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Orcutt Junior High School

Public | 7-8 | 493 students

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About the school

Santa Maria's Orcutt Junior High School is a public school serving 493 students in grades 7-8.

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Have had a wonderful experience at Orcutt Junior High. Overall, the staff is...

Student diversity

66% of students at this school are White.

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District information

Orcutt Union Elementary

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K-10

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Last modified March 6, 2013

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Community Rating

5 stars

Based on 4 ratings

Community Rating by Year

2013:

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2011:

Based on 1 rating

2010:

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Teacher quality

Teacher quality

These ratings reflect parents’ or students’ overall experience with the school’s teachers. Among other things, great teachers:

Talk to parents regularly about their children's progress.
Challenge students to learn.
Give students the attention they need to thrive in class.

Principal leadership

Principal leadership
This is an assessment of the principal, or other leadership, at the school. Among other things, strong principals or school leaders:

Reach out to parents.
Listen to and answer questions from parents and students.
Make efforts to improve the quality of the school.

Parent involvement

Parent involvement
A supportive community — which includes active, involved parents — is one mark of a great school. This rating reflects to what degree the school:

Offers opportunities for parent involvement.
Encourages all parents to volunteer.
Treats parents like partners, not outsiders.

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1 review of this school

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Show reviews by: Parents

Posted March 21, 2011

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Have had a wonderful experience at Orcutt Junior High. Overall, the staff is very responsive to parent involvment and truly interested in helping their students succeed. They have a high moral conduct and strict dress code which are enforced and helps keep the students focused on school as much as possible at this age. The PTSA is strong and has continued to help teachers and programs where budget cuts have had to been made. Students have a classroom set of books and also check out a set at the beginning of the year that stays at home so they do not need lockers and no need to lug books back and forth, I like that. PE locker rooms have lockers for their gym clothes and the teachers really make PE fun for the kids, of course they have to run the mile...but the rest of the time they really do make it fun! I have learned that even though your kids are in junior high now, they are not on their own, if you and your child communicate with teachers and administrators they are there to help them suceed and will do as much as they can. I have four more children to go through this school, I used to be worried now I am looking forward to it. LOVE ORCUTT SCHOOL DISTRICT!
—Submitted by a parent

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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.

Test scores
Ratings details

See results for:

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

Grade level

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

This school's
API score

829

Change from
2011 to 2012

0

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

7 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

5 / 10

What do these numbers mean? »

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

829

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

0

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)

5 / 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.

36 students were tested at this school in 2012.

English Language Arts

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

230 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

194 students were tested at this school in 2012.

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.

64 students were tested at this school in 2012.

English Language Arts

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

217 students were tested at this school in 2012.

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

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

123 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

31 students were tested at this school in 2012.

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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

218 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

217 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students	98%
Females	100%
Males	95%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	96%
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	100%
Students with no reported disability	97%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	97%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	100%
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

English Language Arts

All Students	75%
Females	79%
Males	70%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	70%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	75%
Economically disadvantaged	65%
Non-economically disadvantaged	79%
Students with disability	40%
Students with no reported disability	78%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	75%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	65%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	70%
Parent education - college graduate	78%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	91%
Parent education - declined to state	64%

Math

All Students	51%
Females	54%
Males	48%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	53%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	51%
Economically disadvantaged	38%
Non-economically disadvantaged	58%
Students with disability	26%
Students with no reported disability	54%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	53%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	46%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	47%
Parent education - college graduate	62%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	56%
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

Scale: % proficient or advanced

About 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 Students	79%
Females	82%
Males	74%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	94%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	73%
Economically disadvantaged	92%
Non-economically disadvantaged	75%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	78%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	78%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	68%
Parent education - college graduate	71%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	89%
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

English Language Arts

All Students	61%
Females	72%
Males	50%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	49%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	66%
Economically disadvantaged	43%
Non-economically disadvantaged	69%
Students with disability	16%
Students with no reported disability	65%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	63%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	36%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	49%
Parent education - college graduate	79%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	86%
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students	42%
Females	36%
Males	46%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	33%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	47%
Economically disadvantaged	45%
Non-economically disadvantaged	38%
Students with disability	15%
Students with no reported disability	47%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	42%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	27%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	48%
Parent education - college graduate	37%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	54%
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

Geometry

All Students	100%
Females	100%
Males	100%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	100%
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	100%
Students with no reported disability	100%
Fluent-English proficient and English only	100%
Gifted and talented	100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	100%
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students	66%
Females	65%
Males	65%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	55%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	68%
Economically disadvantaged	51%
Non-economically disadvantaged	71%
Students with disability	15%
Students with no reported disability	70%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	67%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	44%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	60%
Parent education - college graduate	69%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	88%
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

Science

All Students	74%
Females	76%
Males	72%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	55%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
Samoan	n/a
Other Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	84%
Economically disadvantaged	58%
Non-economically disadvantaged	81%
Students with disability	16%
Students with no reported disability	80%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	76%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	50%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	71%
Parent education - college graduate	83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	93%
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests

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 »

By grade

Grade 7
 
7
Grade 8
 
8
All students
 
8

By gender

Female
 
8
Male
 
7
All students
 
8

By ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
 
6
White (not Hispanic)
 
8
All students
 
8

By other groups

Economically disadvantaged
 
6
Non-economically disadvantaged
 
9
Students with disability
 
2
Students with no reported disability
 
8
Fluent-English proficient and English only
 
8
Gifted and talented
 
10
Parent education - high school graduate
 
5
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)
 
7
Parent education - college graduate
 
9
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate
 
10
Parent education - declined to state
 
6
All students
 
8

Students
Teachers

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity	This school	State average
White	66%	28%
Hispanic or Latino	23%	49%
Asian	4%	8%
Filipino	3%	3%
African American	2%	7%
Multiple or No Response	2%	3%
American Indian or Alaska Native	1%	1%
Pacific Islander	0%	1%

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

	This school	District average	State average
English language learners ¹	3%	N/A	24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program ²	26%	N/A	52%

Source:¹ CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Source:² NCES, 2008-2009

Home languages of english learners

		Language	This school	State average
		Spanish	100%	85%

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

	This school	District average	State average
Average class size	24	N/A	25

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

	This school	District average	State average
Average years teaching in district	14	N/A	11
Average years teaching	17	N/A	13

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

	This school	District average	State average
Full credential	100%	N/A	96%
Emergency credential or waiver	8%	N/A	2%

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Programs & resources
Culture

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608 Pinal Street
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Phone: (805) 938-8700

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5 stars

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How do you rate this school in these additional areas?

1 review of this school

829

0

7 / 10

5 / 10

API Growth scores over time

Did this school meet the API goal this year?

API Growth scores by subgroup

Did this school meet all the API goals for student subgroups this year?

829

What is the API?

0

Change from 2011 to 2012

7 / 10

API Statewide Rank (2011)

5 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

Algebra I

English Language Arts

Math

About the tests

Algebra I

English Language Arts

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

Geometry

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

Science

About the tests

Algebra I

English Language Arts

Math

About the tests

Algebra I

English Language Arts

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

Geometry

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

Science

About the tests

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

By grade

By gender

Recommended reading

By ethnicity

Recommended reading

By other groups

Student ethnicity

Student subgroups

Home languages of english learners

Average class size

Teacher experience

Teacher credentials

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