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GreatSchools Rating

Alvarado Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 428 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted February 1, 2013

I have no rating as have not gone there yet--may be going in the Fall...just wanted to let people know on the LBUSD web site, this school shows API of '8' in 201o' and '7' in 2011...doesn't say what 2012 was yet. So don't know why a '6' on this site? Seems that maybe this site is not always updated. Since LB has school of choice, I am looking into Kinder and wasn't even going to look at schools below '7'. Now I will look at Alvarado. Just be aware that the scores might not always be accurate here. (ONLY GAVE 3 STARS AS IT MADE ME RATE TO SUBMIT COMMENT. MY SON HAS NOT STARTED AT THIS SCHOOL YET SO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RATE}
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 3, 2010

My post is already submitted prior to this vote.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 16, 2010

Iam an 80 yr. retire and have been a volunteer at Alvarado since 1998 when my son attended this great school. To this day I still volunteer at Alvarado. I know all of the teachers, most have been here since I started and I want to say they are some of the best in LBUSD. THey work one on one with problem students and are loved by the Parents that know how hard they work to improve the students in their care. I invite any of you to visit Alvarado and see them at work!!!
—Submitted by Charles Gerst


Posted September 16, 2009

My son is now in third grade and has excelled in every area. It is amazing how dedicated the teachers are and love the children so much. I am very pleased with Alvarado. The school has a new principal and he is great. He is visible, talks with parents, and his door is always open. Everything is handled in a timely manner and information is sent home often. I feel very connected to the teachers and prinicipal. EXCELLENT school. I couldn't ask for more.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 13, 2008

We switched from a private school to this public school. The school work is a year behind at 2nd grade. - It is nice that public school is free but I would like to have vouchers to choose where my kids go to school. I like the WRAP after school program for our 2nd grader. It is a bit difficult that our Kindergartner gets out at 1pm and the 2nd grader at such a later time.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 13, 2008

My daughter has attended Alvarado for 2 years. The academics focus on the struggling students and kids who are at or above grade level have little to do. Homework is minimal and extremely repetitive, the after school program is disorganized and ran by college kids who do not supervise the kids well during field trips, there is very little social studies and science taught and the assemblies tend to focus on one culture instead of all of the cultures that attend the school. My daughter arrived at Alvarado with a love for learning and very curious. I am checking her out because she is bored and has progressed very little. She has received good reports, but has not been challenged. Not the school for me.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 22, 2008

Alvarado Elementary has just been designated as a California Distinguished School. Congratulations!


Posted July 27, 2006

I am so pleased with the staff at Alvarado! My kindergarten daughter has learned how to read, do math equations and problem solving skills like you wouldn't believe! And all in one short year. The year round schedule is wonderful and gives an excellent balance to school and family time. I couldn't ask for a better teacher than Mrs. Javier! She is phenomenal with the students and keeps a weekly report card coming home...this way we always know exactly how our child is doing. I had no idea that this school received an 8 out of a 1-10 scale in academics...but I'm not surprised! Alvarado is Wonderful and Highly acknowledged!
—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

847

Change from
2011 to 2012

N/A

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

7 / 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

847

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

N/A

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)

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.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/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.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

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

52 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/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.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 67% in 2012.

67 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

67 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/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.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2012.

57 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

57 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

57 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/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.

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

English Language Arts

All Students71%
Females74%
Males67%
African Americann/a
Asian76%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino61%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged69%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability73%
English learner44%
Fluent-English proficient and English only82%
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)77%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state58%

Math

All Students84%
Females87%
Males79%
African Americann/a
Asian81%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino83%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged84%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability86%
English learner69%
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)100%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state74%
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 Students39%
Females28%
Males52%
African Americann/a
Asian59%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino21%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged38%
Non-economically disadvantaged42%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability38%
English learner13%
Fluent-English proficient and English only50%
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 graduate55%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state27%

Math

All Students56%
Females57%
Males56%
African Americann/a
Asian59%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino48%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged58%
Non-economically disadvantaged50%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability58%
English learner31%
Fluent-English proficient and English only67%
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)55%
Parent education - college graduate64%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state46%
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%
Females77%
Males50%
African Americann/a
Asian50%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino58%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged58%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability63%
English learner46%
Fluent-English proficient and English only72%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate55%
Parent education - high school graduate70%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)55%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state54%

Math

All Students78%
Females81%
Males75%
African Americann/a
Asian88%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino67%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged77%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability78%
English learner71%
Fluent-English proficient and English only81%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate73%
Parent education - high school graduate70%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)82%
Parent education - college graduaten/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to state77%
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 Students65%
Females71%
Males55%
African Americann/a
Asian63%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino63%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged64%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability67%
English learner31%
Fluent-English proficient and English only75%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate64%
Parent education - high school graduate71%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)73%
Parent education - college graduate64%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students77%
Females83%
Males68%
African Americann/a
Asian81%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino74%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged74%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability77%
English learner38%
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate82%
Parent education - high school graduate79%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)73%
Parent education - college graduate91%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students64%
Females63%
Males64%
African Americann/a
Asian69%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino52%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)n/a
Economically disadvantaged60%
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability63%
English learner31%
Fluent-English proficient and English only73%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate55%
Parent education - high school graduate64%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)73%
Parent education - college graduate73%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduaten/a
Parent education - declined to staten/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


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

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

See California's state standards

Source: California Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Hispanic or Latino 41% 49%
Asian 30% 8%
African American 18% 7%
White 7% 28%
Pacific Islander 2% 1%
Filipino 1% 3%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Multiple or No Response 0% 3%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 137%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 285%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 60% 85%
Khmer (Cambodian) 32% 0%
Vietnamese 3% 2%
All other non-English languages 1% 1%
Cantonese 1% 2%
Korean 1% 1%
Lao 1% 0%
Mandarin (Putonghua) 1% 1%
Samoan 1% 0%
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 13N/A11
Average years teaching 14N/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

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Brett Geithman
Special schedule
  • Year-round
Fax number
  • (562) 986-9451
School leaders can update this information here.
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1900 East 21st Street
Signal Hill, CA 90755
Website: Click here
Phone: (562) 985-0019

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