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Washington Academic Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 1625 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted March 22, 2009

WAMS is undergoing many changes. Test scores have continued to grow every year. Even though there are still some issues, the leadership team was able to come up with solutions to improve the school. With 1700 students coming from at least 8 elementary schools, I think the school is doing a great job.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted November 6, 2008

My daughter is a sixth-grader a WAMS. She has had a positive experience since starting. She is very excited about band, and Mr. Olsen is her favorite teacher.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 20, 2008

The teachers at WAMS are caring, hardworking, and constantly go above and beyond the scope of their regular duties to see that students are reaching their goals.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted March 27, 2008

This school does need improvement in keeping the above average student challenged. This school is a bit overcrowded wth student/teacher ratio making it difficult for teachers to reach each student. This is why parent involvment is important. Keep in contact with your students teachers and checking their journal everyday will help with the team effort between you and the teachers. I do have a child which is considered above average and I challenge him at home with advanced workbooks which I discuss with his teachers and we all seem to be communicating and working well together to keep my child motivated. I would like to thank the WAMS Teachers' for understanding the importance of my child's education and for their support. D. Mercado
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 5, 2008

I've been attending this school for three years, and.. it's pretty bad. They've recently started a program that takes 30 out of 45 minutes of our students' lunches if homework isn't completed. Grades went up drastically, but that's because students don't want to miss out on hanging out with their friends or get lunch left-overs. I'm one of the honors students, so I'm good in this school, but I pretty much hate it there. I find it very hard to make friends, either because they don't like the way I dress or they're just plain indecent. WAMS is not a school that I'd reccomend, and I cannot wait until I go to the High School.
—Submitted by a student


Posted February 22, 2007

The teachers (some) aren't good at disciplining the students, they only sound like a broken record.
—Submitted by a student


Posted March 21, 2006

Most of the students at this school either live in poverty or act and think like people who do. It is located in a somewhat isolated community in the Central Valley and does not have access to theater programs, museums, etc. found in a bigger city. The staff seems to try hard but it seems like the quality of the student population drags this school down. There are some really good teachers at this school. It's too bad so many of the students (and parents) don't care whether or not they are learning.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 25, 2004

The curriculum is focused on students who are not achieving 'grade level' test scores. While these students need this focused education, the average or above average students are being short changed. The subject matter has already been learned in earlier grades. These students attend 'advanced' or 'GATE' classes while the others attend remedial reading classes. How 'advanced' can these classes be if they are comprised of both average and above average learners. When questioned about this problem, school representitives state '...the above average student only comprise three percent of the student body.' Why not dedicate three percent of the teachers for advanced curriculum? A suggestion for the school; scrap the 'university' style campuses, where the students and teachers are divided into three separate campuses, and establish remedial, average and above average course curriculums. That way, no one is at a disadvantage or as I like to call it, 'being dumbed down'.
—Submitted by David King, 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

839

Change from
2011 to 2012

+31

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

7 / 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

839

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

+31

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)

7 / 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 59% in 2012.

372 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
48%

2011

 
 
43%

2010

 
 
50%

2009

 
 
38%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

377 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
59%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
46%
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.

72 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
100%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
88%
English Language Arts

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

535 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
46%

2009

 
 
48%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

470 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
66%

2010

 
 
61%

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

Algebra I

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

320 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
81%
English Language Arts

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

575 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
63%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
52%

2009

 
 
46%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

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

208 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
42%

2011

 
 
30%

2010

 
 
30%

2009

 
 
50%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

68 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
100%
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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

596 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
49%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
58%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

575 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
56%

2009

 
 
63%
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 Students48%
Females52%
Males44%
African Americann/a
Asian42%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino47%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)70%
Economically disadvantaged48%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability49%
English learner8%
Fluent-English proficient and English only56%
Migrant education42%
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate40%
Parent education - high school graduate43%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)54%
Parent education - college graduate66%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students59%
Females61%
Males57%
African Americann/a
Asian58%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino57%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)74%
Economically disadvantaged59%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability59%
English learner22%
Fluent-English proficient and English only66%
Migrant education73%
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate53%
Parent education - high school graduate47%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)66%
Parent education - college graduate76%
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

Algebra I

All Students100%
Females100%
Males100%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino100%
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged100%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with no reported disability100%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only100%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate100%
Parent education - high school graduate100%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)100%
Parent education - college graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students60%
Females69%
Males53%
African Americann/a
Asian81%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino57%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)69%
Economically disadvantaged61%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability62%
English learner20%
Fluent-English proficient and English only67%
Migrant education45%
Gifted and talented82%
Parent education - not a high school graduate49%
Parent education - high school graduate62%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)68%
Parent education - college graduate70%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students67%
Females72%
Males63%
African Americann/a
Asian85%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)76%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disability57%
Students with no reported disability68%
English learner40%
Fluent-English proficient and English only72%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate61%
Parent education - high school graduate62%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)69%
Parent education - college graduate84%
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

Algebra I

All Students91%
Females92%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asian98%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino89%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)91%
Economically disadvantaged91%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability91%
English learner88%
Fluent-English proficient and English only91%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate92%
Parent education - high school graduate89%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)86%
Parent education - college graduate95%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students63%
Females69%
Males58%
African American75%
Asian82%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino58%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)80%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disability25%
Students with no reported disability65%
English learner10%
Fluent-English proficient and English only71%
Migrant education47%
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate53%
Parent education - high school graduate61%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)70%
Parent education - college graduate79%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students42%
Females44%
Males40%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino38%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)64%
Economically disadvantaged42%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disability41%
Students with no reported disability42%
English learner28%
Fluent-English proficient and English only47%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate42%
Parent education - high school graduate38%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)55%
Parent education - college graduate23%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Geometry

All Students88%
Females85%
Males93%
African Americann/a
Asian91%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino84%
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantaged88%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with no reported disability88%
Fluent-English proficient and English only88%
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate93%
Parent education - high school graduate100%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)84%
Parent education - college graduate83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students58%
Females55%
Males61%
African American58%
Asian78%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino52%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)73%
Economically disadvantaged58%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disability22%
Students with no reported disability60%
English learner12%
Fluent-English proficient and English only64%
Migrant education50%
Gifted and talented92%
Parent education - not a high school graduate46%
Parent education - high school graduate55%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)66%
Parent education - college graduate73%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students69%
Females67%
Males72%
African American83%
Asian87%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino63%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disability50%
Students with no reported disability70%
English learner20%
Fluent-English proficient and English only76%
Migrant education73%
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate57%
Parent education - high school graduate68%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)77%
Parent education - college graduate85%
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
Hispanic or Latino 79% 49%
Asian 10% 8%
White 8% 28%
African American 2% 7%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1% 1%
Filipino 0% 3%
Multiple or No Response 0% 3%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 118%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 281%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 85% 85%
Hmong 12% 1%
Punjabi 1% 1%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
Arabic 0% 1%
Khmer (Cambodian) 0% 0%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 5N/A11
Average years teaching 7N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 87%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 4%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1705 Tenth Street
Sanger, CA 93657
Website: Click here
Phone: (559) 524-7015

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