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GreatSchools Rating

Whittier Elementary School

Public | PK-6 | 384 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 3 ratings
2010:
No new ratings

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5 reviews of this school


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Posted February 28, 2011

I am a parent of a second grader at Whittier Elementary. My Son has been enrolled in the dual language program for three years and I am very pleased with the individual attention, small class size, exposure to diverse cultures, spanish emersion learning, and of course the amazing teachers. The list really goes on. This is a great program and comes highly recomended from a mom of three (and a preschool owner).
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 1, 2011

I have a daughter in first grade in the dual language program. This is our second year at Whittier and we are so glad to be there. Our home school is only a block away but we are happy to drive the five miles to Whittier to be part of the dual language program. We are pleased with the staff and the programs offered at Whittier. My daughter has great friends, great teachers and great learning opportunities. The school is safe and provides a large amount of diversity that only adds to her educational experience. I would definitely recommend Whittier and am so glad we made the decision to attend there.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 20, 2011

I am the parent of a 1st grader in the Dual Language Program at Whittier. We could walk to our home school, Highlands, but the idea of my child being bilingual by 6th grade is why we go to Whittier. Other benefits include a truly diverse student body: over 13 languages spoken at Whittier. Also, because it's a Title 1 school, there is extra staff. My son had an amazing reading specialist in Kindergarden, even though he was one of the stronger readers. He now reads at a 4th grade level. His teachers are strong, smart and very caring. The last principal turned the school around over the last 7 years. My understanding is that the scores were very low. Now, they are at par or above the local schools. Whittier was one of two schools in all of Idaho to receive The Distinguished Schools award by the Idaho State Board of Education this past year. The new principal is following the same path as the last and is open to parents and keeps close communication with the faculty. The neighborhood is safe, the school is safe and my son's friends are delightful. Whittier is a school on the brink of greatness. I'm thrilled to be a parent t at this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 5, 2009

Whittier Elementary School is a low-income school with a high percentage of ELL students. (Primary language is not English). This year is the first year 1st grade is developing a dual language program. Early prep in Kindergarten started the process and 1st grade is creating the foundation to develop students who will be fluent in English and Spanish as Whittier continues to advance the program. With Idaho ranked at the bottom for teacher compensation, the amount of effort, sacrifice and dedication these first grade teachers are giving - Whittier Elementary School gets my vote for one of America's Favorite Schools.


Posted August 26, 2003

I realize that the test scores for this school are well below where they should be, but I don't feel that they are a reflection of the school's ability to teach. A majority of students come from low-income areas of town, where both parents are forced to work full time, thus giving the students less help with homework and such at home. I don't say this to judge anyone, because we were one of these families! After moving to a high-income area of town, we were shocked to see just how much was taken away from us by leaving the Whittier school district. My daughter has a slight learning disability, and learned in leaps and bounds at Whittier due to its abundance of remedial programs and tutoring programs. When we moved, we were told that this help would no longer be available to us at our new school! My daughter spent her entire 5th grade year at this nice, upscale school learning absolutely nothing, because no one would give her the help that she needed. When I complained that she could not learn at the same level as her fellow classmates, the school's answer was to give her 4th grade level work instead, so that she would receive passing grades. When I begged them to hold her back at the end of her 5th grade year, they refused, saying that she had received passing marks in her subjects (Cs and Ds based on 4th grade work). I have since pulled her out of her school and chosen to homeschool her, basing my teaching style on that of the teachers who lead the remedial and special help programs at Whittier. We never would have moved from Whittier if we'd realized just how much help this school had to offer! The downside to Whittier has been a higher incidence of minor violence and smoking, and the area surrounding the school is not one that I would want my daughter to walk to school through. I felt that that part of town was dangerous, which is why we moved.
—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.
Language Usage

The state average for Language Usage was 74% in 2011.

45 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
58%

2008

 
 
64%
Math

The state average for Math was 89% in 2011.

47 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
86%

2008

 
 
78%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

44 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
83%

2008

 
 
82%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Idaho used the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in reading, math and language usage, and in grades 5, 7 and 10 in science. The scores from the spring administration are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The grade 10 ISAT is a high school graduation requirement. The ISAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering the specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Idaho. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See Idaho's state standards

Source: Idaho State Department of Education

Language Usage

The state average for Language Usage was 81% in 2011.

44 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
77%

2008

 
 
51%
Math

The state average for Math was 83% in 2011.

44 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
66%

2010

 
 
55%

2008

 
 
49%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 87% in 2011.

43 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
80%

2008

 
 
69%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Idaho used the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in reading, math and language usage, and in grades 5, 7 and 10 in science. The scores from the spring administration are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The grade 10 ISAT is a high school graduation requirement. The ISAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering the specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Idaho. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See Idaho's state standards

Source: Idaho State Department of Education

Language Usage

The state average for Language Usage was 79% in 2011.

36 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
53%

2008

 
 
56%
Math

The state average for Math was 81% in 2011.

36 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
63%

2008

 
 
47%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 88% in 2011.

36 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
83%

2008

 
 
61%
Science

The state average for Science was 67% in 2011.

35 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
29%

2010

 
 
25%

2008

 
 
28%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Idaho used the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in reading, math and language usage, and in grades 5, 7 and 10 in science. The scores from the spring administration are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The grade 10 ISAT is a high school graduation requirement. The ISAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering the specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Idaho. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See Idaho's state standards

Source: Idaho State Department of Education

Language Usage

The state average for Language Usage was 75% in 2011.

51 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
72%

2008

 
 
75%
Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2011.

51 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
67%

2008

 
 
72%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 88% in 2011.

50 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
92%

2008

 
 
88%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Idaho used the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in reading, math and language usage, and in grades 5, 7 and 10 in science. The scores from the spring administration are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The grade 10 ISAT is a high school graduation requirement. The ISAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering the specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Idaho. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See Idaho's state standards

Source: Idaho State Department of Education

Language Usage

All Students65%
Female85%
Male37%
African Americann/a
Hispanic50%
Multiracialn/a
American Indiann/a
White85%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Title I65%
Special educationn/a
Limited English proficiency (LEP)43%
Migrantn/a

Math

All Students79%
Female85%
Male70%
African Americann/a
Hispanic68%
Multiracialn/a
American Indiann/a
White95%
Economically disadvantaged79%
Title I79%
Special educationn/a
Limited English proficiency (LEP)61%
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students86%
Female92%
Male79%
African Americann/a
Hispanic82%
Multiracialn/a
American Indiann/a
White95%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Title I86%
Special educationn/a
Limited English proficiency (LEP)72%
Migrantn/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Idaho used the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in reading, math and language usage, and in grades 5, 7 and 10 in science. The scores from the spring administration are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The grade 10 ISAT is a high school graduation requirement. The ISAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering the specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Idaho. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the Idaho Department of Education. If there are fewer than 11 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Idaho's state standards

Source: Idaho State Department of Education

Language Usage

All Students61%
Female69%
Male50%
Asiann/a
Hispanic58%
American Indiann/a
White65%
Economically disadvantaged61%
Title I61%
Special educationn/a
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Migrantn/a

Math

All Students66%
Female73%
Male56%
Asiann/a
Hispanic79%
American Indiann/a
White60%
Economically disadvantaged66%
Title I66%
Special educationn/a
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students67%
Female69%
Male65%
Asiann/a
Hispanic63%
American Indiann/a
White65%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Title I67%
Special educationn/a
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Idaho used the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in reading, math and language usage, and in grades 5, 7 and 10 in science. The scores from the spring administration are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The grade 10 ISAT is a high school graduation requirement. The ISAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering the specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Idaho. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the Idaho Department of Education. If there are fewer than 11 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Idaho's state standards

Source: Idaho State Department of Education

Language Usage

All Students53%
Female40%
Male69%
Asiann/a
Hispanic44%
Multiracialn/a
American Indiann/a
White69%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Title I53%
Special educationn/a
Limited English proficiency (LEP)20%
Migrantn/a

Math

All Students53%
Female45%
Male63%
Asiann/a
Hispanic56%
Multiracialn/a
American Indiann/a
White39%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Title I53%
Special educationn/a
Limited English proficiency (LEP)33%
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students75%
Female75%
Male75%
Asiann/a
Hispanic81%
Multiracialn/a
American Indiann/a
White77%
Economically disadvantaged75%
Title I75%
Special educationn/a
Limited English proficiency (LEP)47%
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students29%
Female16%
Male44%
Asiann/a
Hispanic27%
Multiracialn/a
American Indiann/a
White39%
Economically disadvantaged29%
Title I29%
Special educationn/a
Limited English proficiency (LEP)0%
Migrantn/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Idaho used the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in reading, math and language usage, and in grades 5, 7 and 10 in science. The scores from the spring administration are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The grade 10 ISAT is a high school graduation requirement. The ISAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering the specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Idaho. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the Idaho Department of Education. If there are fewer than 11 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Idaho's state standards

Source: Idaho State Department of Education

Language Usage

All Students76%
Female85%
Male68%
Asiann/a
Hispanic81%
Multiracialn/a
American Indiann/a
White74%
Economically disadvantaged76%
Title I76%
Special education50%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)59%
Migrantn/a

Math

All Students71%
Female60%
Male81%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic73%
Multiracialn/a
American Indiann/a
White65%
Economically disadvantaged71%
Title I71%
Special education33%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)59%
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students92%
Female92%
Male92%
Asiann/a
Hispanic92%
Multiracialn/a
American Indiann/a
White91%
Economically disadvantaged92%
Title I92%
Special education75%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)81%
Migrantn/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Idaho used the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in reading, math and language usage, and in grades 5, 7 and 10 in science. The scores from the spring administration are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The grade 10 ISAT is a high school graduation requirement. The ISAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering the specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Idaho. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the Idaho Department of Education. If there are fewer than 11 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Idaho's state standards

Source: Idaho State 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 49% 81%
Hispanic 44% 14%
Black 5% 1%
Asian/Pacific Islander 2% 2%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 2%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 68%N/A40%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 14N/A18
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

301 North 29th St
Boise, ID 83702
Phone: (208) 854-6630

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