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GreatSchools Rating

W H Gaston Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 1185 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

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

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5 reviews of this school


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Posted May 29, 2011

I asked my 8th what was 2% of $125,000 and she could not work the problem out. I called her math teacher and told her about my daughter not being able to do a simple math problem. Her answer was that was very normal since alot of her students would not be able to work that simple math problem either and not to worry.. She blamed the students......I BLAME THE TEACHER!!!!!!..........My daughter is headed to 9th grade and she can't even do simple math problems. I can see now why DISD schools are so bad and parents who want their children to succeed and be able to attend universities move out of Dallas County........Shame on this school and shame on her math teacher.......signed a College Graduate
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 21, 2011

Horrible school. My child is bullied every day, comes home depressed. I have called the school to meet with the teachers, and do not get any return phone calls.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 23, 2009

the students in this school are very disrespectful and it's kind of hard to talk to people when all they want to do is curse and try to act like they're an adult when they are children.
—Submitted by a student


Posted July 1, 2009

This school has really made tremendous strides in student achievement. It was academically unacceptable a few years ago and now the scores rank it almost recognized. The students, teachers and administrators are really working to make the school a success. So many times society concentrates on what is going wrong with schools that are in under privileged areas this school is vested in the kids and it is showing. I hope that it continues and the school keeps getting better.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted May 20, 2008

This is the first D.I.S.D school my child has ever attended and I will say wow major difference! Overall the school is good, not just the standard education given to my child. I am not going to put this school down but if the professional standards were upheld at this school IN THE CLASSROOMS and not just in the publics eye it has the potental to be a MAGNIFICANT school!
—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 83% in 2011.

348 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
68%

2008

 
 
71%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 84% in 2011.

347 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
89%

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.

362 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
67%

2009

 
 
70%

2008

 
 
79%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 86% in 2011.

362 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
77%

2008

 
 
82%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 94% in 2011.

362 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
87%
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 73% in 2011.

327 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
80%

2008

 
 
73%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

327 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
95%

2008

 
 
94%
Science

The state average for Science was 79% in 2011.

331 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
67%

2008

 
 
54%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 95% in 2011.

331 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
89%
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 Students75%
Female77%
Male72%
Black or African American61%
Asiann/a
Hispanic77%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White80%
Economically disadvantaged74%
Not economically disadvantaged90%
Special education39%
Not special education77%
Limited English proficient (LEP)66%
Proficient in English76%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant75%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students73%
Female78%
Male65%
Black or African American57%
Asiann/a
Hispanic75%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White86%
Economically disadvantaged71%
Not economically disadvantaged84%
Special education6%
Not special education76%
Limited English proficient (LEP)58%
Proficient in English77%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant73%
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 Students71%
Female69%
Male73%
Black or African American42%
Asiann/a
Hispanic75%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White68%
Economically disadvantaged71%
Not economically disadvantaged70%
Special education38%
Not special education73%
Limited English proficient (LEP)63%
Proficient in English75%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant71%
Gifted/talented95%

Reading

All Students79%
Female77%
Male81%
Black or African American71%
Asiann/a
Hispanic80%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White82%
Economically disadvantaged78%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Special education38%
Not special education81%
Limited English proficient (LEP)65%
Proficient in English85%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant79%
Gifted/talented98%

Writing

All Students92%
Female95%
Male90%
Black or African American91%
Asiann/a
Hispanic94%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White77%
Economically disadvantaged92%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special education46%
Not special education94%
Limited English proficient (LEP)87%
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant92%
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 Students76%
Female75%
Male77%
Black or African American70%
Asiann/a
Hispanic77%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White71%
Economically disadvantaged76%
Not economically disadvantaged75%
Special education47%
Not special education78%
Limited English proficient (LEP)64%
Proficient in English81%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant76%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students94%
Female94%
Male94%
Black or African American98%
Asiann/a
Hispanic93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White93%
Economically disadvantaged94%
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Special education94%
Not special education94%
Limited English proficient (LEP)85%
Proficient in English97%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant94%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students64%
Female58%
Male72%
Black or African American63%
Asiann/a
Hispanic63%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White86%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Not economically disadvantaged71%
Special education57%
Not special education65%
Limited English proficient (LEP)48%
Proficient in English71%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant64%
Gifted/talented96%

Social Studies

All Students92%
Female90%
Male95%
Black or African American95%
Asiann/a
Hispanic92%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged93%
Not economically disadvantaged85%
Special education86%
Not special education93%
Limited English proficient (LEP)86%
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant92%
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 "Academically Acceptable".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Recognized".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".

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
Hispanic 76% 48%
Black 17% 14%
White 6% 34%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 12%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 12%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 18%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 85%N/A55%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 13N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 10%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 35%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 15%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 23%N/A23%
21 or more years 17%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

9565 Mercer Dr
Dallas, TX 75228
Phone: (972) 502-5400

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