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GreatSchools Rating

Martin Sortun Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 560 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 2 ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 2 ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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10 reviews of this school


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Posted April 23, 2013

My son goes to this school and he loves it. The teachers and administrative staff are highly capable and good at getting results. Before putting too much weight behind the previous 2 reviews take a second to review how their test scores compare to other schools in the Kent district. Then look at how they stack up against other schools in the state. The proof is in the pudding. Schools aren't solely responsible for churning out smart and compassionate kids. Parents/families have to take an active role in their students education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 11, 2013

My so has been at Martin Sortun for 1 1/2 years, he is excelling fantastically! The teachers really take time to work with students and help them in whatever way they can. The break into small reading skill groups to work with children with similar abilities. My 1st grader surpassed his reading goal for the year by the half way mark! More than 3/4 of the students in his grade received awards for completing all 3 of their goals set at the beginning of the yer at an awards assembly in February. My Kroll, the principal, really makes learning fun for all the kids and the teachers that work there. And the biggest plus is that my son loves going to school every day.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 2, 2012

Homeschooling is greatly being considered now and should have been considered at greater depth before.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 22, 2011

I am in the same boat at the previous poster. They tell me all the time though that my daughter reads above grade level, but the teacher grades her at just performing? Also, everytime I ask why they don't do things like other schools do that are way more successful and could help the kids out all the teacher ever responds with is "I don't have time to do that!" Excuse me, but you decided to be a teacher, NOT ME! You don't want to go the extra mile to make these children successful? The priorities of the teachers at Martin Sortun are mixed up and they do not have the childrens best interest in mind. I don't know what is wrong with the morale in the Kent School District, but I know for sure I am getting my child out of that district before she no longer cares about learning like most of her classmates.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 1, 2011

hello every one out there, my grandaughter goes to this school and has been there for 5yrs and the teachers are saying she still is not up to her level, well what is wrong with this picture, looks like the teachers are not on there job and do not know how do do there job, and the person over the school is not correction the prob, i am looking for a better school for my granddaughter because the mind is a terrible thing to waste


Posted November 2, 2010

Both of my children have attended Martin Sortun from Kindergarten on. The teachers take great interest in each child and help to develop and challenge them based on their personal progress. My son is now in 8th grade in honors classes. My daughter is in 5th grade in Martin Sortun and attends a 5th/6th split class to challenge her. We have stayed in our neighborhood specifically so our children could attend this elementary school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 27, 2010

My 2 sons are enrolled in this school and are both special needs. I couldn't ask for a more attentive staff. The atmosphere of the school as a whole is upbeat and the family activities are incredible. I'm glad we're lucky enough to be at Martin Sortun!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 27, 2008

I'm a parent of another elementary school in Kent and I'm just curious how this school go the high rating out of all the other Kent Schools and how do they get there parents involved.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 26, 2007

My daughter went there K-6. Great PTA, just wish there can be more parents involved in the school. The Principal is a great and he truly cares about the best interest of the kids.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 1, 2003

My children have spent 5 years at this school. The educational standards. Super PTA involvement. It is a fun place to learn with very enthusiastic teachers. Highly recommend this 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 65% in 2012.

84 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
82%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 69% in 2012.

84 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
71%
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.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
64%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
65%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 61% in 2012.

72 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
52%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
78%
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.

79 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
69%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

79 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
80%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

79 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
20%
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 62% in 2012.

82 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
75%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

82 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
78%
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 Students91%
Female93%
Male88%
Blackn/a
Asian88%
Asian/Pacific Islander88%
Hispanic92%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White91%
Low income89%
Not low income92%
Special educationn/a
Not special education94%
Limited English83%
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students85%
Female95%
Male74%
Blackn/a
Asian84%
Asian/Pacific Islander85%
Hispanic69%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White91%
Low income79%
Not low income92%
Special educationn/a
Not special education89%
Limited English56%
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 Students77%
Female88%
Male64%
Black85%
Asian86%
Asian/Pacific Islander82%
Hispanic73%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White75%
Low income61%
Not low income97%
Special education43%
Not special education84%
Limited English55%
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students88%
Female90%
Male86%
Black100%
Asian91%
Asian/Pacific Islander86%
Hispanic91%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White90%
Low income84%
Not low income94%
Special education79%
Not special education91%
Limited English80%
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students52%
Female73%
Male28%
Black46%
Asian57%
Asian/Pacific Islander55%
Hispanic46%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White70%
Low income43%
Not low income64%
Special education21%
Not special education59%
Limited English30%
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 Students81%
Female76%
Male86%
Black56%
Asian85%
Asian/Pacific Islander83%
Hispanic91%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White95%
Low income75%
Not low income89%
Special educationn/a
Not special education88%
Limited English53%
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students86%
Female84%
Male88%
Black75%
Asian85%
Asian/Pacific Islander86%
Hispanic82%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White95%
Low income84%
Not low income89%
Special educationn/a
Not special education90%
Limited English67%
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students67%
Female68%
Male67%
Black50%
Asian74%
Asian/Pacific Islander72%
Hispanic46%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White85%
Low income59%
Not low income77%
Special educationn/a
Not special education72%
Limited English20%
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 Students87%
Female88%
Male85%
Black69%
Asian86%
Asian/Pacific Islander86%
Hispanic89%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White91%
Low income82%
Not low income92%
Special educationn/a
Not special education92%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students93%
Female95%
Male90%
Black92%
Asian86%
Asian/Pacific Islander86%
Hispanic89%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White100%
Low income91%
Not low income95%
Special educationn/a
Not special education95%
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
Asian/Pacific Islander 32% 9%
White 32% 64%
Black 14% 6%
Not provided 11% N/A
Hispanic 10% 16%
Native American 0% 3%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 51%N/A42%
Special education 10%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 26%N/A8%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 17N/A17
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years educational experience 9N/A12
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Master's degree or higher 82%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

12711 SE 248th St
Kent, WA 98030
Phone: (253) 373-7314

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