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GreatSchools Rating

Sunnyland Elementary School

Public | PK-5 | 429 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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6 reviews of this school


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Posted July 8, 2012

My son has attended Sunnyland Elementary for two years. He had the same teacher for both third and fourth grade, Mr. Brian Pahl. Mr. Pahl is an excellent teacher. He's one of the few teachers who's qualified to use computers in his class as a teaching aid. Also, he doesn't hold any student back from learning and pays extra attention to the students who really need his help. The principal, Mary Anne Stuckart, is very dedicated to her school and organizes many activities that involve the parents, including library/reading nights, math nights, and many other activities that are always a huge success with a large turnout of not only the parents and students, but also the teachers. Sunnyland also has a very active PTA that is involved in fund raising for school activities. This will be my son's last year at Sunnyland and I've heard very good things about both fifth grade teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 20, 2011

Very disappointed in this school. Kindergarten teacher left my child traumatized, feeling they could not succeed. It took 3 months at another school to get this child to the point where they were willing to spread their wings and try again. Truly excellent teachers (there are some) receive very little support by the administration. Creativity NOT encouraged, lock-step, obedient, uninspired performance rewarded. One teacher at an awards ceremony did not even know the names of all the children in her class. Not preparing children for success in the 21st century.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 8, 2010

My son went to Sunnyland for 5 years and my daughter is now in her 5th year and I have to say, Sunnyland seems more like a business trying to raise (make) money as apposed to giving our children the proper education. Sunnyland is a low income school and recieves money for each child that attends, I truly feel as if they care more about your child returning the next year as apposed to them succeeding and making it to the next year. Don't get me wrong, they have a few EXCELLENT teachers, the playground attendant and even the custodian are great with the kids. One of the issues that bugs me the most, Sunnyland does not send kids home that have lice. With them not sending the kids home the infestation does not go away. No kid left behind is BS at Sunnyland. B.M
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 3, 2009

My son started Kindergarten there a month ago and absolutely loves it. He really likes his teachers and Mr. Carpenter the playground attendent. Before he started I, like and parent, was anbit concerned he'd settle in okay, but I needn;t have worried. The teaxchers have all been exceptional in making school fun and interesting. Like all good teachers, they really care about the kids' development.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 24, 2009

I have a son who was multiple grade levels behind due to previous school moving him forward even though he was not prepared. This school took the time to listen to me and put him on an IEP. Within the first Semester of the IEP he had improved one grade level in his reading! This is an amazing school with a wonderful caring staff who listen to parent concerns.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 29, 2008

I like the school and staff, they do a very good job with the limited resources they have. I wish the they received more funding to be able to afford better equipment, supplies, etc. M
—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 65% in 2012.

59 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
74%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 69% in 2012.

59 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
76%
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

The state average for Math was 59% in 2012.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
47%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

58 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
75%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 61% in 2012.

57 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
61%
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
38%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
63%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
57%

2010

 
 
22%
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

All Students64%
Female73%
Male55%
Blackn/a
Asian62%
Asian/Pacific Islander62%
Hispanic46%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White78%
Low income53%
Not low income80%
Special educationn/a
Not special education67%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students76%
Female90%
Male62%
Blackn/a
Asian85%
Asian/Pacific Islander85%
Hispanic54%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White87%
Low income62%
Not low income96%
Special educationn/a
Not special education81%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

All Students78%
Female77%
Male79%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic67%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White78%
Low income68%
Not low income92%
Special education30%
Not special education88%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students78%
Female77%
Male79%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic67%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White78%
Low income68%
Not low income92%
Special education40%
Not special education85%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students76%
Female82%
Male67%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic75%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White72%
Low income68%
Not low income88%
Special educationn/a
Not special education85%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

All Students76%
Female79%
Male74%
Blackn/a
Asian92%
Asian/Pacific Islander93%
Hispanic60%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White73%
Low income73%
Not low income80%
Special educationn/a
Not special education87%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students80%
Female82%
Male78%
Blackn/a
Asian77%
Asian/Pacific Islander79%
Hispanic70%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White83%
Low income77%
Not low income84%
Special educationn/a
Not special education87%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students76%
Female71%
Male82%
Blackn/a
Asian77%
Asian/Pacific Islander79%
Hispanic70%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White77%
Low income73%
Not low income80%
Special educationn/a
Not special education83%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

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 62% 64%
Hispanic 19% 16%
Asian/Pacific Islander 15% 9%
Black 2% 6%
Native American 2% 3%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 64%N/A42%
Special education 15%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 19%N/A8%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 18N/A17
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years educational experience 12N/A12
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Master's degree or higher 52%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

2800 James St
Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: (360) 676-6446

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