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GreatSchools Rating

Christopher Columbus School #8

Public | K-5 | 402 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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5 reviews of this school


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Posted April 3, 2013

Great school! It made all the difference in the world for my first grader. You can't go wrong with Mrs. Koch. She is truly dedicated and knows how to teach!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 7, 2011

The principal is great. The day I realized this was the day some kids vandalized our home off hours. We figured out who it was & he addressed the problem personally. He seemed to truly care whether the kids were behaving off or on his watch. My child's kindergarten teacher was just awful. She had absolutely no patience and seemed completely lost with her class. She would release them from class & look like she was torn apart. On Field Day I went to assist. Her troubled kids were not aloud to participate due to acting out regularly. While my child was enjoying herself I took the time to work with one child doing his work. By the end she came up, grabbed the work from him, let him play & not once even talked to him about the punishment, let alone acknowledge that I volunteered my time working with this boy. She is up for tenure this year & I really hope the principal has second thoughts. I put my house up for sale feeling every teacher was going to be like her. It is unfortunate too, because her 1st grade teacher is tough but fair. There is a big difference between the preschool & the grammar schools here. I nothing but great things to say about our experience at the preschool.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 4, 2010

I also give this school a 'thumbs Up'. My daughter has been going to school 8 for a couple of years (since 2nd grade), and what I really like is the dedicated teachers. Its good to know, that I can easily e-mail a teacher, and I will get a quick response. Also, I was there about a week ago ( my daughter was sick), and I was speaking to the principal...very 'down to earth' extremly nice. There is just one thing I would like changed..the school hours. Instead of school beginning at 8:35, why not earlier?? Those extra 15-20 minutes, makes a whole a-lot of difference, when a parent is dropping off kids at school, ( especially the little ones) and have to be at work before 8:30.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 29, 2010

I love that the teachers are caring and my child loves to go to school every single day. I am amazed at how much she has learned in Kindergarten. It is a very special community learning establishment that has been around for many, many years.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 10, 2006

I Love the Teachers that my daughter has in Kindergartner- Trailer Mrs. Grouse and Ms. Rosa Conte. My Little one was a student of the month in September. She is excited when she wakes up to go to school, I am very happy as a mother and parent that my daughter has the nicest teachers and she learners a lot because she comes home and she wants to do more work. Thank you very much for putting so much effort in the students. Thank you, Adisa Feratovic/Nikocevic Elsina Nikocevic's mom
—Submitted by Adisa Nikocevic, 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 Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 67% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
66%

2009

 
 
72%
Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
84%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 59% in 2012.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
46%

2009

 
 
49%
Math

The state average for Math was 77% in 2012.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
57%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
72%
Science

The state average for Science was 91% in 2012.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
91%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 62% in 2012.

72 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
44%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
52%

2009

 
 
64%
Math

The state average for Math was 83% in 2012.

72 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
74%

2009

 
 
80%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students79%
Female77%
Male81%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic72%
White89%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged80%
Non-economically disadvantaged79%
Special education50%
General education90%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant79%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students88%
Female89%
Male88%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic85%
White93%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged93%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Special education64%
General education97%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant88%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey 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 New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students56%
Female62%
Male48%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic46%
White73%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged36%
Non-economically disadvantaged83%
Special educationn/a
General education71%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant56%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students57%
Female56%
Male58%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic50%
White77%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged50%
Non-economically disadvantaged67%
Special education29%
General education66%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant57%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Science

All Students88%
Female97%
Male75%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic85%
White100%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged82%
Non-economically disadvantaged96%
Special education71%
General education98%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant88%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey 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 New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students44%
Female45%
Male44%
Black46%
Asiann/a
Hispanic41%
White47%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged29%
Non-economically disadvantaged66%
Special educationn/a
General education60%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant44%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students76%
Female69%
Male81%
Black73%
Asiann/a
Hispanic72%
White80%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged66%
Non-economically disadvantaged90%
Special educationn/a
General education89%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant76%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey 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 New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey 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% 54%
Hispanic 41% 20%
Black 8% 17%
American Indian/Alaska Native 2% 0%
Asian N/A 8%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Two or more races N/A 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 58%N/A30%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 11N/A12
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

147 Cedar Street
Garfield, NJ 07026
Phone: (973) 340-5038

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