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GreatSchools Rating

Highland Park Elementary School

Public | PK-5 | 419 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

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

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Parent involvement

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11 reviews of this school


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Posted July 28, 2011

Can't say enough about this school! Loved it from 1st to 5th! I think because of the bad scores which are almost impossible to change with so much esl, that the teachers worked overtime to care for and teach the kids in very creative and fun ways! They would constantly have fun learning events for the kids . I have never seen teachers pour their hearts into their jobs as much as here. And as far as the education goes, my daughter went on to virtually skip a grade at a great math academy and I know it's because Highland Park continued to challenge her since the first grade and provide many learning experiences that most schools don't have time for. She even had a teacher take some kids to meet the mayor, in her free time! Not counting the great drama and music opportunities that they offer the kids, they also do fun WASL prep. And for the parents worried about not seeing much homework coming home, it's the budget cuts. When my daughter first started we had tons of paper coming home but I was told in later years that teachers were forced to pay for their own paper so they began conserving and condensing home assignments. And a very healthy and diverse cafeteria menu!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 28, 2011

I have a first grader. I'm not seeing much writing coming home so it is hard to evaluate growth in this skill. I'd like to see more writing.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 17, 2009

Everything about Highland Park is great. Our twin sons love it there, the teachers seem to really care about the children. It is a great environment for learning.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 26, 2009

As far as the principal leadership goes she is good as long as what she is doing only has to do with the children and their needs. Other that that she knows how to put on a show... And a good one for evening events. All the rest of the staff at this school rocks! caring, loving teachers that only want the very best for all the kids. Spend time at this school and make up you own mind.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 25, 2009

I think they are trying hard to change what others think. There are many spirit days and things going on. I met the principal Ann Gray at an afterschool activity night last week, and she was serving pizza and was very kind as far as I could tell. There does seem to be a big turn around in staff, but I'm not sure why.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 19, 2008

I would like to say first and foremost that the teachers at Highland Park are not all new, young & inexperienced and we Do know better! I am currently teaching at Highland Park and enjoy it! I have been teaching more than ten years and have experienced bad principals...I would not consider Ann Gray one of those. She is a strong leader who wants the best for ALL students. She is also a strong minded woman which many find intimidating. She says what she means and means what she says. Some people can't handle that. If you want your child to have an advocate in the district that looks out for the true needs of the students, Ann Gray would be her. I am not a 'kiss up' nor a 'brown noser' I simply know what's best for kids. I am a well liked and respected teacher replying to post: 10/9/08
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted July 27, 2008

I love this school, The teachers are great, they genuinly care for thier students. The faculty at Highland park are wonderful. My daughter has been going to this school for 3 years and will be entering her forth this year. I am very glad we chose this school for her to attend.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 26, 2005

The school has been working hard to improve their scores. Looping is done in the first and second grade and it is very successful. They have a new principal which I think is a huge improvement over the last one. We needed more active parents to help our school grow and acheive more. There are many amazing teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 7, 2005

The academic programs are fairly standard, but the teachers care about their students. Caucasion students are the minority here. Parent involvement is minimal.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 23, 2004

Seattle School District has imposed the present principal Ann Gray without any parent, staff or community involvement. Ann Gray failed at previous high ranking positions within the Seattle School District. She failed as head of Title I funds. She failed as head of ESL department. She leaves behind her only failure and volatile relationaships. Her abusive and non professional manner in which she treats students, teachers, and employees is responsible for causing about 13 employees to quit their positions within Highland Park within six months (one of the persons to have left is the head teacher). Most of the best teachers have left and that does not fill me with much hope considering that this is a school that is in jeopardy academically.
—Submitted by a staff


Posted February 1, 2004

Its a good clean school with some good teachers, but it lacks school spirit with no extra fun activitys. Academic is good.
—Submitted by s d, 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.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
38%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 69% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
53%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
47%
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.

68 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
44%

2011

 
 
30%

2010

 
 
48%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

68 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
32%

2010

 
 
57%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 61% in 2012.

65 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
46%

2011

 
 
27%

2010

 
 
52%
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.

65 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
37%

2011

 
 
37%

2010

 
 
49%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

65 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
42%

2011

 
 
38%

2010

 
 
56%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

65 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
35%

2011

 
 
19%

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 Students39%
Female50%
Male29%
Black29%
Asian63%
Asian/Pacific Islander60%
Hispanic32%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White30%
Low income36%
Not low income50%
Special education21%
Not special education43%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students53%
Female64%
Male44%
Black47%
Asian58%
Asian/Pacific Islander55%
Hispanic42%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White70%
Low income49%
Not low income69%
Special education14%
Not special education62%
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 Students44%
Female45%
Male43%
Blackn/a
Asian75%
Asian/Pacific Islander75%
Hispanic25%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White40%
Low income40%
Not low income64%
Special education8%
Not special education52%
Limited English20%
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students56%
Female55%
Male57%
Blackn/a
Asian75%
Asian/Pacific Islander75%
Hispanic30%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White80%
Low income49%
Not low income91%
Special education33%
Not special education61%
Limited English27%
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students46%
Female53%
Male37%
Blackn/a
Asian71%
Asian/Pacific Islander71%
Hispanic35%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Whiten/a
Low income39%
Not low income82%
Special education8%
Not special education54%
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 Students37%
Female39%
Male35%
Blackn/a
Asian81%
Asian/Pacific Islander81%
Hispanic25%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White17%
Low income34%
Not low income50%
Special education10%
Not special education42%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students42%
Female39%
Male44%
Blackn/a
Asian69%
Asian/Pacific Islander69%
Hispanic42%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White25%
Low income40%
Not low income50%
Special education20%
Not special education46%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students35%
Female39%
Male32%
Blackn/a
Asian56%
Asian/Pacific Islander56%
Hispanic33%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White25%
Low income28%
Not low income67%
Special education20%
Not special education38%
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 31% 9%
Hispanic 29% 16%
Black 19% 6%
White 17% 64%
Native American 3% 3%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 81%N/A42%
Special education 14%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 25%N/A8%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 15N/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 57%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1012 SW Trenton St
Seattle, WA 98106
Phone: (206) 252-8240

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