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GreatSchools Rating

Harambee Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 420 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 4 ratings
2010:
No new ratings

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7 reviews of this school


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Posted December 17, 2011

We researched schools for 2 years for my daughter. The local public schools could not meet her needs. Harambee was and is a Godsend. Through good class sizes, enthusiastic, well trained staff and educators who know every child by name and are devoted to making each one succeed - they have exceeded my expectations. Their year round schedule was a draw as well as our students need to catch up to the rest of the world who do not school by an outmoded agricultural calender. Our daughter is an accelerated learner. She is in first grade now reading and doing math at a third grade level loving the additional challenge. At Harambee no learner is stigmatized, no matter where they are on the specturm. From the teachers to the principal they are all easily contacted and respond quickly and effectively to any concerns. Other schools have an anti-bullying curriculum.Harambee and Crosswinds teach, live and breathe true integration: learning about eachother and valuing eachother for our similarities and our differences. It is a wonderful community of parents, staff, teachers and students from various backgrounds.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 16, 2011

While the environmental science focus and year round calendar was initially the attraction, the incredible passion and dedication of the teachers we encountered here sold us. The new principal (2011-2012) is a visionary and her leadership has the staff even more excited about their work. The parent group is vocal, talented, and growing. There are high expectations for student achievement and behavior. Our academically and artistically gifted middle school daughter attended K-5 here and thrived. Our younger son has special needs and is progressing in school because of the incredible classroom and special ed teachers, the year round calendar preventing learning loss, and the consistent, intentional daily message that each student is important and has the choice to succeed. Bullying is not tolerated and both teachers AND students address this. Students are taught to consider others' perspectives, even if they don't personaly agree with them, and that differences are an important part of our world. What a great way to prepare kids for a future global economy (or non-gridlock politics)!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 14, 2011

We are a fairly new family, with my son in Kindergarten. So far I have been incredibly impressed by Principal, teachers, and staff. They are dedicated to the kids and passionate about the school. It is a dual magnet: Community Cultures, and Environmental Science. Because its an integration school, and because of the Community Cultures focus, there is a culture of not just tolerance but acceptance of others and their differences. It has a large lot of land, and because of the year-round calendar and Environmental Science magnet there is a focus on an appreciation of the Earth and the outdoors. Our son is on the higher end from his peers upon entering K, and they are working with him to keep him engaged and moving forward. They communicate very well with parents.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 10, 2011

My son attended this school from K-5 (all the grades they offer). He had a great time, wonderful teachers, a diverse set of friends, and a great education (entered his next school as a 7th grader!). The year-round calendar is the best, giving the family opportunities to travel at off-times of year. Beautiful grounds. Definitely worth a visit, a choice public school for students from 10 school districts. Note, the year-round schedule does play havoc with state standardized testing, Harambee kids have six weeks less class time when the tests come around, partly explaining the poor results there. Not at all indicative of how wonderful this school is.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 16, 2006

This school seemed like a great choice when we chose it, but has not lived up to our expectations. Our child has not found the challenges he needs here. He reports that the teachers are interrupted repeatedly by the same small group of students. He wishes that they spent 'less time cleaning up and more time learning.' Our child who loved preschool has lost his spark and excitement for learning. We are very disappointed and are looking for another option. We will be very sad to leave the music teacher. He has been a bright spot in a not very positive experience.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 25, 2005

Tri District now Harambee is a wonderful school. My oldest daughter has been there since K and is now entering the third grade. My youngest will start this fall. The teachers and the staff are all wonderful and supportive to students and staff. My children even love the year round curriculum as well as the bridges programs they offer between quarters. The students attending this school tend to be very polite and well behaved and excel in school. I would recommend this school first and foremost ahead of them all.
—Submitted by Aimee, a parent


Posted September 15, 2003

I have had children in this school for the past 5 years. When my oldest started school here, he was behind in reading when entering the 4th grade. By the end of the year, his teacher got him up to the correct reading level and ready for the 5th grade. The other child that I have was doing very well. Regreting my move, this school was helping my 1st grader excell in his classes. Teachers are there for the reinforcement for both the students as well as the parents. This is a wonderful school. Wish I would have had a school like this growing up. This facility made it easier on the life transitions that my children had to face. I would recommend this school to anyone that I meet. The programs that they offer for the child for the before and after school daycare was wonderful to. This was such a pleasant experience with a school and I was proud to have students in the school. Thank you Tri District.
—Submitted by Denise Zuniga, 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 83% in 2010.

69 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
52%

2009

 
 
73%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 80% in 2012.

65 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
75%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-II (MCA-II) to test students in reading in grades 3 through 8 and 10, and math in grade 11. The MCA-II is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 77% in 2010.

61 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
67%

2009

 
 
50%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 75% in 2012.

79 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
66%

2009

 
 
64%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-II (MCA-II) to test students in reading in grades 3 through 8 and 10, and math in grade 11. The MCA-II is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2010.

53 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
42%

2009

 
 
56%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 79% in 2012.

75 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
73%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
66%
Science

The state average for Science was 46% in 2011.

74 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
30%

2010

 
 
26%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-II (MCA-II) to test students in reading in grades 3 through 8 and 10, and math in grade 11. The MCA-II is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Reading

All Students72%
Female79%
Male69%
Black60%
Asian/Pacific Islander72%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
White73%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Economically non-disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilities30%
Students without disabilities81%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English78%
Non-migrant74%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-II (MCA-II) to test students in reading in grades 3 through 8 and 10, and math in grade 11. The MCA-II is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Minnesota Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, data is not reported for that group.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Reading

All Students71%
Female74%
Male67%
Black50%
Asian/Pacific Islander82%
Hispanic60%
Native Americann/a
White81%
Economically disadvantaged60%
Economically non-disadvantaged85%
Students with disabilities21%
Students without disabilities82%
English language learners53%
Proficient in English75%
Non-migrant71%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-II (MCA-II) to test students in reading in grades 3 through 8 and 10, and math in grade 11. The MCA-II is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Minnesota Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, data is not reported for that group.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Reading

All Students73%
Female64%
Male82%
Black63%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic50%
Native Americann/a
White81%
Economically disadvantaged60%
Economically non-disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilities48%
Students without disabilities84%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English75%
Non-migrant72%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-II (MCA-II) to test students in reading in grades 3 through 8 and 10, and math in grade 11. The MCA-II is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Minnesota Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, data is not reported for that group.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 76% in 2012.

65 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
54%

2011

 
 
68%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-III (MCA-III) to test in math in grades 3 through 8, and in science for grades 5 and 8, and once in high school. The MCA-III is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 73% in 2012.

79 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
66%

2011

 
 
42%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-III (MCA-III) to test in math in grades 3 through 8, and in science for grades 5 and 8, and once in high school. The MCA-III is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 62% in 2012.

75 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
35%

2011

 
 
43%
Science

The state average for Science was 58% in 2012.

75 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
41%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-III (MCA-III) to test in math in grades 3 through 8, and in science for grades 5 and 8, and once in high school. The MCA-III is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Math

All Students54%
Female59%
Male50%
Black33%
Asian/Pacific Islander58%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
White59%
Economically disadvantaged46%
Economically non-disadvantaged64%
Students with disabilities10%
Students without disabilities62%
English language learners20%
Proficient in English60%
Non-migrant54%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-III (MCA-III) to test in math in grades 3 through 8, and in science for grades 5 and 8, and once in high school. The MCA-III is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Minnesota Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, data is not reported for that group.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Math

All Students66%
Female61%
Male73%
Black50%
Asian/Pacific Islander82%
Hispanic50%
Native Americann/a
White72%
Economically disadvantaged51%
Economically non-disadvantaged85%
Students with disabilities36%
Students without disabilities72%
English language learners53%
Proficient in English69%
Non-migrant66%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-III (MCA-III) to test in math in grades 3 through 8, and in science for grades 5 and 8, and once in high school. The MCA-III is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Minnesota Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, data is not reported for that group.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Math

All Students35%
Female28%
Male41%
Black6%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic21%
Native Americann/a
White43%
Economically disadvantaged26%
Economically non-disadvantaged47%
Students with disabilities13%
Students without disabilities45%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English36%
Non-migrant35%

Science

All Students41%
Female28%
Male54%
Black13%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic43%
Native Americann/a
White59%
Economically disadvantaged28%
Economically non-disadvantaged61%
Students with disabilities30%
Students without disabilities47%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English43%
Non-migrant42%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Minnesota used the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-III (MCA-III) to test in math in grades 3 through 8, and in science for grades 5 and 8, and once in high school. The MCA-III is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Minnesota. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Minnesota Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, data is not reported for that group.

See Minnesota's state standards

Source: Minnesota 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 46% 76%
Black 24% 10%
Asian/Pacific Islander 18% 6%
Hispanic 12% 6%
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 46%N/A33%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 15N/A16
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

30 East County Rd B
Maplewood, MN 55117
Website: Click here
Phone: (651) 379-2500

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