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GreatSchools Rating

West Mercer Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 704 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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

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11 reviews of this school


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Posted October 28, 2012

Our grandson now has his sister's favorite teacher and he is finally really getting involved with learning! I think the school's great -- just wish they were a little more open to volunteers, as Montlake, in Seattle is. I've been there twice to bring cupcakes for Will's birthday, but would love to meet his teacher.


Posted May 5, 2012

The teachers are excellent. I've been pleased with the balance of academic rigor that also respects the pace of learning for each child. Even in 1st grade, there was quite a bit of homework and weekly spelling tests. From day 1, my child was taught to embrace Kelso's choices for conflict resolution. When he was bullied (1x), the teacher escalated the incident to the principal and the school counselor got involved. The issue was immediately resolved. Teachers are super responsive to any questions or issues when I reach out to them. They have an art docent program, music room, and small computer lab. Also, a certified King County Level 1 Green school. My child has benefitted from after school lego clubs and art clubs.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 16, 2011

West Mercer is an average school at best. The principal is interested only in making sure that there are no ripples in the water. Bullying? Sweep it under the rug. Sub-optimal teachers? Ignore it! I would rate my child's experience at WME as mediocre at best. Parents run the show; they forced out two principals while my child was there for no other reason than "we didn't like them". Translated: they didn't bow to our every demand for our "perfect" children. I'll never understand parents who think they know what's "best" for every child.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 15, 2010

Children all seem to like the teachers and the other students. Parents receive well-designed progress reports regularly. The PTA is active. It is a good size so that kids know one another ... which is important as they progress to the common middle and high schools.


Posted April 9, 2010

Our 2 children attend West Mercer and we couldn't be happier. Our son is in the 4th grade and our daughter is in 2nd grade. The curriculum, teachers, staff, facilities, parent involvement and extracurricular activities that West Mercer offers are top notch.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 29, 2007

We have had 3 children at this elementary after attending a large parochial school in the midwest. WM is an amazing community as well as fantastic academic preparation for middle school. The environment is positive, encouraging while holding kids responsible for their actions and choices. Teachers are simply remarkable in their dedication, interim principal has been a real source organization and unity and parents are literally tripping over each other in the halls to volunteer and participate!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 13, 2006

The best gifted program and the best teacher-Mr. Headlee. My son truly enjoys his studying in this class and he has learned a lot since he transferred here last year.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 19, 2006

Good combination of material and interest. As well as permeating the curriculum, music, and arts, as well as sports and estracurricular activities are superb. Dedicated and accomplished teachers that go the extra mile. Parents are extremely involved- one of the hallmarks of the community in general.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 11, 2006

West Mercer is an excellent public school that successfully combines great teachers, extracurricular acitivities, educational resources and materials with an inspiring level of parent involvemet.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 7, 2004

The school seems organized and my child's teacher is very involved in her education. However, there seem to be very many days that the children are not in school for one reason or another. We learned that every Monday was 'early release' only after school had started, which really threw my husband's and my work schedules as we were not able to prepare. Also, the KAP program is more expensive than any other school in the state, which also does not figure in the early release days and miscellaneous days off for fund-raisers, teachers planning, etc.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 18, 2004

Teachers are good but very strong willed and tend to have enerything from curriculum to days off acoording to just their desres without comment from parents.
—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.

131 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
86%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 69% in 2012.

131 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
96%
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.

116 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
85%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

116 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
91%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 61% in 2012.

116 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
84%
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.

140 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
84%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

140 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
94%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

140 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
68%
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%
Female91%
Male91%
Blackn/a
Asian95%
Asian/Pacific Islander95%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White89%
Low incomen/a
Not low income91%
Special education67%
Not special education94%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students93%
Female98%
Male89%
Blackn/a
Asian100%
Asian/Pacific Islander100%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White91%
Low incomen/a
Not low income94%
Special education73%
Not special education96%
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 Students88%
Female81%
Male94%
Blackn/a
Asian100%
Asian/Pacific Islander100%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White86%
Low incomen/a
Not low income88%
Special educationn/a
Not special education90%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students92%
Female94%
Male91%
Blackn/a
Asian100%
Asian/Pacific Islander100%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White90%
Low incomen/a
Not low income94%
Special educationn/a
Not special education95%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students92%
Female93%
Male92%
Blackn/a
Asian96%
Asian/Pacific Islander96%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White91%
Low incomen/a
Not low income94%
Special educationn/a
Not special education93%
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 Students86%
Female89%
Male83%
Blackn/a
Asian85%
Asian/Pacific Islander85%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White87%
Low incomen/a
Not low income88%
Special educationn/a
Not special education88%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students93%
Female99%
Male88%
Blackn/a
Asian92%
Asian/Pacific Islander92%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White92%
Low incomen/a
Not low income94%
Special educationn/a
Not special education95%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students89%
Female94%
Male86%
Blackn/a
Asian89%
Asian/Pacific Islander89%
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White89%
Low incomen/a
Not low income92%
Special educationn/a
Not special education92%
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 73% 64%
Asian/Pacific Islander 19% 9%
Hispanic 2% 16%
Black 1% 6%
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 4%N/A42%
Special education 12%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 0%N/A8%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 16N/A17
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years educational experience 13N/A12
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Master's degree or higher 78%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

4141 81st Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
Phone: (206) 236-3430

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