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GreatSchools Rating

Rutherford Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 491 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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7 reviews of this school


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Posted April 22, 2010

I have three children and all have attended Rutherford Elementary. Teachers and principal are the most caring and awesome educators I have known. My kids truly enjoy this school and get up every morning with a smile on their face!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 8, 2009

The teachers and staff at this school really seem to not only love their jobs but the students.The way they teach is not biased on race,religion, or any persons ideology. I am a Christian as are my children, But I have not seen our faith nor any other faith be lifted above another. Nor do I see them trying to push the evolution myth on our children. They do teach on some of these things but its taught from a point of view allowing the children to be objective. I have two children currently at this school one in Kindergarten and the other in first grade. I had a step son that went there from kindergarten to fifth grade. When he was falling behind and not doing well in School the teachers took the extra time to help him get caught up.I am very greatful for the committment to education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2009

Rutherford is a great school. And the teachers care about their students, I have not meet a teacher up there yet that has wanted the best education for their class. As for the disciplinary issue, the Vice Principal changed this year and she has improved on some of the old procedures. The classes are big, but they Teachers allow parents to come in and volunteer to do activiteis w/ the class so that they can step out w/ the children that need help in cetain areas. One 1st grade teacher had a student that did not even no her alphabet when she begin and now she can read a level 1 reader book. She wanted to see her achieve greatness, and now this girl smiles ear ro ear and eagerly reads to you. Trust me this is a school that cares about education ! Oh and the Libriarian is amazing !!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 13, 2008

Rutherford is a good school. It has had a record of being a recognized campus for the last 4 out of 5 years. I have 2 kids attending right now, one in 3rd grade and one in kindergarten and have been very pleased with each and every teacher they have had at Rutherford. As a parent, you do need to be involved and interact/communicate with the teachers to achieve the best results in the educational development of your child.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 8, 2008

Like any school, their are good teachers and the not-so-great. I had both at Rutherford for my kids. I think 2 of the major issues are that the classes are to big, my sons class has 26 kids and when he needs special attention in a certain subject he is not able to get it. And that has brought his confidence in himself down. And also when you have an issue with a teacher it becomes a game of politics.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 5, 2004

My son attended Rutherford for 5 years and I must say that I am very pleased with the teachers and the quality of education he received. The staff makes you feel welcome and the teachers all communicated well with me. The principal is very approachable and discipline was just and fair.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 1, 2003

Disciplinary rules at this school are horrific and almost barbaric. Upon closer inquisitiveness, it is found that the principal has the final ruling, not the school district. How sad for our kids that they cannot be kids.
—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.

94 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
83%

2008

 
 
76%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

94 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
82%

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.

76 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
87%

2008

 
 
84%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

74 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
84%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 90% in 2011.

73 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
93%

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

The state average for Math was 81% in 2011.

89 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
88%

2008

 
 
79%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.

88 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
91%

2008

 
 
89%
Science

The state average for Science was 87% in 2011.

85 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
88%

2008

 
 
88%
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 Students88%
Female89%
Male88%
Black or African American79%
Asiann/a
Hispanic90%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White89%
Economically disadvantaged81%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special educationn/a
Not special education88%
Limited English proficient (LEP)89%
Proficient in English88%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant88%
Gifted/talentedn/a

Reading

All Students88%
Female95%
Male84%
Black or African American95%
Asiann/a
Hispanic81%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White92%
Economically disadvantaged83%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Special educationn/a
Not special education90%
Limited English proficient (LEP)78%
Proficient in English89%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant88%
Gifted/talentedn/a
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%
Female92%
Male95%
Black or African American88%
Asiann/a
Hispanic93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White96%
Economically disadvantaged92%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special educationn/a
Not special education93%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English93%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant93%
Gifted/talentedn/a

Reading

All Students88%
Female83%
Male92%
Black or African American81%
Asiann/a
Hispanic93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White86%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Special educationn/a
Not special education88%
Limited English proficient (LEP)83%
Proficient in English88%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant88%
Gifted/talentedn/a

Writing

All Students89%
Female92%
Male86%
Black or African American75%
Asiann/a
Hispanic96%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White91%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special educationn/a
Not special education89%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English88%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant89%
Gifted/talentedn/a
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 Students96%
Female96%
Male95%
Black or African American89%
Asiann/a
Hispanic97%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged93%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special education86%
Not special education96%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant96%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students93%
Female94%
Male93%
Black or African American89%
Asiann/a
Hispanic97%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White96%
Economically disadvantaged91%
Not economically disadvantaged97%
Special education100%
Not special education93%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English94%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant93%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students88%
Female84%
Male93%
Black or African American82%
Asiann/a
Hispanic93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White92%
Economically disadvantaged83%
Not economically disadvantaged97%
Special education80%
Not special education89%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English89%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant88%
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 "Recognized".

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 41% 34%
Hispanic 28% 48%
Black 27% 14%
Asian/Pacific Islander 3% 4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 10%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 4%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 8%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 46%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 7%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 33%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 5%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 31%N/A23%
21 or more years 25%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1607 Sierra Dr
Mesquite, TX 75149
Website: Click here
Phone: (972) 290-4060

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