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GreatSchools Rating

Alta Vista Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 574 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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Parent involvement

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7 reviews of this school


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Posted May 10, 2013

My daughter is a 4th grader at Alta Vista and she has grown so much in the last 5 years. In those 5 years she has had excellent teachers and wonderful opportunities.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 17, 2012

If it wasn't for the fact that I insist on my daughter taking advanced classes, I would not have her attend this school. The programs they offer for young students are great BUT the teacher/parent interaction is questionable at best. There is much to be desired in the field of communication with my daughters teachers and their communication with her at times as well. Overall, if your child is not in need of advanced classes, I suggest you try some where else first.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 3, 2009

The children that attend Alta Vista try very hard to do the best they can, many come from homes where English is not the first language or the spoken language. Despite this the school has raised it FCAT scores over the years all due to the teachers and students working diligently to get there.


Posted May 27, 2009

Although there are serious discipline issues because the teacher have no recourse with unrully students, my son has thrived at Alta Vista. He enjoys the vast exposure of extracurricular activities, the sciences, and computers that Suncoast for Innovative Studies did not offer. He loves the teachers and I find that being in a classroom that has 'problem' children, is a much more realalistic education for later college and worldly experiences.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 1, 2008

My child has been with Alta Vista for 3rd and 4th grade now. The teachers are very involved with our childs education but because of the lack of support from parents they are not able to teach without interuptions from behavioral issues. The classes are mostly out of control during the day leaving no time to move forward on education process. The staff is very accessable to contact but needs to be able to use more resources on behavioral problems.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 27, 2008

Alta Vista is a great school. Teachers are wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 8, 2007

Parent involvement could be better, but you will not find a school with better teachers dedicated to each child's unique educational needs. The quality of academic programs and variety of teaching techniques and technology makes Alta Vista simply the best!
—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.
Math

The state average for Math was 58% in 2012.

124 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
39%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 56% in 2012.

124 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
54%

2011

 
 
50%
Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT 2.0) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, 3 through 8 in math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The FCAT 2.0 is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida. The FCAT 2.0 has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest. Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

See Florida's state standards

Source: Florida Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 60% in 2012.

92 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
55%

2011

 
 
58%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 62% in 2012.

92 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
59%

2011

 
 
62%
Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT 2.0) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, 3 through 8 in math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The FCAT 2.0 is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida. The FCAT 2.0 has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest. Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

See Florida's state standards

Source: Florida Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 57% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
66%

2011

 
 
47%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 61% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
55%
Science

The state average for Science was 51% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
52%
Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT 2.0) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, 3 through 8 in math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The FCAT 2.0 is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida. The FCAT 2.0 has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest. Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

See Florida's state standards

Source: Florida Department of Education

Writing

The state average for Writing was 81% in 2012.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
93%
Scale: % scoring at or above level 3

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to test students in grades 4, 8 and 10 in writing. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills needed to progress through school. The FCAT writing exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 6. The state considers a score of 3 or above as meeting state standards.

See Florida's state standards

Source: Florida Department of Education

  • In 2011-2012, this school received a grade of "A".
  • In 2010-2011, this school received a grade of "A".
  • In 2009-2010, this school received a grade of "A".
  • In 2008-2009, this school received a grade of "A".

About the tests


Florida uses School Grades to measure the overall performance of a school each year on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Each school is assigned a letter grade (A-F) based on three criteria: the overall performance on the FCAT, the percentage of eligible students who took the test, and whether or not students made progress in reading and math. The School Grades are calculated by adding points earned from each of the performance criteria listed above.

See Florida's state standards

Source: Florida 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 36% 25%
Black 27% 23%
White 27% 46%
Multiracial 9% 4%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 2%
American Indian/Alaskan Native 0% 0%
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 77%N/A46%
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per teacher 13N/A15
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Bachelor's degree 59%N/A65%
Master's degree 42%N/A32%
Doctorate degree 0%N/A1%
Other degree 0%N/A2%
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1050 S Euclid Ave
Sarasota, FL 34237
Website: Click here
Phone: (941) 361-6400

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