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GreatSchools Rating

Michael T Simmons Elementary School

Public | PK-6 | 709 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 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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9 reviews of this school


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Posted December 12, 2011

I would have to agree with a previous poster. Terrible teachers and after only 2 weeks there my child who has special needs was not getting what he needed from this school or the teachers, even after talking to them several times and trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. He is being transferred to another school. I do not reccomend this school, especially if you have a child who needs special attention of any kind or if you want your child to be treated nicely, do not send them here. If you dont care about your childs spirit being broken then go for it.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 18, 2011

My son has been in 2 other schools and we have had no problems the 1st week in MTS and the teacher and principal are causing problems also they seem to enjoy talking down to parents of special needs children. We are very dissatisfied with this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 30, 2009

My daughter went here for Kindergarten (but we bought a new home and its out of this district. Very sad about that) This school is FANTASTIC! They seem to truly care about their students and try the hardest to make things work for everyone. The education and parent involvement is great too! Wish my daughter could still go here, but congrats to all that do!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 11, 2009

Great school and we have been very satisfied with their interest in the students. Away with the silly WASL!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 2, 2009

MTS is an excellent school. The principal is extraordinary and teachers are great. We have three children attending and feel very fortunate to be associated with this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 12, 2009

My family has had a long association with MTS and have found the staff to be exceptionally caring and professional. Not all of my children are 'easy' to have in a classroom, yet they have all loved their teachers there. Whenever discipline issues have arisen, my child has been allowed to both 'save face' and learn from the mistakes made. I appreciate that! Some highlights: 1. teachers in most grades work closely together so there are not huge differences from one class to the next. 2. excellent school/teacher--parent communication 3.strong special services dept 4. positive climate 5. emphasis on learning, not testing!! We couldn't be happier.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 12, 2009

I love this school! My kids went to another school before coming here and I have volunteered in many different schools and the differences between them is amazing. We chose where we moved based on this great school!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 13, 2008

Im impressed with the principlal, however, there are more than a few teachers that are unsatisfactory.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 27, 2008

I'm very happy with this school. My 3 children have attended over the past 4 years, and I've been very pleased. The teachers are great, and I really like the principal. I've had to discuss a couple of issues with her that have come up, and she is very professional and great about working with kids and parents. She knows all the kids by name. We're moving due to employment, and I'm sad to leave this school
—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.

78 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
72%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 69% in 2012.

78 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
87%
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.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
63%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
79%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 61% in 2012.

79 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
62%

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.

117 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
63%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

117 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
84%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

117 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
45%
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.

89 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
73%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

89 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
87%

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

All Students82%
Female78%
Male85%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White86%
Low income63%
Not low income94%
Special educationn/a
Not special education86%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students81%
Female87%
Male77%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White80%
Low income73%
Not low income86%
Special educationn/a
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

Math

All Students58%
Female59%
Male57%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White60%
Low income34%
Not low income71%
Special education17%
Not special education70%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students80%
Female80%
Male81%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White82%
Low income62%
Not low income90%
Special education28%
Not special education95%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students56%
Female68%
Male48%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White53%
Low income34%
Not low income69%
Special education17%
Not special education68%
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 Students78%
Female76%
Male80%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic85%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White77%
Low income58%
Not low income85%
Special education28%
Not special education87%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students82%
Female82%
Male82%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic92%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White83%
Low income65%
Not low income88%
Special education33%
Not special education91%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students83%
Female81%
Male85%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic92%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White84%
Low income68%
Not low income88%
Special education22%
Not special education94%
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 Students81%
Female80%
Male83%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White82%
Low income58%
Not low income91%
Special education17%
Not special education91%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students91%
Female94%
Male88%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White94%
Low income77%
Not low income97%
Special education42%
Not special education99%
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 80% 64%
Asian/Pacific Islander 6% 9%
Not provided 6% N/A
Black 3% 6%
Hispanic 3% 16%
Native American 2% 3%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 29%N/A42%
Special education 26%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 2%N/A8%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 16N/A17
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years educational experience 13N/A12
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Master's degree or higher 64%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1205 South 2nd Ave
Tumwater, WA 98512
Phone: (360) 709-7100

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