Compare Hightower Elementary School with Centennial Elementary School

Hightower Elementary School performed excellent to earn a State accountability rating of A (90-100) based on three domains: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps. Scores are scaled from 0 to 100 to align with letter grades. The school scored 93 in student achievement, 92 in school progress and 94 in closing performance gaps. It scored 93 overall in post-secondary readiness, a broad term that refers to student preparedness to undertake multiple pathways after graduation, or specifically, their preparedness for college education.

On the other hand, Centennial Elementary School earned a State accountability rating of B. The school posted 93 in student achievement, 92 in school progress, 81 in closing performance gaps and 89 overall in post-secondary readiness.

A distinction designation acknowledges districts and campuses for outstanding achievement based on the outcomes of several performance indicators. Distinction designations are awarded for achievement in several areas and are based on performance relative to a group of campuses of similar type, size, grade span, and student demographics.

It is in this area where the two schools differ. Hightower Elementary School's four out of seven distinctions are in Reading/English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science and post-secondary. Centennial Elementary School’s only distinction designation is in Mathematics.

Based on Racial/Ethnic Groups, Whites or Caucasians comprise the biggest group at Hightower Elementary School. They make up for 40.09% of student population, followed by Asians (24.15%), Hispanics (18.91%), African Americans (10.02%), Two or More Races (6.61%) and Native Americans (0.23%).

The student population at Centennial Elementary School is also predominantly by Asians at 39.22%, followed by Whites or Caucasians (34.91%), Hispanics (10.34%), African Americans (9.70%), Two or More Races (5.60%) and Native Americans (0.22%).

Based on household incomes, Hightower Elementary School’s economically disadvantaged students is significantly higher at 25.74% compared to 15.09% at Centennial Elementary School.

In terms of Limited English Proficiency (LEP), a term used in the United States that refers to a person who is not fluent in the English Language, mainly because it is not their native language, Hightower Elementary School has a higher number of English Language Learners comprising 18.00% of its student population compared to 15.95% at Centennial Elementary School.

In addition, Hightower Elementary School has 17.31% bilingual students, 7.74% are in the gifted and talented program, while 15.03% are in the special education program. This stacks up against Centennial Elementary School with 16.16% bilingual students, 14.87% gifted and talented students and 11.21% students in the special education program.

38 teachers employed at Hightower Elementary School have been teaching in the school for an average of about 7.7 years with individual teaching experience averaging 10.4 years. The 35 teachers at Centennial Elementary School have been serving the school for an average of 8.5 years with individual teaching experience averaging 10.1 years.

Of its teaching staff, Hightower Elementary School has one teacher only serving the school for over 30 years, has three teachers serving the school for 20-30 years, 12 teachers have worked for 11-20 years, eight teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 11 teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, including three beginning teachers. Centennial Elementary School no teacher serving the school for over 30 years, has four teachers serving the school for 20-30 years, 15 teachers have worked for 11-20 years, four teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while nine teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, including four beginning teachers.

In both schools, female teachers outnumber the male teachers. At Hightower Elementary School there are 36 female teachers and one male teacher only. Of its teaching staff, seven special education teachers are being assisted by seven teachers aides or paraprofessionals. In addition to its teaching staff, the school has two staff members in the school administration department and three more working as school support staff.

At Centennial Elementary School there are 33 female teachers and one male teacher only. Of its teaching staff, four special education teachers are being assisted by five teachers aides or paraprofessionals. In addition to its teaching staff, the school has two staff members in the school administration department and three more working as school support staff.