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GreatSchools Rating

S Gus Alexander Junior Elementary School

Public | K-4 | 542 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted May 28, 2012

I believe this school probably was good and is living on past achievements rather than setting and or raising the bar. The rating of 5 is accurate. I also think that there is an attitude of unprofessionalism right down to the flip flops the teachers wear. Sidewalks they want the kids to sit on are never clean. Dismissal procedures are unsafe. Too few staff members minding the ship. Chaotic. I've had kids try and get in my car. Adults that (in an effort to get to their kids at dismissal) frequently cut in the kids single file lines. It's a lot of problems at Alexander. Are the teachers good? Well that's a mixed bag much like the school. It's too few good anything at this school. The great school and TEA ratings are accurate. Mediocre at best.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 27, 2011

Alexander is a great school. These teachers work to help each child. If you think your child is not progressing here, look for some other cause than the teachers. Why would a school that works so hard for its great ratings purposefully ignore a child? These teachers want success for every child.


Posted February 6, 2011

I love Alexander Elementary my son is in kinder he is reading writing adding subtracting. His teacher puts so much into her class there are so many school activities. The overall enviorment is great kids are happy school is clean teacher walks classes to waiting areas for pick up walk kids one by one to awaiting parents in cars students are not allowed to wonder freely (very safe and secure).
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 22, 2007

I do not feel my child has learned that much here- I feel it has put her more behind than when she started. She does not bring home books to read out loud in Kindergarten- very concerned and pulling her out.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 18, 2006

After two years at this school, I have nothing but the highest respsect for its' staff and faculty. My son looks forward to going to school most everyday and absolutely loves his teacher this year as well as his teacher last year. The faculty is always more than willing to help, whether it be answering a question regarding schoolwork or questions regarding advice on how to handle certain situations between school and home. Go Alexander!
—Submitted by Drake Hawkins, a parent


Posted August 31, 2005

Alexander is the best elementary school is Duncanville. It has unique programs that helps the students academically achieve. It has reading programs for the younger grades, math programs for the upper grades and an awesome art program led by the PTA.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 16, 2004

Alexander Elementary has earned its reputation as a great school. The best in the duncanville system and surrounding area. Unfortunatly, dogma of the current school board and upper administration, coupled with mindless zero tolerance and TAAKS testing overshadowing actual education is ruining the district. The dress code is absurd, enforcement draconian. The school day too long for elementary students especially considering they are often denied recess, on 'silent' lunch or given very little time to learn social skills. Physical education and art-music programs are depreciated. It seems rather than give kids a liberal education the admins preference is producing unthinking, unquestioning cogs for the corporate machine.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 26, 2003

The dress code in the Duncanville school district is a waste of time. They try to run the PE classes like a boot camp. Give me a break. Respect these kids and give them recess. I don't choose for my tax money to be spent degrading these kids in this manner.
—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.

116 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
93%

2008

 
 
87%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

117 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
97%

2008

 
 
98%
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.

115 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
85%

2008

 
 
95%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

116 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
89%

2008

 
 
91%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 90% in 2011.

111 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
98%

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

All Students89%
Female87%
Male90%
Black or African American86%
Asiann/a
Hispanic93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White86%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged94%
Special education88%
Not special education89%
Limited English proficient (LEP)92%
Proficient in English88%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant89%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students92%
Female87%
Male97%
Black or African American94%
Asiann/a
Hispanic91%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White86%
Economically disadvantaged89%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special education100%
Not special education92%
Limited English proficient (LEP)92%
Proficient in English92%
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 Students71%
Female71%
Male71%
Black or African American63%
Asiann/a
Hispanic79%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Not economically disadvantaged68%
Special education20%
Not special education76%
Limited English proficient (LEP)50%
Proficient in English73%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant71%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students87%
Female92%
Male83%
Black or African American82%
Asiann/a
Hispanic94%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged87%
Not economically disadvantaged87%
Special education45%
Not special education91%
Limited English proficient (LEP)79%
Proficient in English87%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant87%
Gifted/talented100%

Writing

All Students92%
Female92%
Male92%
Black or African American88%
Asiann/a
Hispanic98%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged93%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Special education67%
Not special education94%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English90%
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 "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
Black 52% 14%
Hispanic 37% 48%
White 10% 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 8%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 6%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 8%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 53%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 32%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 21%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 14%N/A23%
21 or more years 32%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

510 Softwood Dr
Duncanville, TX 75137
Phone: (972) 708-2500

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