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GreatSchools Rating

Poinsettia Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 495 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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12 reviews of this school


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Posted January 24, 2013

I'm sorry but most parents who think this and other schools in the district are any good are ones who them selves grew up in the district on have not clue on how short changed they are getting. I was born and raised in CA and have lived in two other states and the Schools here STINK. The children of CA are literally being left behind compared to even the surrounding states. TWO people have said below "excellent and as good as a California school gets" and "As high a quality of education as you can find in a public school in Ventura" really guys? My Middle School son has told me teachers will just give you grades in exchange for mundane tasks, like writing a short paragraph of cleaning up and the schools biggest concern seems to be attendance as that computes to $Money. Even at Poinsettia they wanted my 1st grader to attend Saturday School, are you frigging kidding me! My two children are doing work they did two years ago out of state!! They both seem bored and when we have asked them to be challenged it has been ignored, yet miss a day and they will work with you on having your kid come sit doing practically nothing on Saturday!! Epic FAIL if only school vouchers where a reality!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 23, 2012

My children have been attending this school since kindergarten and one is now in 5th grade. I think the quality of teachers is amazing and couldn't ask for more out of them. My kids love the school. I also believe the principal and office manager are responsive and very helpful.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 22, 2012

Our family had very negative experiences at this school, and the problems continued all the way up to the district (VUSD). The principal is ineffectual at dealing with problems at any level (from serious to the mundane), he will blow you off. Many people I speak with are under the impression that this is a great school. It is obvious to me at one time it may have been. But those days are no longer in existence.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 29, 2010

My child has been at the Poinsettia since Kindergarten and is now in 5th grade. The teachers have all been below average and bring nothing new or innovative to the classroom. They have no idea about differentiated curriculum and have trouble with classroom discipline. My child is a GATE student and there has been virtually no GATE program at the school. The school may look good on paper, but has absolutely nothing to offer. Look elsewhere for a great learning environment.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 10, 2008

Poinsettia is a wonderful school and has great extras that so many schools don't get a chance to experience. My children have had Harvil, Clow, Becker, and Ditto as teachers. They are all amazing and would not change a thing about any of their varied teaching methods. Each time my child was placed with just the right teacher for his/her needs. Excellent! A+
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 21, 2008

We have one child who has attended for 3 years and one starting starting in 08. Teaching staff is excellent and as good as a California school gets. Test scores are among the highest in the Country. Teacher expereince and creativity is exceptional. Student safety is a priority and taken seriously. Parents are activley involved in the classroom and a real addition to the expereince for children. An overall outstanding learnnig environment.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 12, 2007

We have had a mixed experience at Poinsettia. I have no complaints about any of the teachers, all have been great for our three kids and have gone out of their way to help in many ways. We have had a difficult time getting a response out of the higher ups relating to playground supervision, fighting and aggressive behavior from one student who was allowed to disrupt an entire classroom for most of this past year. We love this school and hope to see an improvement next year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 23, 2007

As high a quality of education as you can find in a public school in Ventura or anywhere for that matter. Very good programs for the kids and they are always well supervised regardless of the prior opinion. I went here as did my three kids.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 6, 2007

Awesome teachers but I have seen a steady decline in follow through of discipline problem kids. The playground is not supervised as needed. I'm pulling my child out at the end of this year, good riddance!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 8, 2006

Great school and great teachers. Would send all my children here if I could
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 12, 2005

A gem of public education system!
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted August 17, 2004

Our children have been at Poinsettia for a combined total of 8 years, and we couldn't be more happy with it. Every teacher we've had has been incredible, and the parent participation is great. Poinsettia is definitely one of the best--if not the best-- school in Ventura.
—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

880

Change from
2011 to 2012

+18

API Statewide Rank
(2011)

8 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

1 / 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 did not meet all student subgroup API targets for 2012

This school's
API score

880

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

+18

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)

1 / 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.

83 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
73%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
67%

2009

 
 
81%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

82 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
90%
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.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
60%
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

89 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
78%
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.

94 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
86%
Math

The state average for Math was 71% in 2012.

98 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
77%
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.

86 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
75%
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

85 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
75%

2009

 
 
72%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

85 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
77%
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 Students73%
Females89%
Males61%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino43%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)82%
Economically disadvantaged52%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability77%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only75%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate67%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)61%
Parent education - college graduate74%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate92%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students74%
Females78%
Males72%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino52%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Other Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)80%
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability77%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only76%
Migrant educationn/a
Gifted and talentedn/a
Parent education - not a high school graduaten/a
Parent education - high school graduate50%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)70%
Parent education - college graduate74%
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 Students72%
Females71%
Males72%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino53%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)75%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged77%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability74%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only72%
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)33%
Parent education - college graduate83%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate85%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students81%
Females79%
Males83%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino71%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)83%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantaged85%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability82%
English learnern/a
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)59%
Parent education - college graduate87%
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

English Language Arts

All Students84%
Females85%
Males82%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino79%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)84%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Non-economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability86%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only86%
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)71%
Parent education - college graduate85%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate97%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students77%
Females74%
Males80%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino62%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)80%
Economically disadvantaged56%
Non-economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disability27%
Students with no reported disability83%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only80%
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)62%
Parent education - college graduate79%
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

English Language Arts

All Students88%
Females92%
Males85%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino80%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)89%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Non-economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability91%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only89%
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)75%
Parent education - college graduate97%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate95%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Math

All Students84%
Females87%
Males80%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino73%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)84%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Non-economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability86%
English learnern/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only85%
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)83%
Parent education - college graduate93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate83%
Parent education - declined to staten/a

Science

All Students92%
Females92%
Males91%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Filipinon/a
Hispanic or Latino93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Samoann/a
White (not Hispanic)91%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Non-economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilityn/a
Students with no reported disability95%
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 graduaten/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)83%
Parent education - college graduate97%
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 62% 28%
Hispanic or Latino 16% 49%
Multiple or No Response 16% 3%
Asian 4% 8%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1% 1%
African American 0% 7%
Filipino 0% 3%
Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
English language learners 15%N/A24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 215%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 21N/A25
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years teaching in district 15N/A11
Average years teaching 17N/A13
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Teacher credentials

  This school District averageState average
Full credential 100%N/A96%
Emergency credential or waiver 3%N/A2%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

350 North Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93003
Website: Click here
Phone: (805) 289-7971

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