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John Muir Fundamental Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 824 students

 

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Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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Parent involvement

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted May 13, 2013

My son has attended Muir since he was in kinder and had to be put on a waiting list just to get in. I had heard this was one of the better schools in Orange County. I thought is was decent up until this year. He is in 3rd grade and has a teacher by the name of Sebert-marx. She is a horrible teacher! I've never met one like her. She has kept my son in continuously for numerous of recesses and without my knowledge. He was in no trouble but she finds it ok for a 9 yr old to stay inside all day. When I found out about this I complained and she assured me it would stop. AND IT DIDNT. I've had meeting after meeting with her... one of the rudest people I've ever met. She calls my son names when hes in class and thinks its ok to bring food (in n out) and eat in front of little kids when they are hungry. She has poor communication and has no consideration for others. My son hates going to school and they refuse to move him classrooms.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 19, 2011

I love this school. The teachers are excellent and the principle very involved in activities throughout the year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 13, 2009

John Muir is a great school they have great teachers. They have received Academic Achievement Award School two years in a row!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 29, 2009

I have had kids at this school for 6 years and I have to say that the teachers at this school are awesome!! They care about the students, and as a parent if you want to be involved they will keep you in the loop. I was NOT happy with the administration for the first 5 years (no support), but wow we started out with a new principal and assistant this year and they are the best! They are very involved on a daily basis, and yes the rules are still strict (thats why I'm here) but that is what helps the kids to do good. We are having a great year my kids are doing great, honorable mention and referred to GATE, but still having a good time also!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 8, 2008

This school is great! Heavy parental involvement plus great leadership= a great learning environment. YES they are quick to discipline as someone else wrote. But I rather have that then some bully having free run of the school
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 4, 2008

We enrolled at this school with great expectations but quickly withdrew from this school due to poor leaderships in administration and the close mindedness of the teachers. I cannot believe that the teachers were not willing to give my children opportunity to learn. They had already decided whether a child will succeed or fail based on some tests. My child went to another school and is doing very well. Where as while at Muir, he was getting time out and lots of negative feedback. For a kindergarden who started his educational career with many negative experiences, who wants to continue learning? This school is over rated.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 29, 2007

My son has attended John Muir for kindergarten and first grade. He has dramatically improved in his reading skills and is much more confident thanks to the teachers' hard work and dedication. The homework seems a bit much, but at the end of the year, it is all well worth it. I have no second thoughts about having my daughter start kindergarten there this coming fall. Most of the teachers have been there many many years, which says alot for the school. The school is very strict when it comes to tardiness, which I think is so important to start teaching kids responsibility and accountablity at such a young age.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 26, 2004

My children have attended John Muir for two years. The school has an electronic excelerator reader program that helps the children to dramaticly improve their reading ability. The parents at the school sign an agreement to volunteer 12 hours a year, this is very benefical for the children. The standards are high in comparison to neighboring schools. It is an english only school. They have a YMCA program on campus and also a park recreation program both which provide after school care for the children. This school has a strict dress code and tardy policy. In my opinnion this is a good school which fosters the growth of it's students.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

The API reflects year-over-year schools performance based on STAR test score results from spring 2012.

This school's
API score

904

Change from
2011 to 2012

+11

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

904

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

+11

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.

143 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
70%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

143 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
83%

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 48% in 2012.

140 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
50%

2009

 
 
58%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

140 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
81%
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.

124 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
82%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

128 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
83%
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.

140 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
68%

2009

 
 
58%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

140 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
73%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
49%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

140 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
54%

2009

 
 
42%
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 Students80%
Females83%
Males78%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino80%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged79%
Non-economically disadvantaged84%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability82%
English learner79%
Fluent-English proficient and English only81%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate80%
Parent education - high school graduate69%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)85%
Parent education - college graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students83%
Females75%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino84%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged81%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability82%
English learner79%
Fluent-English proficient and English only86%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate80%
Parent education - high school graduate81%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)80%
Parent education - college graduate94%
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 Students62%
Females67%
Males57%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino60%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantaged72%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability63%
English learner52%
Fluent-English proficient and English only67%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate46%
Parent education - high school graduate58%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)69%
Parent education - college graduate56%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students91%
Females93%
Males88%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino90%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged87%
Non-economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability91%
English learner86%
Fluent-English proficient and English only93%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate68%
Parent education - high school graduate96%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)97%
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students92%
Females90%
Males94%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino91%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged90%
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability93%
English learner81%
Fluent-English proficient and English only95%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate88%
Parent education - high school graduate92%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)97%
Parent education - college graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students91%
Females93%
Males88%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino90%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged88%
Non-economically disadvantaged100%
Students with disability83%
Students with no reported disability91%
English learner74%
Fluent-English proficient and English only96%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate85%
Parent education - high school graduate92%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)97%
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

English Language Arts

All Students71%
Females76%
Males65%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino68%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability73%
English learner29%
Fluent-English proficient and English only81%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate60%
Parent education - high school graduate54%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)76%
Parent education - college graduate95%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students73%
Females73%
Males73%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino70%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged72%
Non-economically disadvantaged75%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability75%
English learner54%
Fluent-English proficient and English only78%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate76%
Parent education - high school graduate47%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)80%
Parent education - college graduate90%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students67%
Females63%
Males71%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino65%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged61%
Non-economically disadvantaged78%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability70%
English learner25%
Fluent-English proficient and English only78%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate68%
Parent education - high school graduate43%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)72%
Parent education - college graduate90%
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 92% 51%
Asian 3% 11%
White 3% 27%
Black 1% 7%
Two or more races 1% 3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 1%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 166%N/A54%
English language learners 236%N/A24%
Source: 1 NCES, 2010-2011
Source: 2 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Home languages of english learners

Language This school State average
Spanish 96% 85%
Khmer (Cambodian) 2% 0%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 0% 1%
Hindi 0% 0%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 21N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 15N/A11
Average years teaching 16N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 95%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 7%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Donna Kertman
Fax number
  • (714) 972-6799

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Title I Schoolwide program (SWP)
School leaders can update this information here.

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1951 North Mabury
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: (714) 972-6700

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