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GreatSchools Rating

Walt Disney Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 484 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:
Based on 1 rating

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7 reviews of this school


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Posted April 11, 2013

My son has attended Walt Disney for the past two school years and with both of his teachers i felt as though they wanted me to medicate my child because he won't sit like a toy solider through out the school day. He is not a problematic child and he has satisfactory or above grades. He is social and gets distracted like any other 8 year old boy. I'm just so frustrated at seeing notes aout how he was distracted, talkative or off task during the school day. He didn't have these types of issues when he attended SBCS or when he went to the YMCA over summer break or at The Boy's & Girls club this past winter and spring breaks. On the contrary the teachers and staff complimented him on how helpful, polite and friendly he was. I've met with his teacher and she says he's a good student, he just gets distracted easily. She has no recommendations on how to help him from being so distracted (if there are any). When i asked if she thinks he needs to see a doctor she shrugged her shoulders and said yes without actually saying yes. His doctor says he has NO signs of being ADD or ADHS.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 26, 2012

My family's experience with this school has been very frustrating. My nephew has a learning disability which the school not only will not accomodate, but also repeatedly has suggested should be treated soley with medication. My nephew has seen a mental health professional, who does not feel medication is the solution. The school would rather he sleep through classes than have to spend time giving him individual attention. To me this is unacceptable. I understand teachers have to teach for the median because resources are slim and schools are under funded, but it is unfair that the children at either end of the spectrum are being left behind. Bright students are not challenged and those with learning difficulties are left to flounder and the school refuses to even set up a meeting time with my family to discuss a satisfactory course of action. It is sad that we can no longer rely on public education to prepare our children for a successful future.


Posted July 20, 2010

My child just finished his first year at Walt Disney and had a fabulous experience. We loved his teachers and the academic experiences he had this year. Mrs. Greve was an amazing kindergarten teacher. She has a hear of gold and made all students feel special/valued. We are greatful to the entire staff for their compassion towards students and their positive influencees.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 9, 2007

This is my second child's elementary school. My child is in Kindergarten so this is our first experience with Disney. We are happy with the K teachers and the staff. My child is extremely sensitive and she has blossomed in Kim Grunawalt's class. The drop off and pick up is chaotic, and the school isn't foolproof, but it is still a great school and the happiness of the students is evidence of that.
—Submitted by Michelle Mill, a parent


Posted June 3, 2005

I think this school is very disorganized and unsafe. The pickup line and drop off line for car riders is very unsafe. The children have to cross in front and behind several lanes of cars. Parents zoom in and out of the pickup line. I question the safety of the children when in school. My husband could walk right into the school at 7:00 am thru the back door. The staff and teachers are rude and disrespectful to the students and their parents. And this is from watching and observiing the ongoings in the office and personal experience. This school only cares about their numbers and not the actual students and their individual needs. I WILL NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL TO ANYONE!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 15, 2004

I have had 3 children at Disney the last 10 years and they have provided excellent education and teachers. Music, Disney Dancers, and reading are emphasized. Teachers are very devoted and there is a close parent network.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 22, 2003

I currently have two students at Walt Disney and have had a wonderful experience with the staff and parents. There are several opportunities for parents to get involved and the staff has always been responsive to my concerns. There is always room for growth in any school but Walt Disney is doing a successful job of educating my children and I am very impressed with the growth they have experienced while attending.
—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.
English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 85% in 2012.

57 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
95%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
85%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

57 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
76%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 82% in 2012.

62 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
78%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

62 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
75%
Science

The state average for Science was 78% in 2012.

62 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
74%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 78% in 2012.

74 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
79%
Math

The state average for Math was 86% in 2012.

76 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
95%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
82%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 67% in 2012.

76 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
76%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

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

About the tests


Indiana uses the A through F School Grading System to assess the overall performance of a school. For the 2011-2012 school year, schools were graded based on performance and participation levels in state standardized tests and student growth using the Indiana Growth Model. In addition, high schools were graded on four-year (on-time) graduation rates and college and career readiness indicators including Advanced Placment exam results and industry certification exam results.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

GreatSchools Rating

What makes up this rating?

Academic rating
9 / 10
Climate rating
Not available

This school's GreatSchools Rating is based on academics (90%) and climate (10%). The academic rating measures students' test scores, academic growth and college readiness. The climate rating measures safety, cleanliness, parent involvement and more.

Learn more about our methodology

What is the new GreatSchools Rating?

Rating legend
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average
Average
Above
average

Our rating (from 1 to 10) reflects a school's overall performance. The higher the rating, the more likely the school will prepare your child for the future, so choose an above-average school (8-10) if possible. For average schools (4-7), do careful research and look for evidence that the school has high-quality programs. For below-average schools (1-3), take caution; a low-performing school may not provide the instruction or environment your child needs to learn, and you may need to supplement classroom lessons at home.

Academic rating

The academic rating is made up of equally-weighted parts: students' test scores, their academic growth (for elementary and middle schools) and their readiness for college (for high schools). The graphs below compare this school's results in each area to other schools in the city and state. Growth and college readiness ratings are coming soon, pending publication of 2012 data.
Overall academic rating

9

Above average

Test score rating 2012*
This school
City
State
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Learn more about this school's test scores »

Student growth rating 2012**
This school
City
State
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
This school
Reading growth
Above average
Math growth
Above average

*Test scores are based on 2012 ISTEP and ECA results from the state of Indiana.

**The academic growth rating measures how schools affect student test score improvement over time in reading and math. Data is from the 2012 school year and is provided by the Indiana Department of Education.

Climate ratings

Climate rating for this school is not yet available.

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 57% 73%
Black 15% 12%
Multiracial 11% 4%
Asian 9% 2%
Hispanic 6% 8%
American Indian 1% 0%
Native Hawaiin or Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 55%N/A47%
Special education 15%N/A15%
English learners 9%N/A5%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 19N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

4015 N Filbert Rd
Mishawaka, IN 46545
Website: Click here
Phone: (574) 259-2486

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