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GreatSchools Rating

Collins Elementary School

Public | PK-5 | 404 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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7 reviews of this school


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Posted June 5, 2008

Collins has been a positive learning place for my son. In fact, he got accepted at Brookdale Elementary for a 'Project Excel' program in the fall, but I would much rather have him stay at Collins. The staff and faculty at Collins are always helpful, friendly, and caring. A good child deserves a good school=]
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 7, 2006

This has been a great school for my son to go to and my daughter went here as well. The teachers care about the students and there are a good group of ladies that organize all of the school activities.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 8, 2006

My children have attended Collins for three years. The faculty cares about the students. There are numerous extracurricular activities such as choir, marimba band, unicycle club, etc. PTA is very active in the school, organizing various activities such as movie nights, carnivals, and game nights. They have a fifth grade camp every year in which they go to a YMCA camp for two nights.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 21, 2005

I have had 4 children who currently attend, or have previously attended Collins. I have found the staff to be friendly and genuinely interested in offering their best for their students. The after school unicycle program is an outstanding opportunity for athletes and non-athletes to demonstrate learned skills and dedication. The music program offers the students the opportunity to play a variety of instruments and experiment with music. I am not a proponent of the Everyday Math curriculum. I believe the students should master a concept before learning a new one, and Everyday Math does not allow enough practice on a given topic before the students move on to other topics. Grades k-2 have just started Read Well for learning to read. The Step Up to Writing seems overly structed, but appears to be a good STARTING point for Writing. The PTA is an active, positive addition to the school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 1, 2005

Collins Elementary is a very safe and excellent school. All the teachers are very nice and well educated. I have 2 children in the school and think very highly of the school and all the teachers and staff. Their music programs and other programs they offer are a great start in the academic world.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 25, 2004

This school byfar is a great school all my kids love this school they come home with great big happy smiles on their beautiful faces.Collins elementary school is a fantastic school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 16, 2004

This is one of the best school that I have ever worked at. The kids feel safe and supported and the staff believes that all children can learn. We have a very active PTA and parent base. There is choir, band, and unicycle after school programs. Our school follws the safe and civil schools methods and is dedicated to creating a positive learning environment.
—Submitted by a teacher


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.

54 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
56%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 69% in 2012.

54 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
64%
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.

53 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
51%

2011

 
 
47%

2010

 
 
58%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

53 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
74%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 61% in 2012.

52 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
57%

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
44%
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.

71 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
45%

2011

 
 
55%

2010

 
 
47%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

73 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
76%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

73 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
49%

2011

 
 
49%

2010

 
 
13%
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 Students83%
Female85%
Male82%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White83%
Low income74%
Not low income96%
Special educationn/a
Not special education83%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students65%
Female80%
Male56%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White63%
Low income45%
Not low income91%
Special educationn/a
Not special education67%
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 Students51%
Female54%
Male48%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic40%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White53%
Low income43%
Not low income61%
Special educationn/a
Not special education51%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students62%
Female69%
Male56%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic70%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White66%
Low income60%
Not low income65%
Special educationn/a
Not special education65%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students57%
Female73%
Male41%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic60%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White56%
Low income57%
Not low income57%
Special educationn/a
Not special education61%
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 Students45%
Female65%
Male27%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic27%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White55%
Low income26%
Not low income69%
Special educationn/a
Not special education48%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students64%
Female89%
Male42%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic62%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White72%
Low income51%
Not low income81%
Special educationn/a
Not special education70%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students49%
Female63%
Male37%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic31%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White62%
Low income32%
Not low income72%
Special educationn/a
Not special education53%
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 65% 64%
Asian/Pacific Islander 10% 9%
Hispanic 9% 16%
Not provided 9% N/A
Black 6% 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 48%N/A42%
Special education 14%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 7%N/A8%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 18N/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 75%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

4608 128th St East
Tacoma, WA 98446
Phone: (253) 535-9888

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