all that is happen this year especially in the last 4-5 months of the school year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 7, 2006

outstanding academics--specifically math classes. music program is strong. epectations for success and schievment are high.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 19, 2006

I love the music program here. It made me a music addict and I have great appreciation for it. The teachers were very caring and the students so loving towards each other. Go Piedmont!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 14, 2005

Great social school. Great for new studentss moving in the middle of a school year. Great eigth grade teachers. My favorite is McNeil. She is great with students and has a creative way of teaching.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 27, 2005

Offers a variety of school activities. Great academic porgrams with excellent teaching staff.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 17, 2005

Piedmont is diverse ,however it does not address the needs of the African American Students at all. The teachers are lacking in the math department and the administrators are so hung up dress code violations, that they have lost their focus on meeting the academic needs of the minorities that may need extra support and guidance.So thankful I can afford to send my kids to a provate school next year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 22, 2004

I am a parent to a special education student attending Piedmont Middle. her primary teacher, Ms. Debbie Locke, is outstanding. My daughter is learning and enjoying her time at school when, previously, she was reluctant to even attend. Thank you Debbie!
—Submitted by Louise mccarthy, 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

793

Change from
2011 to 2012

+5

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

6 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

1 / 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 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

793

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

+5

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)

6 / 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)

1 / 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 59% in 2012.

254 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
44%

2009

 
 
48%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

258 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
43%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
36%

2009

 
 
32%
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

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 86% in 2012.

18 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
95%

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
95%
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 62% in 2012.

243 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
60%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

223 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
48%

2011

 
 
40%

2010

 
 
44%

2009

 
 
38%
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

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 49% in 2012.

136 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
63%
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 59% in 2012.

304 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
60%

2009

 
 
56%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

The state average for General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards) was 32% in 2012.

130 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
9%

2011

 
 
41%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
31%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

36 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
97%

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
100%
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

The state average for History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative was 52% in 2012.

316 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
53%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
54%

2009

 
 
51%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

315 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
67%

2009

 
 
57%
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 Students60%
Females67%
Males51%
African Americann/a
Asian68%
Filipino65%
Hispanic or Latino49%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)75%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Non-economically disadvantaged65%
Students with disability21%
Students with no reported disability62%
English learner25%
Fluent-English proficient and English only69%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented84%
Parent education - not a high school graduate42%
Parent education - high school graduate36%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)67%
Parent education - college graduate67%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate75%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students43%
Females51%
Males33%
African Americann/a
Asian61%
Filipino40%
Hispanic or Latino18%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)50%
Economically disadvantaged36%
Non-economically disadvantaged49%
Students with disability24%
Students with no reported disability44%
English learner19%
Fluent-English proficient and English only50%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented69%
Parent education - not a high school graduate26%
Parent education - high school graduate26%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)43%
Parent education - college graduate55%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate63%
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

Algebra I

All Students95%
Femalesn/a
Malesn/a
African Americann/a
Asian94%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged100%
Students with no reported disability94%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented93%
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

English Language Arts

All Students61%
Females60%
Males63%
African Americann/a
Asian82%
Filipino72%
Hispanic or Latino37%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)53%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Non-economically disadvantaged70%
Students with disability18%
Students with no reported disability65%
English learner33%
Fluent-English proficient and English only70%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented86%
Parent education - not a high school graduate39%
Parent education - high school graduate50%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)61%
Parent education - college graduate77%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate72%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students48%
Females45%
Males50%
African Americann/a
Asian75%
Filipino75%
Hispanic or Latino18%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)35%
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantaged51%
Students with disability13%
Students with no reported disability51%
English learner25%
Fluent-English proficient and English only55%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented72%
Parent education - not a high school graduate27%
Parent education - high school graduate36%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)46%
Parent education - college graduate68%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate60%
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

Algebra I

All Students65%
Females70%
Males61%
African Americann/a
Asian78%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino39%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)42%
Economically disadvantaged63%
Non-economically disadvantaged67%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability65%
English learner45%
Fluent-English proficient and English only69%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented80%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate54%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)63%
Parent education - college graduate77%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate73%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students61%
Females69%
Males52%
African American50%
Asian72%
Filipino42%
Hispanic or Latino40%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)74%
Economically disadvantaged50%
Non-economically disadvantaged67%
Students with disability0%
Students with no reported disability63%
English learner29%
Fluent-English proficient and English only69%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented83%
Parent education - not a high school graduate35%
Parent education - high school graduate49%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)60%
Parent education - college graduate70%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate79%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students9%
Females13%
Males6%
African Americann/a
Asian19%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino5%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged10%
Non-economically disadvantaged8%
Students with disability7%
Students with no reported disability9%
English learner14%
Fluent-English proficient and English only7%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate12%
Parent education - high school graduate10%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)12%
Parent education - college graduate0%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Geometry

All Students97%
Females100%
Males94%
African Americann/a
Asian96%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged96%
Students with no reported disability97%
Fluent-English proficient and English only97%
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students53%
Females50%
Males55%
African American83%
Asian68%
Filipino33%
Hispanic or Latino31%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)50%
Economically disadvantaged44%
Non-economically disadvantaged58%
Students with disability4%
Students with no reported disability56%
English learner17%
Fluent-English proficient and English only63%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented81%
Parent education - not a high school graduate33%
Parent education - high school graduate35%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)53%
Parent education - college graduate62%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate76%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students70%
Females73%
Males68%
African American83%
Asian84%
Filipino75%
Hispanic or Latino47%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)74%
Economically disadvantaged63%
Non-economically disadvantaged75%
Students with disability14%
Students with no reported disability75%
English learner46%
Fluent-English proficient and English only77%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented94%
Parent education - not a high school graduate48%
Parent education - high school graduate61%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)71%
Parent education - college graduate80%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate82%
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 41% 8%
Hispanic or Latino 32% 49%
Filipino 14% 3%
White 8% 28%
African American 4% 7%
Pacific Islander 1% 1%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Multiple or No Response 0% 3%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 121%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 237%N/A52%
Source: 1 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Source: 2 NCES, 2008-2009

Home languages of english learners

Language This school State average
Spanish 39% 85%
Vietnamese 30% 2%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 11% 1%
Cantonese 6% 2%
Punjabi 4% 1%
Ilocano 3% 0%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 3% 1%
Korean 1% 1%
Portuguese 1% 0%
Farsi (Persian) 0% 0%
Gujarati 0% 0%
Hindi 0% 0%
Hungarian 0% 0%
Khmer (Cambodian) 0% 0%
Khmu 0% 0%
Samoan 0% 0%
Urdu 0% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 12N/A11
Average years teaching 15N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 93%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 7%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

955 Piedmont Road
San Jose, CA 95132
Website: Click here
Phone: (408) 923-1945

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