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Oakland Alternative High School

Public | 8-12 | 180 students

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About the school

Tacoma's Oakland Alternative High School is a public school serving 180 students in grades 8-12. It is alternative.

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Community ratings

4 stars

Community reviews

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If it weren't for Oaklanad, my son wouldn't have finished high school. The...
Oakland is a very innovative school, but test scores don't reflect the heart.

Student diversity

39% of students at this school are White.

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Tacoma School District

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Last modified May 10, 2013

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Community Rating

4 stars

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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Teacher quality

Teacher quality

These ratings reflect parents’ or students’ overall experience with the school’s teachers. Among other things, great teachers:

Talk to parents regularly about their children's progress.
Challenge students to learn.
Give students the attention they need to thrive in class.

Principal leadership

Principal leadership
This is an assessment of the principal, or other leadership, at the school. Among other things, strong principals or school leaders:

Reach out to parents.
Listen to and answer questions from parents and students.
Make efforts to improve the quality of the school.

Parent involvement

Parent involvement
A supportive community — which includes active, involved parents — is one mark of a great school. This rating reflects to what degree the school:

Offers opportunities for parent involvement.
Encourages all parents to volunteer.
Treats parents like partners, not outsiders.

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2 reviews of this school

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Show reviews by: Parents

Posted July 21, 2009

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If it weren't for Oaklanad, my son wouldn't have finished high school. The teachers were terrific and urged him to complete his studies. I have the highest praise for this school. Thank you.
—Submitted by a parent

Write your own review

Posted November 6, 2006

Report it

Oakland is a very innovative school, but test scores don't reflect the heart. I am very glad my student had the pleasure of attending this wonderful establishment as it was. This school is changing in the fall to more of an occupational school. Before it was work at your own pace, which is the reason my child attended. She wanted to finish high school early. Unfortunately, the long time principal of Oakland has retired. There new principal is more relaxed on some issues, but does not listen to what the students want when choosing what to change. I feel after the changes Oakland will go downhill quickly.
—Submitted by a parent

Write your own review

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.

Test scores
Ratings details

See results for:

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

Grade level

Math

The state average for Math was 56% in 2012.

16 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Reading

The state average for Reading was 67% in 2012.

14 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

13 students were tested at this school in 2012.

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 Students	0%
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Native American	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	0%
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	0%
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Reading

All Students	12%
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Native American	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	7%
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	12%
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Science

All Students	13%
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Native American	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	15%
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	13%
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

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

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 85% in 2012.

12 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

2011

Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 96% in 2012.

2012

n/a

Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 99% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Integrated Math 1

The state average for Integrated Math 1 was 97% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Integrated Math 2

The state average for Integrated Math 2 was 99% in 2011.

2011

n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Washington used End-of-Course (EOC) examinations to assess students in Algebra I, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, and Biology. The EOC tests are standards-based, which means they measure 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

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 56% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 81% in 2012.

2012

n/a

Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 91% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

17%

Integrated Math 1

The state average for Integrated Math 1 was 45% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Integrated Math 2

The state average for Integrated Math 2 was 94% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 27% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 61% in 2012.

46 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

31%

Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 59% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

21%

Integrated Math 1

The state average for Integrated Math 1 was 23% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Integrated Math 2

The state average for Integrated Math 2 was 36% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 27% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 44% in 2012.

2012

n/a

Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 37% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Integrated Math 1

The state average for Integrated Math 1 was 15% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Integrated Math 2

The state average for Integrated Math 2 was 21% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 20% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 36% in 2012.

2012

n/a

Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 27% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Integrated Math 1

The state average for Integrated Math 1 was 29% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

All Students	0%
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
Native American	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	0%
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Biology I

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Not special education	n/a

Geometry

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Not special education	n/a

Integrated Math 1

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Not special education	n/a

Integrated Math 2

Female

n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
Native American	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	n/a
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Biology I

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
Native American	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	n/a
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Geometry

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Not special education	n/a
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Integrated Math 1

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	n/a
Limited English	n/a

Integrated Math 2

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Not special education	n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	36%
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	n/a
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Biology I

All Students	31%
Female	36%
Male	24%
Black	12%
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
Native American	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White	46%
Low income	31%
Not low income	31%
Special education	n/a
Not special education	28%
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Geometry

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
Native American	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	n/a
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Integrated Math 1

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Not special education	n/a

Integrated Math 2

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	n/a
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Biology I

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	n/a
Limited English	n/a

Geometry

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
Multiracial	n/a
Native American	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	n/a
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Integrated Math 1

All Students

n/a

Integrated Math 2

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Special education	n/a
Not special education	n/a
Limited English	n/a

Biology I

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Not special education	n/a

Geometry

All Students	n/a
Female	n/a
Male	n/a
Black	n/a
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Low income	n/a
Not low income	n/a
Not special education	n/a
Limited English	n/a

Integrated Math 1

All Students	n/a
White	n/a
Not special education	n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

The state average for Math was 42% in 2010.

45 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

Reading

The state average for Reading was 81% in 2012.

53 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Science

The state average for Science was 50% in 2011.

50 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

2010

15%

Writing

The state average for Writing was 85% in 2012.

49 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Washington used the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) to test students in reading and writing in grade 10. Math skills are tested by the End-of-Course (EOC) exams. The HSPE 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

Reading

All Students	69%
Female	77%
Male	58%
Black	60%
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	64%
Native American	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White	78%
Low income	73%
Not low income	54%
Special education	n/a
Not special education	68%
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Writing

All Students	72%
Female	83%
Male	57%
Black	75%
Asian	n/a
Asian/Pacific Islander	n/a
Hispanic	55%
Native American	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White	79%
Low income	72%
Not low income	71%
Special education	n/a
Not special education	75%
Limited English	n/a
Migrant	n/a

Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

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 »

By grade

Grade 8
 
1
Grade 10
 
3
All students
 
2

By gender

Female
 
5
Male
 
2
All students
 
2

By ethnicity

Black
 
2
Hispanic
 
3
White
 
6
All students
 
2

By other groups

Low income
 
2
Not low income
 
3
Not special education
 
2
All students
 
2

Students
Teachers

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity	This school	State average
White	39%	64%
Black	27%	6%
Asian/Pacific Islander	17%	9%
Hispanic	11%	16%
Native American	5%	3%

Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student subgroups

	This school	District average	State average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program	45%	N/A	42%
Special education	5%	N/A	13%
Transitional bilingual	1%	N/A	8%

Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

	This school	District average	State average
Students per classroom teacher	17	N/A	17

Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher experience

	This school	District average	State average
Average years educational experience	9	N/A	12

Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher education levels

	This school	District average	State average
Master's degree or higher	57%	N/A	66%

Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Programs & resources
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3319 South Adams St
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 571-1387

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4 stars

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How do you rate this school in these additional areas?

2 reviews of this school

Math

Reading

Science

About the tests

Math

Reading

Science

About the tests

Algebra I

Biology I

Geometry

Integrated Math 1

Integrated Math 2

About the tests

Algebra I

Biology I

Geometry

Integrated Math 1

Integrated Math 2

About the tests

Algebra I

Biology I

Geometry

Integrated Math 1

Integrated Math 2

About the tests

Algebra I

Biology I

Geometry

Integrated Math 1

Integrated Math 2

About the tests

Algebra I

Biology I

Geometry

Integrated Math 1

About the tests

Algebra I

Biology I

Geometry

Integrated Math 1

Integrated Math 2

About the tests

Algebra I

Biology I

Geometry

Integrated Math 1

Integrated Math 2

About the tests

Algebra I

Biology I

Geometry

Integrated Math 1

Integrated Math 2

About the tests

Algebra I

Biology I

Geometry

Integrated Math 1

Integrated Math 2

About the tests

Algebra I

Biology I

Geometry

Integrated Math 1

About the tests

Math

Reading

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