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GreatSchools Rating

Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School

Charter | 7-12 & ungraded | 404 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 3 ratings

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Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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7 reviews of this school


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Posted April 21, 2013

I honestly can't imagine going to any other school. I went in with not that much interest in the performing arts and expecting to leave after middle school, but I'm still here going into my junior year, and have fallen in love with theater. This school has allowed me to grow in ways I never would've imagined, and has made me who I am.


Posted October 25, 2010

PVPA is the safest, most supportive, most student-centric school imaginable.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 13, 2010

We love PVPA because they support the freedom and ability of each child to learn without anxiety. Traditionally, my child disliked going to school. Since the 2nd grade each day has been a battle to get her there. Now that she attends PVPA, she cant wait for the weekend to be over so that she can go back. Her homework is done without tears and is taught in a meaningful way in which she is actually retaining the information. Definately a positive experience for all of us!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 8, 2010

All four of my children have graduated from this amazing school and gone onto amazing academic careers,
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 23, 2007

Lacking fundamentals your child will know how to speak with an foreign accent, but will not be able to explain the Great Depression or even the Civil War. This school offers classes on Jazz and Hip Hop but not a speck of opera or classical music Dance is all modern (20th Century). The local area is rich with former residents such as Jonathan Edwards (and what about the witch hanged, she was from here?)and John Brown. Literature has no use for: Abigail Adams, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Samuel Adams, A. Bronson Alcott, Louisa May Alcott, Fred Allen, Susan Brownell Anthony, Clara Barton, Louis D. Brandeis, William Cullen Bryant, John Cheever, Lydia M. Child, E. E. Cummings, W. E. B. Du Bois, Will Durant,Mary Baker Eddy, Ralph Emerson, Robert Frost. Civics is woeful, with no conception on how Shays' Rebellion is connected creation of the United States Constitution.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 5, 2005

If young adults discover a love for learning, they get involved with their education. They contribute to the creativity with which the lesson is delivered. They empassion their peers and inspire their teachers. Such is the culture of learning at PVPA. The arts are integrated in their learning, and the students follow the notes, the pros and the dancing feet right into American History, algebra and Greek mythology. What I can say about parental involvment is that every PVPA kid that has ever been over my home for a sleep over with my kids, was like a member of our family. We are all involved, parents, teachers and students. From the carpooling, to the concert totting, to the team meetings when Johnny is trying to get away with not turning in assignments. I wouldn't send my children anywhere else.
—Submitted by Sonia Carabello-Berte, a parent


Posted September 13, 2004

So motivated are the students that they are eager to get up in the morning, eager to go to school. Children attending this school find an atmosphere of learning unequaled anywhere else. The comaraderie existing between the students and teachers helps create a motivated student. Where possible including performing arts into the lesson plan really excites children to learn on their own. They become self motivated,self reliant students and gain confidence in any chosen field later in life. Due mainly to the ability to understand the human condition necessary in learning to project on stage. Incorporating the arts in all forms,from Dance,to photography,from musical instruments,Drawing,solo musical performence,Chorus,to Acting on Stage in plays that rival Broadway, their course on law, mock trial involves actual presentation of cases in a real court room in competition with others schools. It is times like this where the performance of a PVPA student really shines.
—Submitted by James Landers, 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 73% in 2011.

65 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
79%

2009

 
 
74%

2008

 
 
87%
Math

The state average for Math was 51% in 2011.

66 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
30%

2010

 
 
47%

2009

 
 
38%

2008

 
 
40%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 79% in 2011.

65 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
84%

2008

 
 
93%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2011.

66 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
43%

2008

 
 
62%
Science

The state average for Science was 39% in 2011.

66 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
39%

2010

 
 
41%

2009

 
 
43%

2008

 
 
52%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 84% in 2011.

62 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
95%

2008

 
 
91%
Math

The state average for Math was 77% in 2011.

58 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
77%

2008

 
 
72%
Science

The state average for Science was 67% in 2011.

54 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
88%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students90%
Female93%
Male84%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
White90%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilitiesn/a

Math

All Students30%
Female28%
Male35%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
White29%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged33%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students91%
Female90%
Male92%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White92%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilitiesn/a

Math

All Students44%
Female44%
Male45%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White43%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged45%
Students with disabilitiesn/a

Science

All Students39%
Female37%
Male42%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White38%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged38%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students100%
Female100%
Male100%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
White100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Students with disabilitiesn/a

Math

All Students91%
Female91%
Male94%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
White91%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilitiesn/a

Science

All Students91%
Female92%
Male89%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
White90%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Biology

The state average for Biology was 71% in 2011.

55 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
77%

2008

 
 
60%
Chemistry

The state average for Chemistry was 55% in 2011.

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
n/a
Introductory Physics

The state average for Introductory Physics was 61% in 2011.

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
n/a
Tech/Engineering

The state average for Tech/Engineering was 53% in 2011.

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
n/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering. The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Biology

All Students90%
Female92%
Male83%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White90%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilitiesn/a

Chemistry

All Studentsn/a

Introductory Physics

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
African Americann/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a

Tech/Engineering

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering. The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary 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 76% 70%
Hispanic 11% 14%
Black 7% 8%
Two or more races 5% 2%
Asian 1% 5%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 13%N/A31%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 11N/A14
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

15 Mulligan Dr
South Hadley, MA 01075
Website: Click here
Phone: (413) 552-1580

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