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GreatSchools Rating

Sunnyvale Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 1028 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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24 reviews of this school


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Posted April 25, 2012

Now, the assisant principal and teacher are very helpful and supportive of my son's bullying case and grades. This is what all parents want to feel and hear. Thanks! Now my son feels even better and greater going to school! Every student should have a learning attitude when going to school. The school have a Pinnacle Internet Viewer (PIV ) feature, please parents!, use it!! I need to thanks the assisant principal for reminding me about the PIV!!! In the future, my daughter will be attending this great school, too!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 3, 2012

Sunnyvale Middle School is a great school with an environment that allows for children to grow and learn.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted April 1, 2011

Point of clarification: PTSA and administration have absolutely nothing to do with a new cell phone tower and have no say in the matter. The cell phone tower is a city issue. Parent volunteerism is higher, and Parent Education Nights have been featured in the Mercury News and the Sunnyvale Sun. Generous donations from the PTSA and Direct Appeal has restored a computer lab for the students, and the Spartan Spirit program has resulted in a very positive school atmosphere and school spirit. API has remained over 800, which is fabulous. Anyone not happy with the school should get involved. It's a great place!


Posted January 5, 2011

My child is in 8th grade and he tells me the school has gone down hill since the new principal took over. The principal does nothing except push paper and tries to get money. All the PTSA does is tries to come up with more after school activities. As if money and activities create a good learning environment and make a good school. Ever heard of quality instead of quantity? The after school activities are subpar! Now the principal and PTSA are trying to get a cell tower built on campus so they'll get over $20K per year. Talk about greed. Lets throw money at things. Kids aren't performing well because of budget cut? Hello. Kids aren't performing well because the school does not take action on issues such as bullying and the teaching is boring! My child told me he will be very glad to leave this school at the end of the year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 1, 2010

I was a student at SMS for three years, and to tell you the truth, I'm not that impressed. There are teachers ranging from incredible to downright horrible. There are a few teachers who love being there and helping students achieve, and genuinely connect with the kids. The electives don't offer very much, and the music program needs a serious readjustment. The math program at this school is just dreadful. Every math teacher I had did not teach well at all, and even though I am a straight-A student, I did not learn from them at all. Most teachers had very little control over the classes with the , ahem, lower-achieving students. The atmosphere was very distracting at times , and made it very hard to work. The leadership is mediocre at best, and the principal's don't really make an effort to get to know the kids or get involved.


Posted May 4, 2010

I love it because the teachers are very nice and they help you with anything you need help on.


Posted April 28, 2010

This school is awesome it has awesome electives and has lots of fun things come join this school for your child to have fun with good other students!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a student


Posted August 24, 2009

This school is cool. They have different varieties of food,and the teachers are really nice. The school years go by really fast this year. And this is a very memorable school.
—Submitted by a student


Posted August 24, 2009

I have only had positive experiences at SMS and this year is no different. I love vice principal Kranich and am excited that she is my daughter's principal this year. She is caring, sensitive and really connects well with parents and students. Even though Ms. Dampier has retired, we are grateful that we have someone as experienced as Ms. Kranich to turn to regarding our incoming 6th grader.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 2, 2009

I really enjoyed my time at SMS There were bullies but every middle school has them. There are a lot of fun activities like field trips for 6th graders and renaissance. Every year there are good end of the year activities like greek olympics for 6th grade field day for seventh grade and great america for 8th grade. I wis I could go back to my middle school days I really miss them. Graduation is a sad day because you have to split from your friends because some go to hhs and others go to fhs. 6th grade is average paced. &th grade is really slow and 8th grade is super fast. Your last activity at SMS is the graduation dance at the end the girls cry
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 20, 2009

SMS is a great school with caring teachers and staff. The principal, Ms. Dampier, is wonderful. Sorry to see her retire. My son had problems with grades, attitude, teachers, etc. and with the help of all, he is doing well.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 10, 2009

im in 7th grade,the food is okay,better then others.The staff is nice...mostly...and the after-school activities are always fun.
—Submitted by a student


Posted June 9, 2008

I went to this school for two years and everything has been great! It does not score highest in the area but is far better than Columbia Middle. There are a few bad seeds but the teachers and administration can handle them. I highly recommend this school. GO SPARTANS!!!
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 24, 2007

sunnyvale is a very fun and great school.
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 23, 2006

The school is'nt all that great. Teachers don't dicipline kids very well, and a lot of kids need attitude ajustments.
—Submitted by a student


Posted August 11, 2006

This is a great school. When my pre tean girls started to become a little to wild or relaxed I got great email support from there teachers and school staff to keep on top of them, and keep them on track. The math and science programs and the the encouragment they get from these teachers is totally above and beyond the average. I recommend this school to everyone.
—Submitted by Brandy, a parent


Posted September 15, 2005

I think it is an excellent school with focus on academics as well as overall development of child's personality.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 20, 2005

I think my son got a great education from Sunnyvale Middle School. We made the right decision in sending him to SMS vs. staying at the private school that he attended since Kindergarten. I would recommend this school to everyone. Sorry to see a couple of the principals leave, but I'm sure SMS will continue to be an excellent school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 14, 2005

Great education. Friendly Principals. Some students have a bad attitude and need adjusting.
—Submitted by Kyle, a student


Posted July 6, 2005

Well rounded educational and extra curricular school. Recommended!
—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

853

Change from
2011 to 2012

+10

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

8 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

2 / 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

853

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

+10

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)

8 / 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)

2 / 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 59% in 2012.

360 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
67%
Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2012.

361 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
58%
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 86% in 2012.

67 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
95%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
90%
English Language Arts

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

309 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
67%

2009

 
 
62%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

243 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
59%

2011

 
 
57%

2010

 
 
50%

2009

 
 
35%
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.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
52%
English Language Arts

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

309 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
58%

2009

 
 
65%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

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

162 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
40%

2011

 
 
42%

2010

 
 
6%

2009

 
 
17%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 87% in 2012.

63 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
100%

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
98%
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

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

328 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
59%

2009

 
 
66%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

311 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
73%
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 Students75%
Females75%
Males74%
African Americann/a
Asian91%
Filipino72%
Hispanic or Latino49%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)86%
Economically disadvantaged46%
Non-economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disability38%
Students with no reported disability76%
English learner14%
Fluent-English proficient and English only83%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate26%
Parent education - high school graduate43%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)71%
Parent education - college graduate84%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students68%
Females70%
Males67%
African Americann/a
Asian91%
Filipino67%
Hispanic or Latino39%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)78%
Economically disadvantaged33%
Non-economically disadvantaged85%
Students with disability20%
Students with no reported disability70%
English learner18%
Fluent-English proficient and English only75%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate14%
Parent education - high school graduate37%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)60%
Parent education - college graduate79%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate91%
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

Algebra I

All Students95%
Females100%
Males92%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged97%
Students with no reported disability96%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only96%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
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 graduate95%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate97%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students70%
Females78%
Males65%
African Americann/a
Asian84%
Filipino82%
Hispanic or Latino40%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)82%
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantaged84%
Students with disability38%
Students with no reported disability72%
English learner9%
Fluent-English proficient and English only84%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented99%
Parent education - not a high school graduate33%
Parent education - high school graduate43%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)63%
Parent education - college graduate77%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate94%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students59%
Females64%
Males55%
African Americann/a
Asian84%
Filipino73%
Hispanic or Latino31%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)72%
Economically disadvantaged35%
Non-economically disadvantaged78%
Students with disability57%
Students with no reported disability59%
English learner32%
Fluent-English proficient and English only68%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented92%
Parent education - not a high school graduate30%
Parent education - high school graduate39%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)49%
Parent education - college graduate65%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate90%
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

Algebra I

All Students77%
Females88%
Males69%
African Americann/a
Asian78%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino70%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)76%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability78%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only78%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented95%
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)67%
Parent education - college graduate79%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate87%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

English Language Arts

All Students68%
Females72%
Males65%
African Americann/a
Asian86%
Filipino67%
Hispanic or Latino40%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)79%
Economically disadvantaged38%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disability36%
Students with no reported disability69%
English learner0%
Fluent-English proficient and English only74%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented94%
Parent education - not a high school graduate22%
Parent education - high school graduate37%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)59%
Parent education - college graduate74%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate93%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

All Students40%
Females41%
Males40%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino35%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)43%
Economically disadvantaged28%
Non-economically disadvantaged56%
Students with disability10%
Students with no reported disability47%
English learner6%
Fluent-English proficient and English only49%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate16%
Parent education - high school graduate34%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)41%
Parent education - college graduate57%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate53%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Geometry

All Students100%
Females100%
Males100%
African Americann/a
Asian100%
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latinon/a
White (not Hispanic)100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged100%
Students with no reported disability100%
Fluent-English proficient and English only100%
Gifted and talented100%
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 graduate100%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

All Students65%
Females60%
Males68%
African American45%
Asian84%
Filipino73%
Hispanic or Latino38%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)74%
Economically disadvantaged36%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Students with disability27%
Students with no reported disability68%
English learner0%
Fluent-English proficient and English only72%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented92%
Parent education - not a high school graduate20%
Parent education - high school graduate30%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)54%
Parent education - college graduate74%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students75%
Females73%
Males77%
African American55%
Asian93%
Filipino73%
Hispanic or Latino52%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)83%
Economically disadvantaged51%
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disability38%
Students with no reported disability77%
English learner16%
Fluent-English proficient and English only80%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talented97%
Parent education - not a high school graduate43%
Parent education - high school graduate48%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)55%
Parent education - college graduate89%
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

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 32% 49%
White 32% 28%
Asian 26% 8%
Filipino 5% 3%
African American 3% 7%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1% 1%
Multiple or No Response 1% 3%
Pacific Islander 1% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 114%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 236%N/A52%
Source: 1 CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Source: 2 NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 6N/A11
Average years teaching 9N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 96%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 0%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1080 Mango Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Website: Click here
Phone: (408) 522-8288

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