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GreatSchools Rating

Vista Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 665 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

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

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30 reviews of this school


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Posted August 26, 2012

My granddaughter has been a student at Vista since kindeergarten. I have been a volunteer since she started school. All of the teachers have been fantastic and really care about the students. What i'm dismayed about is how dirty the classrooms are. I helped one of the teachers this year get ready for the 2012-2013 year and had to wipe down all of the desks inside and out and believe me they were filthy then I cleaned the vent because it has never been done and I doubt if any of the filters have ever been changed. I worry about our childrens health. Their were cob webs all over the classroom why weren't these classrooms thoroughly cleaned over the summer vacation. Also, have you noticed that Vistas grounds are always dirty? How can we all get these issues solved? For this problem I give the school a 0. Thank you.


Posted May 16, 2012

Vista Elementry is an awesome place to learn!!!! I' m in fifth grade and I love it! Thank you Vista for 6 awesome years! Fifth Grader In Mrs.Toombs Class


Posted February 5, 2011

My son is in 5th grade, and has attended Vista since Kindergarten. He's done exceptionally well and is transitioning into a well-adjusted young man.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2010

We had the highest API score in Ventura County and just received the Distinguished School award. Go Vista!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 9, 2009

Uniqueness in Vista's teaching principles is to instill dicipline (both academic and behavioural) and organizational skills in kids from the beginning. Having gone through fundamental institution myself, I truely believe that it is very important that kids learn these aspects in early stages. We love Vista.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 1, 2009

I think Vista is an awesome school my kids are coming out of here as GATE students
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 1, 2009

The teachers always go out of their way to help the children.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 30, 2009

i love vista my kids learned so much from vista
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 30, 2009

vist is the best school my kids learned so much from vista they have the best teachers ever. i love vista soooooooooo much
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 30, 2009

At Vista everyone is so friendly and warm. The teachers are enthusiastic and excited about what they are teaching our children. Then, in turn the children are too! At Vista there are many parent volunteers which just add to the time the teachers can spend educating our children. Our family loves Vista!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 30, 2009

Vista is a great school. The teachers, staff and the parent volunteers are wonderful. Team Vista rocks!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 30, 2009

Vista is a great place to work. The enthusiasm students have for learning is terrific. The support from parents is so apreciated and the TEAM spirit of everyone working together makes our school a high performing school. Vista students value education!
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted September 30, 2009

Vista is an excellant school. The teachers have all been great. It is definately the best school in Simi Valley.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 30, 2009

Teachers are caring, parents are involved, and students are accountable. Go Team Vista!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 30, 2009

It makes the parents committ to the process of education, while hiring the best teachers also committed to the process. I love this school!


Posted September 29, 2009

I have two daughter's in Vista. Great school and excellent teachers. Its similar to other schools, what makes it different is that there is discipline and enforce on doing homework, parent involvement and active teachers participation. I am proud to say that my kids are in vista.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 22, 2009

Vista Elementary is a positive place for children to learn and exceed all expectations. Teachers and staff are helpful, caring and positive creating a wonderful learning enviornment!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 21, 2009

Vista Fundamental School's goal of academic excellence coupled with a strong PTA involvement promotes the values of accountability, respect and discipline to help guide and mold its young students to be efficient and productive leaders of tomorrow.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 18, 2007

Vista's new principal is Mrs. Vale, and she brings a nice tone of caring and wanting the best for the students. The school's traffic is fairly smoothed out. What I like best is that the school feels like a small community. Most of the parents are commuters--with none of us living close by. So we park and walk our kids in to the school grounds and typically get a warm hi and hello from fellow parents and staff that are out side. There is a sense of teamwork, and I think it started from the top and has worked it's way down.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 3, 2007

To get into this school is not easy unless you have a sibling attending already. Lottery process my take time but once your child is picked you struck it big! Great School & Happy Kids! We Love Vista!
—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

958

Change from
2011 to 2012

+13

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

10 / 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

958

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

+13

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)

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.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
91%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
91%

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.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
89%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

92 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
91%

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 67% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
98%

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
97%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
97%

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
99%
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.

97 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
86%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

98 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
90%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

97 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
86%
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.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
96%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
88%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
95%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
86%
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 Students88%
Females92%
Males84%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino83%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)86%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability90%
English learner80%
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 graduate100%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)81%
Parent education - college graduate87%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate96%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students91%
Females90%
Males93%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino88%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)88%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability92%
English learner93%
Fluent-English proficient and English only91%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate100%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)86%
Parent education - college graduate94%
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 Students80%
Females77%
Males84%
African Americann/a
Asian96%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino59%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)82%
Economically disadvantaged69%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability81%
English learnern/a
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)83%
Parent education - college graduate82%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students87%
Females81%
Males95%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino65%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)93%
Economically disadvantaged77%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability88%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
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)92%
Parent education - college graduate89%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
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 Students98%
Females100%
Males96%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)98%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Non-economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability99%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only98%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate100%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)100%
Parent education - college graduate97%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate96%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students97%
Females100%
Males94%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)98%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Non-economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability98%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only97%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate100%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)88%
Parent education - college graduate97%
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 Students91%
Females91%
Males90%
African Americann/a
Asian95%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino85%
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 disability91%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only93%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate87%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)84%
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students91%
Females93%
Males88%
African Americann/a
Asian95%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino90%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability91%
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 graduate88%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)92%
Parent education - college graduate83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students93%
Females89%
Males96%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino90%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability93%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only94%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented100%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate100%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)92%
Parent education - college graduate87%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate96%
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 Students96%
Females95%
Males98%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)96%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability97%
English learnern/a
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)87%
Parent education - college graduate100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students95%
Females90%
Males100%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)96%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability97%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only95%
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 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

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%
Asian 23% 8%
Hispanic or Latino 12% 49%
Filipino 4% 3%
Multiple or No Response 3% 3%
African American 1% 7%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0% 1%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 19%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 27%N/A52%
Source: 1 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Source: 2 NCES, 2008-2009

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 12N/A11
Average years teaching 18N/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!

2175 Wisteria Street
Simi Valley, CA 93065
Phone: (805) 520-6750

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