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Vanston Middle School

Public | 7-8 | 734 students

 

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Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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Parent involvement

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5 reviews of this school


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Posted Saturday, June 15, 2013

Vanston is a great middle school!! The administration and teachers are outstanding. My children are excelling through their highest potential. If there are any bad ratings of this school it is definitely not the school or staff it is the Environment. I believe if parents are raising their children in a godly home teaching them respect and good morals and expressing how important their education is our schools here in Mesquite would be top notch...rated a 10. Parents get yourself in a bible teaching church and raise your chldren the way God attended. Thank you Lord Jesus for this school and for protecting my children and giving them the wisdom to do what is right in any situation they face. Amen
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 2, 2011

The school year started out for my daughter poorly. The first couple of weeks there was bullying and the remainder of the year continued along that theme. Also her wallet was stolen. The Principle would never respond to concerns. It was as if he was a ghost. Then in order to get a response from the Assistant Principle regarding the persistant bullying, I had to be persistant and then it appeared as if there was an irritation because a parent was actually involved with their child's well being. I had to resort to calling the School Board but I was just re-routed to the Principal and received the Principal's Asst. I never received a response from the Principal. They were so irritated until the campus officer yelled at my daughter and and said that she was lying although another student had witnessed the bullying. The witness was told that she was lying too. I was given all kinds of reasons why they couldn't do anything about the bullying but not given a resolution how the bullying could be resolved. I had to move my daughter to another school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 24, 2011

My son went through Vanston and enjoyed it. He made good freinds there that he has in North Mesquite High school, He participated in extracurricular activities, and even rode the bus to and from school and still came home happy almost everyday. Pretty good experience for middle school in my opinion. Several of the teachers here are outstanding and took great interest in helping him succeed. I even found it interesting how much effort they used promoting college in 8th grade, trying to help him find his major interest and career path.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 31, 2004

While there are a handful of excellent teachers, the overall staff is too busy worrying about 'the TEST', and dealing with students who cause problems to do anything resembling teaching. My child in NJHS, and all AP classes and is Bored, and becoming disheartened. The counselors are a joke . At a time when children should be pointed towards college goals, this school does all it can to discourage them. Communication to the parents is non-existent, the web page may as well be blank, parents are not utilized as partners, and overall this school seems determined to fulfill the expectation of failure as the standard. Kids will gladly sink to the lowest standard set for them, and this one is rock bottom.
—Submitted by Theresa Baker, a parent


Posted June 17, 2003

Vanston has been a great school for our son. He was a member of the National Junior Honor Society and with the exception of parent involvement, we think it's a near-perfect middle school here in Mesquite.


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 81% in 2011.

339 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
75%

2008

 
 
72%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 86% in 2011.

335 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
86%

2008

 
 
87%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 94% in 2011.

339 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
88%

2008

 
 
90%
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.

312 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
82%

2008

 
 
77%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

315 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
97%
Science

The state average for Science was 79% in 2011.

312 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
74%

2009

 
 
61%

2008

 
 
65%
Social Studies

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

314 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
91%

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

All Students80%
Female83%
Male78%
Black or African American65%
Asian100%
Hispanic84%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White84%
Economically disadvantaged78%
Not economically disadvantaged86%
Special education38%
Not special education86%
Limited English proficient (LEP)73%
Proficient in English80%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant80%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students87%
Female88%
Male86%
Black or African American77%
Asian80%
Hispanic89%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White88%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Special education58%
Not special education90%
Limited English proficient (LEP)64%
Proficient in English88%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant87%
Gifted/talented100%

Writing

All Students94%
Female98%
Male91%
Black or African American92%
Asiann/a
Hispanic95%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White93%
Economically disadvantaged95%
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Special education74%
Not special education97%
Limited English proficient (LEP)87%
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant94%
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 Students90%
Female91%
Male90%
Black or African American89%
Asiann/a
Hispanic90%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White91%
Economically disadvantaged90%
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Special education61%
Not special education93%
Limited English proficient (LEP)71%
Proficient in English91%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant90%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students94%
Female95%
Male93%
Black or African American86%
Asiann/a
Hispanic95%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White98%
Economically disadvantaged92%
Not economically disadvantaged97%
Special education65%
Not special education97%
Limited English proficient (LEP)74%
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant94%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students80%
Female83%
Male78%
Black or African American69%
Asiann/a
Hispanic81%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White95%
Economically disadvantaged77%
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Special education30%
Not special education86%
Limited English proficient (LEP)42%
Proficient in English86%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant80%
Gifted/talented100%

Social Studies

All Students97%
Female97%
Male97%
Black or African American96%
Asiann/a
Hispanic97%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged97%
Not economically disadvantaged97%
Special education87%
Not special education98%
Limited English proficient (LEP)92%
Proficient in English98%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant97%
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 58% 50%
Black 21% 13%
White 16% 31%
Two or more races 3% 2%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 0%
Asian 1% 3%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 18%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 11%N/A8%
Economically disadvantaged 64%N/A55%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 13%N/A17%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 16N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 8%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 41%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 11%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 17%N/A23%
21 or more years 22%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Mr Emillio Duran
Fax number
  • (972) 882-5848

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Title I Schoolwide program (SWP)
School leaders can update this information here.

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3230 Karla Dr
Mesquite, TX 75150
Website: Click here
Phone: (972) 882-5801

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