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GreatSchools Rating

Olsen Park Elementary School

Public | PK-5 | 453 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 1 rating

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted February 14, 2013

This school does not grade children like a traditional public school. They provide report cards where the teacher rates the child on a scale from 1 (doesn't meet) to 4 (almost always exceeds) on where they think they are as compared to where they should be at that point in the year. My children have had some just okay teachers and also some amazing teachers at this school. I do not like the pass/fail system that the school uses. This is the only school in the district to use this system at this time. I had a teacher tell me that none of the other schools have "jumped on board with this program" and from the conversation it sounded as though she disagreed with the program as well. There is nothing spectacular about this school from my experience but at the same time there are worse schools in the district.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 16, 2012

This is a school that is filled with caring educators. My daughter has ADHD and every teacher has been beyond patient with her. The school within a school program teaches real learning not just for the test. She is always questioning things and talking to others about her questions.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 14, 2011

We have three children and all have or are still attending Olsen. It is a small school with family value and a focus on TRUE learning. The school within a school program is the first of its kind within AISD thanks to all the long hours and hard work from the Principal and his staff who volunteered. That kind of dedication is hard to find in this self serving world we live in. Thank you Olsen for your dedication to the students, our children, our future. P.S. Keep prayer at the PTA meetings!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 12, 2010

My son has learned a great deal in kindergarten at Olsen during the first six week of school. My wife and I met with my son s teacher yesterday so she could talk with us about the work my son has done. His teacher explained what he has learned so far and showed us some of his work that she has kept to illustrate his learning. We were given a paper to fill out so the school could test my son for the gifted and talented program. My son is participating in the School within a School program and it has been great. No religion or Christian theology has been forced on my son in anyway. This is his second year at Olsen because he attended pre-k there last year. All of the time he has spent at Olsen has been great.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 18, 2009

Olsen Park is a great school. I have three children attending the school within a school at Olsen Park and it has been a wonderful experience so far. The principal and staff are all so wonderful and really care about your childs learning and safety. We are a Christian family, but with that being said there has been no kind of any religion pushed on my children. I love this school and praise the teachers for their hard work.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 28, 2007

Yes, it's crazy and offensive there's a prayer before PTA meetings. And yes there are some looney religiosity around here. But the teachers are golden at Olsen Park, and each of our kids has had a wonderful education there. We haven't had any teacher trying to push a religious or Christian doctrine in class. If that happened, I'd be the first to complain. Now the GT program is nearly non-existent, and don't even ask about it. The inspiring teachers are getting shut down so they can teach to the test, but for the most part the school has a hard working staff who care about their kids. It's a neighborhood school so parent and family involvement is top notch. There are really some amazing teachers at Olsen Park. The principal needs some help. Dump the PTA prayers!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 22, 2005

My son attended Olsen Park Elementary School for half of 2nd grade. We removed him from the school when it came to my attention that during the GATE pull out time that he was being taught Christion docterine. I was met with deaf ears from the admin. when I complained. We were treated as trouble makers as the vast majority of Amarillo is Christian.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 12, 2005

My child, who has ADD, is a part of the special education program at Olsen Park. The level of teaching is excellent, not only from my child's special ed. teachers, but her mainstream teachers as well. They go above & beyond what is expected to insure my child will have a positive learning experience.
—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.
Math

The state average for Math was 87% in 2011.

57 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
89%

2008

 
 
89%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

57 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
92%

2008

 
 
94%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

The state average for Math was 88% in 2011.

79 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
96%

2008

 
 
98%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

79 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
85%

2008

 
 
83%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 90% in 2011.

76 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
81%

2008

 
 
91%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

The state average for Math was 81% in 2011.

56 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
97%

2008

 
 
97%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.

56 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
93%
Science

The state average for Science was 87% in 2011.

54 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
92%

2008

 
 
93%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students82%
Female79%
Male84%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic80%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White83%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Special educationn/a
Not special education87%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English82%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant82%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students86%
Female83%
Male88%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic60%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White87%
Economically disadvantaged74%
Not economically disadvantaged94%
Special educationn/a
Not special education87%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English86%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant86%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

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

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students87%
Female84%
Male90%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic71%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White93%
Economically disadvantaged78%
Not economically disadvantaged94%
Special educationn/a
Not special education88%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English88%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant87%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students92%
Female87%
Male98%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic90%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White93%
Economically disadvantaged88%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special educationn/a
Not special education93%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English92%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant92%
Gifted/talented100%

Writing

All Students95%
Female100%
Male90%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic90%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White96%
Economically disadvantaged87%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special educationn/a
Not special education96%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant95%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

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

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students93%
Female93%
Male92%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic75%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged97%
Special educationn/a
Not special education92%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English96%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant95%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students96%
Female97%
Male96%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic88%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged95%
Not economically disadvantaged97%
Special educationn/a
Not special education96%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English98%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant96%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students85%
Female77%
Male96%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White92%
Economically disadvantaged74%
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Special educationn/a
Not special education86%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English85%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant85%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

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

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

  • In 2010-2011, this school was rated "Recognized".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Exemplary".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Exemplary".

About the tests


Texas uses Accountability Ratings to indicate the overall performance of each school and district. The ratings are based on TAKS test results, dropout rates for grades 7 and 8 and school completion rates for grades 9 through 12. Schools and districts rated under standard accountability procedures are designated as Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable or Academically Unacceptable. Schools and districts rated under alternative education accountability (AEA) procedures are designated as either AEA: Academically Acceptable or AEA: Academically Unacceptable.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

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 74% 34%
Hispanic 21% 48%
Black 4% 14%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 0%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 4%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 8%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 11%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 1%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 40%N/A55%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 18N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 0%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 34%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 9%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 22%N/A23%
21 or more years 35%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

2409 Anna
Amarillo, TX 79106
Phone: (806) 354-4610

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