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GreatSchools Rating

Helms Middle School

Public | 7-8 | 976 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 1 rating

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1 review of this school


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Posted May 7, 2012

The 2011-2012 school year has had a wonderful staff starting from the administration down. The students are motivated and enjoying their time at school. Hopefully the school will be able to retain most of the staff members as this school is heading in the right direction.
—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

671

Change from
2011 to 2012

+16

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

1 / 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

671

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

+16

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)

1 / 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.
Algebra I

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

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
English Language Arts

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

412 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
44%

2011

 
 
30%

2010

 
 
30%

2009

 
 
21%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

411 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
46%

2011

 
 
29%

2010

 
 
25%

2009

 
 
20%
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.

391 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
9%

2011

 
 
17%

2010

 
 
16%

2009

 
 
20%
English Language Arts

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

395 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
30%

2011

 
 
32%

2010

 
 
21%

2009

 
 
22%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

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

16 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
0%

2011

 
 
0%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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

443 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
18%

2011

 
 
23%

2010

 
 
16%

2009

 
 
14%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

398 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
43%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
20%

2009

 
 
18%
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

All Studentsn/a
Femalesn/a
Malesn/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with no reported disabilityn/a
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English onlyn/a
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students44%
Females44%
Males45%
African American69%
Asian50%
Filipino75%
Hispanic or Latino41%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantaged63%
Students with disability21%
Students with no reported disability45%
English learner9%
Fluent-English proficient and English only65%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented85%
Parent education - not a high school graduate36%
Parent education - high school graduate50%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)50%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state55%

Math

All Students46%
Females44%
Males49%
African American37%
Asian54%
Filipino75%
Hispanic or Latino46%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantaged62%
Students with disability31%
Students with no reported disability47%
English learner20%
Fluent-English proficient and English only63%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented91%
Parent education - not a high school graduate44%
Parent education - high school graduate46%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)42%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state54%
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 Students9%
Females10%
Males9%
African American5%
Asian44%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino7%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged9%
Non-economically disadvantaged18%
Students with disability0%
Students with no reported disability10%
English learner1%
Fluent-English proficient and English only14%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented33%
Parent education - not a high school graduate5%
Parent education - high school graduate15%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)13%
Parent education - college graduate6%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state11%

English Language Arts

All Students30%
Females34%
Males27%
African American18%
Asian56%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino30%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged29%
Non-economically disadvantaged42%
Students with disability12%
Students with no reported disability31%
English learner3%
Fluent-English proficient and English only43%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented84%
Parent education - not a high school graduate29%
Parent education - high school graduate33%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)41%
Parent education - college graduate12%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state30%

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students0%
Femalesn/a
Malesn/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged0%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disability0%
Students with no reported disabilityn/a
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English onlyn/a
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Geometry

All Studentsn/a
Femalesn/a
Malesn/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with no reported disabilityn/a
Fluent-English proficient and English onlyn/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 graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students18%
Females18%
Males20%
African American9%
Asian26%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino19%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged18%
Non-economically disadvantaged32%
Students with disability2%
Students with no reported disability22%
English learner1%
Fluent-English proficient and English only29%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented64%
Parent education - not a high school graduate16%
Parent education - high school graduate19%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)29%
Parent education - college graduate12%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state23%

Science

All Students43%
Females46%
Males40%
African American20%
Asian58%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino45%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantaged55%
Students with disability30%
Students with no reported disability44%
English learner20%
Fluent-English proficient and English only54%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented87%
Parent education - not a high school graduate44%
Parent education - high school graduate42%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)55%
Parent education - college graduate29%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state44%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

The different student groups are identified by the California Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Hispanic or Latino 76% 49%
African American 14% 7%
Asian 6% 8%
Filipino 2% 3%
White 2% 28%
Multiple or No Response 1% 3%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 145%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 292%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 94% 85%
Mien (Yao) 2% 0%
Arabic 1% 1%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 1% 1%
Lao 1% 0%
Hindi 0% 0%
Ilocano 0% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 9N/A11
Average years teaching 13N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 78%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 14%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Special education / special needs

Level of special education programming offered
  • Intensive - the school offers a full program for many needs and/or offers at least one very comprehensive program for very challenging needs such as autism or complete visual impairment
Extra learning resources offered
  • Differentiated learning programs

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

Specific academic themes or areas of focus
  • Engineering
  • Technology
School facilities
  • Computer lab
  • Science lab

Arts & music

Specific academic themes or areas of focus
  • Visual arts
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Music room
  • Performance stage
Music
  • Band
Performing and written arts
  • Dance
  • Drama
Clubs
  • Student newspaper

Language learning

Foreign languages taught
  • Spanish
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular ESL/ELL needs
Languages supported by ESL/ELL programs
  • Spanish

Health & athletics

School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Gym
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 8:30 am
School end time
  • 3:20 am
Before school or after school care / program onsite
  • After school
School Leader's name
  • Jose DeLeon
Best ways for parents to contact the school
  • Phone
Gender
  • Coed
Special schedule
  • Extended/longer school day
Is there an application process?
  • No
Fax number
  • (510) 234-5977

Programs

Specific academic themes or areas of focus

Don't understand these terms?
  • Engineering
  • Technology
  • Visual arts
Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered

Don't understand these terms?
  • No
Level of special education programming offered
  • Intensive - the school offers a full program for many needs and/or offers at least one very comprehensive program for very challenging needs such as autism or complete visual impairment
Foreign languages taught
  • Spanish
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular ESL/ELL needs
Languages supported by ESL/ELL programs
  • Spanish

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Differentiated learning programs
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • Transportation provided for special education students only
School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Art room
  • Audiovisual aids
  • Auditorium
  • Cafeteria
  • College/career center
  • Computer lab
  • Gym
  • Internet access
  • Library
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")
  • Music room
  • Parent center
  • Performance stage
  • Science lab
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • Basketball
  • Flag football
  • Soccer
Girls sports
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Softball

Arts & music

Music
  • Band
Performing arts
  • Dance
  • Drama

Student clubs

Clubs (distinct from courses)
  • Student council/government
  • Student newspaper
School leaders can update this information here.

School culture

Dress Code
  • Uniforms
Bullying policy
  • This school has a bullying and/or cyber bullying policy in place.
Parent involvement
  • Attend parent nights
  • Chaperone school trips
  • Join PTO/PTA
  • Monitor the playground
  • Organize cultural events
  • Serve on school improvement team or governance council
  • Volunteer in the classroom
  • Volunteer time after school
School leaders can update this information here.

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How to apply

Does this school have an application or enrollment process?
 

No

Planning Ahead

Students typically attend these schools after graduating
Richmond High School
Kennedy High School
DeAnza High School
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

2500 Road 20
San Pablo, CA 94806
Phone: (510) 231-1423

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