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GreatSchools Rating

Balboa Elementary School

Public | PK-6 | 397 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

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

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7 reviews of this school


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Posted September 1, 2011

This has the potential to be a great school. The new prinicple in 2010-11 is a far cry from the fabulous one prior to her. I have been extremely disappointed in her lack of social skills, as well as many other parents. The teachers and staff are wonderful, but when the head person is learning how to be in charge, it creates problems. Their test scores are also nothing great, but the opportunity for your child to excell is there.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 9, 2009

As a grandparent, what I know is that the kids love going to school and that they demonstrate the ability to engage in long conversations about their interests. The school and teachers have given them the necessary skills to be excited about life.


Posted October 8, 2009

'its awesome'per Daniel[9yrs/4th grade] I like it because they have a montessori program.My children are above their grade level in most of their subjects. They go on many excellant field trips one of which they explored a dairy operation and a science museum the next day.The parents are very involved.My children are involved in Scouting,Awanas,Mindstorms,soccer and many other different camps.which I attribute to the teachers being highly motivated and mind opening attitudes.Daniel's Father.Thankyou.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 7, 2009

This is a great school. The teachers are very comitted and the principal is a warm, intelligent, caring person. The location is also very nice.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 15, 2007

Excellent Spokane school! Dedicated teachers! Caring staff! You can't beat the wonderful atmosphere at this small, northside school! Parent involvement is high with many extracurricular activities (bingo night, carnival, Santa breakfast...too many to list all of them!). Don't let the older building distract you...this school is one of the best!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 22, 2003

The principal knows every child by name, as do the outdoor safety staff. Enrollment is low, making it a very close 'family' atmosphere. Teachers are excellent, friendly, and take time to learn students names and needs even if they are not that students teacher. A day never goes by that there are not several parents helping around the school. Although the district has cut extracurricular activity funding, a few teachers have put together programs on their own so students still benefit from those activities. Awesome school!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 11, 2003

Stable staff, great teachers, coordinated activities, 4 classrooms have Montessori Curriculum, 10% minority enrollment, one classroom for Developmentally Impaired students,some ratings were 4's only because I did not want to go over the top in enthusiasm.The school was built in 1961 and has been well maintained. The district last year passed a 30 year plan for upgrading all schools and increasing maitenance, including technology and security. The neighborhood is above the median in income and stable.
—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.

47 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
63%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 69% in 2012.

47 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
84%

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.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
73%

2011

 
 
66%

2010

 
 
48%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
70%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 61% in 2012.

56 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
66%
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.

66 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
57%

2010

 
 
66%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

66 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
78%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

66 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
38%
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.

60 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
68%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

60 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
76%

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

All Students77%
Female79%
Male74%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White76%
Low income64%
Not low income88%
Special educationn/a
Not special education81%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students83%
Female83%
Male83%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White84%
Low income73%
Not low income92%
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 Students73%
Female70%
Male76%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White73%
Low income62%
Not low income83%
Special educationn/a
Not special education75%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students75%
Female78%
Male73%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White77%
Low income54%
Not low income93%
Special educationn/a
Not special education77%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students68%
Female70%
Male68%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White71%
Low income50%
Not low income84%
Special educationn/a
Not special education70%
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 Students71%
Female63%
Male77%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White66%
Low income67%
Not low income75%
Special education40%
Not special education77%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students77%
Female78%
Male77%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White75%
Low income87%
Not low income69%
Special education40%
Not special education84%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students77%
Female74%
Male80%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White77%
Low income80%
Not low income75%
Special education50%
Not special education82%
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 Students70%
Female76%
Male66%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White74%
Low income55%
Not low income84%
Special educationn/a
Not special education78%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students75%
Female68%
Male80%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White74%
Low income69%
Not low income81%
Special educationn/a
Not special education82%
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 86% 64%
Not provided 7% N/A
Hispanic 3% 16%
Asian/Pacific Islander 2% 9%
Black 1% 6%
Native American 1% 3%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 36%N/A42%
Special education 19%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 1%N/A8%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 20N/A17
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years educational experience 14N/A12
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Master's degree or higher 90%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

3010 West Holyoke Ave
Spokane, WA 99208
Website: Click here
Phone: (509) 354-2220

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