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GreatSchools Rating

Blue Hills Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 496 students

 
 
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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13 reviews of this school


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Posted August 24, 2012

School is good and focuses on overall development of child. Teachers are good at this school. There's a lot of parent participation and we parents can help make a difference along with Teachers/Principal.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 6, 2010

It helps over all development of the child and the teachers are great..
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 6, 2010

Great staff led by a wonderful principal. Great parent committees who give 110% for the school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2010

It has creative and innovative programs to help the students achieve their best and max their potential.


Posted October 13, 2009

The school is good. The principal and some older teachers are wonderful and really care about teaching kids. Most of the younger and inexperienced teachers are not that good- both is imparting eductaion and discipline. We parents constantly talk about how some concepts are just brushed over and then tested on immediately without reinforcements. Disciplining is also random. School environment has gone down greatly over the years, especially during lunch. Many students are misbehaving and goofing off. There are not enough yard duties and supervisoin over children. Seems like kids don't learn polite social behavior there anymore, as most newer teachers don't seem to care. I agree with the previous comment made by a parent, that the high scores are a result of Asian parents sending their kids tutoring after school. Sadthing for a school that was so good just a few years ago.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 31, 2008

The high score of this school is a result of the ambitious Asian parents there - most students have tutors and after-school classes. There are only a few teachers that are really professionals.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 8, 2007

Blue Hills is a great school but I agree with the sentiment shared here. Over the years, I have seen parent involvement decline and you have the same parents who step up to the plate and get burnt out. Most of the teachers are wonderful and there are some who go above and beyond. It is a joy to see my child never want to leave class because she loves her teacher. I just find it sad when a teacher has to beg parents to help out.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 15, 2007

Having had several children go through Blue Hills and 1 currently there, I have to say that even though most of the teachers are excellent, the parental involvement is weak and lacks true community now. I am troubled at the future of what was once an exceptional school where great children friendships formed - flourished - and extended through the entire Cupertino system.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 2, 2006

Blue Hills was a great school just a few years back. It is still a very good school, but it's slowly declining. Mostly because of the change in the surrounding neighborhood. They still have good teachers, some are just excellent. Solid academics, struggling but surviving art and music programs. Not that many extracurricular things. Level of parent involvement is dropping as fast as the neighborhood is changing. Again, this is the issue. If the neighborhood stayed the same as 5-7 years ago, I would recommend the school to anyone. Not today.
—Submitted by Maria, a parent


Posted April 6, 2006

School seems to have farely decent academic standards and very high parent involvement rate. Parents committee collects money and pays for Music teacher, librarian, and some extra-curriculum activities. Very good arts programs.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 11, 2005

Blue Hills is a very good school with good teachers who care about the students. The school is very academic, but also encourages other activities such as music and sports. This school is a very good choice if you are within the boundary areas.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 27, 2004

Blue hills is a great academic school. There is alot of parent involvement. Staff and teachers are helpfull. It doesn't has alot of hand on activities. The field trips are usually theatres or academic.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 18, 2004

I think this school is the best. It teaches everything your child needs to know and more. It teaches but also has a safe and friendly environment. It has fun in learning. All the teachers teach while having fun. Everything is just the way you want your childs school to be.
—Submitted by Steffi Wong, a student


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

966

Change from
2011 to 2012

-9

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

8 / 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

966

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

-9

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)

10 / 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)

8 / 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.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
91%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
89%
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.

76 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
88%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

75 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
95%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
95%
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.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
94%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
98%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

82 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
94%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
92%
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.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
95%

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
99%

2009

 
 
95%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
94%

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
96%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
98%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
98%

2009

 
 
94%
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 Students92%
Females96%
Males86%
African Americann/a
Asian94%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability98%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only96%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate92%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students91%
Females92%
Males89%
African Americann/a
Asian92%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)94%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability95%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only93%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate83%
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 Students85%
Females95%
Males76%
African Americann/a
Asian88%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability90%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only90%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate84%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students95%
Females97%
Males92%
African Americann/a
Asian97%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability99%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only99%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate100%
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 Students94%
Females95%
Males92%
African Americann/a
Asian98%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)75%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability94%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students94%
Females93%
Males95%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)75%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability95%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate100%
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

English Language Arts

All Students95%
Females98%
Males91%
African Americann/a
Asian97%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability96%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only95%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate96%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students94%
Females95%
Males91%
African Americann/a
Asian95%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability97%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate86%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students98%
Females98%
Males97%
African Americann/a
Asian98%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability99%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only97%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)n/a
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate98%
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
Asian 78% 11%
White 17% 27%
Hispanic 3% 51%
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 12%N/A54%
English language learners 27%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
Mandarin (Putonghua) 69% 1%
All other non-English languages 3% 1%
Burmese 3% 0%
German 3% 0%
Hindi 3% 0%
Japanese 3% 0%
Korean 3% 1%
Spanish 3% 85%
Thai 3% 0%
Vietnamese 3% 2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Average class size

  This school District averageState average
Average class size 23N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 10N/A11
Average years teaching 11N/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!

12300 De Sanka Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
Phone: (408) 257-9282

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