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GreatSchools Rating

Helen Haller Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 552 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted June 17, 2009

Both my children had excellent experiences at Helen Haller for their first year being in public school. My son loved Mrs. Marcy who went out of her way to make sure my child - and every child in the class - succeeded in every area. Miss Grotzke is a fantastic and well loved Kindergarten teacher. My daughter turned out to be an above average reader, and again, the teacher went out of her way to continue challenging her. As for the leadership of the principal and the comments about 'it's not the Marines'....a little structure, consistency and discipline has gone a long way in making this school a success. Sure, he doesn't get it right at every turn, but on the whole an excellent leader and motivator.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 28, 2009

My daughter in 3rd grade and she has being Bullied by her classmates. This has effected her tremendously. The school seem to have failed to stop this from happening. But I think the school is a great school and has a family type enviornment.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 15, 2009

This is in response to the parent who submitted on Nov 18 08. 'Mr. Ricco,' as he is known, is probably the absolute BEST principal I have ever dealt with. My children loved AND respected him. His unconditional belief in the ability of EVERY child to learn and succeed was clearly stated and lived out in his administration. One of my deepest regrets in leaving the area last year was removing my children from Helen Haller and the positive influence of Mr. Ricco, and indeed, the entire teaching and administrative staff. Helen Haller is an exceptional school in every sense.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 18, 2008

This school needs a clean sweep. the Principal has the worst attitude i have seen in a school. Its his way or the highway. He is rude to some kids and parents. His leadership is poor and lacks the skills that he needs to help troubled kids. This is not the marines.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 29, 2008

Some of the best teachers I've ever experienced - an example is Jane LaBelume. She is the best teacher I've ever dealt with. My children adored her. She loves every child like they are her own and she finds a way to get the best from each of them. On the negative side, though I thought the principal, was energetic and committed, he was very rigid and wasn't good at listening to or addressing individual issues raised about a specific child. His rigid stance resulted in our moving our children elsewhere to find a good environment for their education. A good man, but he needs to work on flexibility - this is school, not the marines.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 20, 2006

Extremely energetic principal who is building a first class staff and student environment. Very open to parent participation. School supports weekly specialists in P.E., music, library and science for grades 1-5. Very active PTO. Facilities could use serious upgrade--almost 30 years old.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 11, 2006

I have been very pleased with the Sequim School district. I think over all the teachers are caring, and supportive. It is a little like being back a few decades even in the high school kids tend to be respectful. It has been an amazing school district in which to raise my children.
—Submitted by Janelle Hankinson, a parent


Posted September 5, 2003

I am a long time ago former student of Helen Haller Elementary school. 1979 - 1982, I think it was. I am now almost 29 years old and found this site today. I remember my school days as if they were yesterday. I remember Helen Haller being a great school, with great teachers. I'd have to say it was the best school I went to in my school years. Mrs. Prince, Mrs. Lunderville, Ms. Monroe, Mrs. Craker, and Mr. Janell were my teachers. I'd love to know if any of them are still teaching. After 4th grade I moved to California, and I'd definitely have to say this was the best school I went to.
—Submitted by a former student


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.

92 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
67%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 69% in 2012.

93 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
77%
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.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
61%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
73%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 61% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
67%
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.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
55%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
78%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
40%
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 Students67%
Female60%
Male75%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White69%
Low income55%
Not low income81%
Special education58%
Not special education69%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students76%
Female71%
Male81%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White79%
Low income72%
Not low income81%
Special education62%
Not special education79%
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 Students64%
Female59%
Male69%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic54%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White67%
Low income50%
Not low income79%
Special educationn/a
Not special education66%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students78%
Female79%
Male77%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic77%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White78%
Low income67%
Not low income90%
Special educationn/a
Not special education83%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students76%
Female76%
Male75%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic69%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White76%
Low income65%
Not low income88%
Special educationn/a
Not special education79%
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%
Female78%
Male75%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic93%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White70%
Low income63%
Not low income86%
Special education23%
Not special education84%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students82%
Female84%
Male80%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic93%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White80%
Low income70%
Not low income91%
Special education31%
Not special education90%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students80%
Female78%
Male82%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic72%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White82%
Low income70%
Not low income88%
Special education39%
Not special education86%
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 84% 64%
Hispanic 6% 16%
Native American 5% 3%
Asian/Pacific Islander 3% 9%
Black 2% 6%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 50%N/A42%
Special education 14%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 2%N/A8%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 19N/A17
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years educational experience 15N/A12
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Master's degree or higher 63%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

350 West Fir St
Sequim, WA 98382
Website: Click here
Phone: (360) 582-3200

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