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GreatSchools Rating

Washington Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 611 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted April 19, 2010

I see how much my nephew likes his teachers, How personal the school is. Great School!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 18, 2008

Washington Elementary School is the closest thing to a private school, offering the children all the things they need. Fantastic teachers, office staff, P.E., science, music and art are part of every childs weekly offerings. Fantastic leadership from a principal that is forward thinking and believes our school is a community in itself. The school parents and PTO is invaluable in providing fund raising for after school enrichment and field trips.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 20, 2008

My child is Washington's GATE magnet program, which is a great program. Kids are taught a GATE curriculum all day. For the first time, my child isn't bored. Wonderful PTO. Great teachers and staff - GATE and non-GATE. Fantastic music (Konrad Kono) and art (CCP) program. Inferior computers in classrooms - limited Internet. Good after-school enrichment thru PTO. Excellent PE and science programs. Needs more playground supervision, better food.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 3, 2006

Wonderful site. Improved access for parking and dropoff. Great Gate Program. Parent support. Fundraisers. Orchastra musicsl instrument instruction upper grates. 6th grade science camp.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 18, 2005

This has one of the best gate programs around! Children learn so much by being in these classes all day, every day. The teaching staff are great and parents are always involved and appreciated. The office staff are always willing to help you. There is a wonderful foundation set up by parents for thier children and school projects and activities. The school has a wonderful view of the ocean what can be better than that!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 31, 2005

Both of our children attended Washington Elementary School and it has been a fantastic experience. Our children have been very well prepared for the challenges of secondary school and are well on their way to bright futures. It has the strongest parent group in the district and operates as a non-profit foundation. The fundraising efforts involve the whole school population, which is diverse, and provide enrichment opportunities for the entire student body. Some of the enrichment opportunitiies include art, vocal, and dance instruction, a broad range of after school enrichment classes, certified P.E. instruction, a wet science lab with a credentialed science teacher, a computer lab technician, and other programs too lengthy for this reviewer to mention. The staff is excellent and kind. Our family will always cherish the memories of our years at Washington Elementary School.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 8, 2005

Beautiful location, harmonious and committed teaching staff, excellent technology integrated into curriculum, PE coach and other supplemental teachers funded by PSTA, well integrated diversity meeting needs of many students, high scoring, strong leadership, strong parent group.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 10, 2003

Washington School, as another parent put it, is the 'creme de la creme' of Santa Barbara elementary schools. It has the only full-time GATE program in the city, has an outstanding location on the beach where playground memories for the students will last forever and has after-school opportunities that exceed all other schools, public or private, of which I am aware.
—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

922

Change from
2011 to 2012

+6

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

9 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

9 / 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

922

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

+6

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)

9 / 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.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
75%

2009

 
 
77%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
79%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

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

87 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
77%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
93%
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.

89 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
88%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

93 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
90%
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.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
73%

2009

 
 
89%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
88%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
66%

2009

 
 
78%
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 59% in 2012.

85 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
76%

2009

 
 
61%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

85 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
71%

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 Students71%
Females69%
Males73%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino46%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged43%
Non-economically disadvantaged85%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability73%
English learner44%
Fluent-English proficient and English only83%
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)64%
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate79%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students80%
Females74%
Males86%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino57%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)94%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability82%
English learner52%
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
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)71%
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
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 Students84%
Females83%
Males84%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino69%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged71%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability85%
English learner79%
Fluent-English proficient and English only85%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)92%
Parent education - college graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students87%
Females82%
Males91%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino79%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged83%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disability73%
Students with no reported disability89%
English learner85%
Fluent-English proficient and English only87%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)92%
Parent education - college graduate88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate88%
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%
Females91%
Males93%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino75%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantaged69%
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability91%
English learner71%
Fluent-English proficient and English only96%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)86%
Parent education - college graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students91%
Females89%
Males91%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino75%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)98%
Economically disadvantaged63%
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with disability86%
Students with no reported disability91%
English learner69%
Fluent-English proficient and English only95%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented97%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate58%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)93%
Parent education - college graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students83%
Females81%
Males84%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino61%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability82%
English learner60%
Fluent-English proficient and English only90%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate36%
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)75%
Parent education - college graduate92%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students79%
Females75%
Males82%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino57%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability78%
English learner55%
Fluent-English proficient and English only87%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented94%
Parent education - not a high school graduate27%
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)75%
Parent education - college graduate96%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students85%
Females89%
Males82%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino70%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantaged60%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability85%
English learner65%
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented97%
Parent education - not a high school graduate36%
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)88%
Parent education - college graduate88%
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 Students86%
Females86%
Males86%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino50%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)95%
Economically disadvantaged42%
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability87%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only92%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)100%
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate97%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students83%
Females83%
Males84%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino61%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantaged58%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability84%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only87%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)92%
Parent education - college graduate83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate97%
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
White 56% 28%
Hispanic or Latino 34% 49%
Asian 5% 8%
Multiple or No Response 2% 3%
African American 1% 7%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1% 1%
Filipino 1% 3%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 116%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 226%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%
All other non-English languages 3% 1%
Dutch 1% 0%
French 1% 0%
Italian 1% 0%
Vietnamese 1% 2%
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 11N/A11
Average years teaching 15N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 100%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

290 Lighthouse Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Website: Click here
Phone: (805) 965-6653

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