Gretchen Whitney High School
Gretchen Whitney High School
About This School
Public School | Grades 7-12 | Abc Unified
Gretchen Whitney High School is located in Cerritos, CA and is one of 31 schools in Abc Unified School District. It is a public school that serves 1023 students in grades 7-12.
Gretchen Whitney High School made AYP in 2012. Under No Child Left Behind, a school makes Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) if it achieves the minimum levels of improvement determined by the state of California in terms of student performance and other accountability measures. See Gretchen Whitney High School's test results to learn more about school performance.
A school's Academic Performance Index (API) is a scale that ranges from 200 to 1000 and is calculated from the school's performance in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. The state has set 800 as the API target for all schools to meet.
Gretchen Whitney High School had an API growth score of 995 in 2012. California uses the Academic Performance Index (API) to measure annual school performance and year-to-year improvement. Gretchen Whitney High School's 2012 base score was 993 and the school did meet its 2012 school-wide growth target.
In 2010, Gretchen Whitney High School had 24 students for every full-time equivalent teacher. The California average is 24 students per full-time equivalent teacher. Learn more about Gretchen Whitney High School's students and teachers. more
Gretchen Whitney High School made AYP in 2012. Under No Child Left Behind, a school makes Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) if it achieves the minimum levels of improvement determined by the state of California in terms of student performance and other accountability measures. See Gretchen Whitney High School's test results to learn more about school performance.
A school's Academic Performance Index (API) is a scale that ranges from 200 to 1000 and is calculated from the school's performance in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. The state has set 800 as the API target for all schools to meet.
Gretchen Whitney High School had an API growth score of 995 in 2012. California uses the Academic Performance Index (API) to measure annual school performance and year-to-year improvement. Gretchen Whitney High School's 2012 base score was 993 and the school did meet its 2012 school-wide growth target.
In 2010, Gretchen Whitney High School had 24 students for every full-time equivalent teacher. The California average is 24 students per full-time equivalent teacher. Learn more about Gretchen Whitney High School's students and teachers. more
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Nearby Cities
Schools Nearby
Legend:public schoolsprivate schools
| School Name distance | TestRating | Community Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Abc Secondary (Alternative) School 0.6 miles |  |
|
| Carmenita Middle School 0.6 miles |  |
|
| Abc Adult 0.9 miles | n/a | |
| Tracy (Wilbur) High (Continuation) High School 1 miles |  |
|
| Cerritos High School 1.1 miles |  |
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Gretchen Whitney High School
As of the 2008-09 school year, Whitney High school no longer offers AP English Literature. The school will only offer the standard level English for its seniors. The talk among most seniors is that this change was made to protect seniors who are not interested in pushing themselves by taking the hardest level classes available. By getting rid of AP, Whitney has essentially leveled the playing field but at the expense of not pushing the communities most talented students with the most difficult coursework.
Additionally, recent controversy has been stirring among the seniors about "Panel Interviews." During these "interviews," seniors must defend their college lists before a panel of faculty members, generally consisting of one counselor, a principal, and two teachers. During these panel interviews the Principal Hager and Mrs. Logan (counselor) have told numerous students that they should not apply to the most elite private schools and the counselors and principals are unwilling to write the counselor recommendations on behalf of the seniors because they do not want to sully the reputation of Whitney with the best colleges in the nation. Students often emerge from the panel interviews in tears.
I understand the need to advise a student to have a well rounded and safe school list. I also understand that students can be too ambitious. But what I cannot understand is how a school who prides itself on sending 100% of its graduating seniors to 4 year colleges can so blatantly disregard and deride the ambitions of their students. Most of these seniors have spent six years at Whitney, believing that their high school careers will culminate with applications to and acceptances from elite colleges. Most students, probably thanks to their educations, believed in at least trying, even if their chances of being accepted were slim. How can Whitney educate its students for 6 years only to tell them that they can't, shouldn't, or will not be made able to apply to their dream school?
Whitney's reputation was built years ago by better, more caring faculty and staff. If the school continues its current course, it will surely find itself behind other public schools.
As of the 2008-09 school year, Whitney High school no longer offers AP English Literature. The school will only offer the standard level English for its seniors. The talk among most seniors is that this change was made to protect seniors who are not interested in pushing themselves by taking the hardest level classes available. By getting rid of AP, Whitney has essentially leveled the playing field but at the expense of not pushing the communities most talented students with the most difficult coursework.
Additionally, recent controversy has been stirring among the seniors about "Panel Interviews." During these "interviews," seniors must defend their college lists before a panel of faculty members, generally consisting of one counselor, a principal, and two teachers. During these panel interviews the Principal Hager and Mrs. Logan (counselor) have told numerous students that they should not apply to the most elite private schools and the counselors and principals are unwilling to write the counselor recommendations on behalf of the seniors because they do not want to sully the reputation of Whitney with the best colleges in the nation. Students often emerge from the panel interviews in tears.
I understand the need to advise a student to have a well rounded and safe school list. I also understand that students can be too ambitious. But what I cannot understand is how a school who prides itself on sending 100% of its graduating seniors to 4 year colleges can so blatantly disregard and deride the ambitions of their students. Most of these seniors have spent six years at Whitney, believing that their high school careers will culminate with applications to and acceptances from elite colleges. Most students, probably thanks to their educations, believed in at least trying, even if their chances of being accepted were slim. How can Whitney educate its students for 6 years only to tell them that they can't, shouldn't, or will not be made able to apply to their dream school?
Whitney's reputation was built years ago by better, more caring faculty and staff. If the school continues its current course, it will surely find itself behind other public schools.
Submitted
on Oct 13, 2008
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Students
Enrollment (2011)
Total: 1023
51%
49%
Student Economic Level (2011)
In 2011, Gretchen Whitney High School had 17% of students eligible for free or reduced price lunch programs. California had 53% of eligible students for free or reduced price lunch programs. Eligibility for the National School Lunch Program is based on family income levels.Student Ethnicity (2011)
Asian/Pacific Islander
82%
Hispanic
10%
White
4%
Black
3%
Two or More Races
1%
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Abc Unified District Spending
$8,507Per Pupil
The Abc Unified spends $8,507 per pupil in current expenditures. The district spends 63% on instruction, 34% on support services, 3% on other elementary and secondary expenditures. More about Abc Unified District
24:1STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO
In 2010, Gretchen Whitney High School had 24 students for every full-time equivalent teacher.
Compare to other schools in Abc Unified School DistrictTest Scores
About the CST
What is it?
The California Standards Test (CST) is an annual exam used to measure a student's mastery of the state's grade-level academic standards. The CST is one of the five components of the STAR Program.
Which Grades and Subjects?
Students are assessed in grades 2 through 11 in English language arts and math, in grades 5, 8 and 10 in science, and in grades 8, 10 and 11 in history/social science. In grades 9 through 11, students may also be assessed in math and science, depending on course enrollment.
How is it Scored?
Students receive one of five ratings: far below basic, below basic, basic, proficient or advanced. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.
About the CAHSEE
What is it?
The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is used to measure student mastery of specific skills as determined by the state. Students must pass both sections of the exam in order to graduate from high school.
Which Grades and Subjects?
Each student is assessed in grade 10 in English language arts and math. Students can retake the exam up to five times after grade 10.
How is it Scored?
The CAHSEE is an untimed pass/fail test. The goal is for all students to pass both sections of the test.
About the CAT6
What is it?
The California Achievement Test (CAT/6) is a series of nationally norm-referenced tests that assess general academic knowledge in core subjects, as well as providing national comparisons. The CAT/6 test is one of the five components of the STAR Program.
Which Grades and Subjects?
Students in grades 3 and 7 are assessed in reading, language arts, spelling and math.
How is it Scored?
Students receive a percentile rank, which indicates how well they performed in comparison to their peers in other states. The goal is for all students to score at or above the national average, or 50th percentile, on the test.
Language
school
98%
district
53%
state
45%
Mathematics
school
99%
district
60%
state
51%
Reading
school
99%
district
51%
state
47%
Spelling
school
99%
district
71%
state
59%
Algebra I
school
100%
district
92%
state
77%
English Language Arts
school
98%
district
54%
state
46%
Math
school
96%
district
49%
state
39%
Algebra I
school
88%
district
61%
state
38%
English Language Arts
school
96%
district
51%
state
41%
Geometry
school
100%
district
97%
state
83%
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative
school
95%
district
52%
state
35%
Algebra I
school
63%
district
41%
state
17%
Algebra II
school
100%
district
84%
state
65%
Biology/Life Sciences
school
98%
district
46%
state
47%
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
59%
state
47%
Geometry
school
95%
district
71%
state
44%
World History
school
96%
district
79%
state
29%
English-Language Arts
school
100%
district
84%
state
77%
Math
school
100%
district
84%
state
76%
Algebra II
school
87%
district
59%
state
35%
Chemistry
school
85%
district
40%
state
39%
English Language Arts
school
99%
district
47%
state
37%
Geometry
school
87%
district
16%
state
13%
High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11)
school
97%
district
87%
state
65%
Algebra II
school
85%
district
30%
state
12%
Chemistry
school
79%
district
28%
state
26%
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
43%
state
37%
High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11)
school
92%
district
74%
state
44%
Physics
school
86%
district
53%
state
42%
U.S. History
school
96%
district
40%
state
35%
change 2%
Language
school
100%
district
55%
state
47%
change 1%
Mathematics
school
100%
district
60%
state
52%
change 1%
Reading
school
100%
district
55%
state
49%
change 1%
Spelling
school
98%
district
73%
state
60%
no change
Algebra I
school
100%
district
87%
state
80%
change 2%
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
57%
state
49%
change 4%
Math
school
100%
district
46%
state
41%
change 8%
Algebra I
school
95%
district
60%
state
42%
change 1%
English Language Arts
school
97%
district
54%
state
45%
no change
Geometry
school
100%
district
94%
state
84%
change 2%
History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative
school
97%
district
55%
state
36%
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
98%
district
62%
state
52%
change 11%
Algebra I
school
70%
district
35%
state
18%
no change
Algebra II
school
100%
district
94%
state
66%
change 1%
Biology/Life Sciences
school
97%
district
67%
state
52%
change 1%
English Language Arts
school
99%
district
63%
state
49%
change 2%
Geometry
school
93%
district
61%
state
43%
change 1%
World History
school
95%
district
75%
state
36%
no change
English-Language Arts
school
100%
district
85%
state
79%
no change
Math
school
100%
district
87%
state
78%
change 1%
Algebra II
school
88%
district
71%
state
36%
change 7%
Chemistry
school
91%
district
44%
state
41%
no change
English Language Arts
school
99%
district
54%
state
41%
change 30%
Geometry
school
61%
district
16%
state
12%
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
100%
district
51%
state
40%
Summative High School Mathematics (Grade 9-11)
school
92%
district
83%
state
68%
change 46%
Algebra II
school
46%
district
30%
state
11%
change 8%
Chemistry
school
85%
district
42%
state
25%
change 1%
English Language Arts
school
99%
district
44%
state
37%
change 3%
Physics
school
83%
district
53%
state
47%
Summative High School Mathematics (Grade 9-11)
school
93%
district
73%
state
43%
no change
U.S. History
school
96%
district
44%
state
38%
no change
Algebra I
school
100%
district
92%
state
81%
change 1%
English Language Arts
school
99%
district
63%
state
54%
change 1%
Math
school
99%
district
51%
state
43%
change 4%
Algebra I
school
99%
district
65%
state
44%
change 3%
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
59%
state
48%
no change
Geometry
school
100%
district
93%
state
87%
change 2%
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
100%
district
68%
state
56%
Social Science Grade 8
school
99%
district
57%
state
42%
change 2%
Algebra II
school
98%
district
85%
state
65%
Biology
school
95%
district
59%
state
51%
no change
English Language Arts
school
99%
district
60%
state
50%
no change
Geometry
school
93%
district
66%
state
47%
change 1%
World History
school
94%
district
85%
state
41%
no change
English-Language Arts
school
100%
district
85%
state
79%
no change
Math
school
100%
district
88%
state
80%
change 2%
Algebra II
school
86%
district
64%
state
37%
change 3%
Chemistry
school
94%
district
60%
state
44%
change 1%
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
57%
state
44%
change 7%
Geometry
school
57%
district
25%
state
14%
change 1%
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
99%
district
57%
state
44%
Summative High School Mathematics
school
97%
district
96%
state
71%
change 39%
Algebra II
school
28%
district
25%
state
12%
change 13%
Chemistry
school
96%
district
39%
state
27%
change 1%
English Language Arts
school
98%
district
51%
state
40%
change 12%
Physics
school
93%
district
57%
state
50%
Summative High School Mathematics
school
92%
district
81%
state
47%
change 4%
U.S. History
school
100%
district
59%
state
44%
Algebra I
school
99%
district
49%
state
28%
Algebra II
school
83%
district
53%
state
28%
Biology
school
95%
district
50%
state
42%
Chemistry
school
93%
district
52%
state
36%
Geometry
school
91%
district
48%
state
26%
Physics
school
93%
district
57%
state
46%
Summative High School Mathematics
school
94%
district
85%
state
50%
World History
school
92%
district
52%
state
38%
no change
Algebra I
school
100%
district
91%
state
85%
no change
English Language Arts
school
99%
district
63%
state
55%
change 1%
Math
school
100%
district
55%
state
49%
change 1%
Algebra I
school
100%
district
70%
state
46%
no change
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
65%
state
54%
no change
Geometry
school
100%
district
94%
state
86%
no change
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
100%
district
74%
state
59%
no change
Social Science Grade 8
school
99%
district
64%
state
47%
change 2%
Algebra II
school
100%
district
84%
state
69%
change 3%
Biology
school
98%
district
63%
state
55%
change 1%
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
66%
state
54%
change 9%
Geometry
school
85%
district
54%
state
45%
change 2%
World History
school
96%
district
85%
state
45%
no change
English-Language Arts
school
100%
district
86%
state
81%
no change
Math
school
100%
district
89%
state
81%
change 12%
Algebra II
school
96%
district
70%
state
40%
change 1%
Chemistry
school
93%
district
57%
state
46%
no change
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
56%
state
45%
change 1%
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
98%
district
55%
state
46%
change 1%
Summative High School Mathematics
school
96%
district
94%
state
76%
change 79%
Algebra II
school
50%
district
34%
state
14%
change 4%
Chemistry
school
100%
district
42%
state
29%
no change
English Language Arts
school
98%
district
56%
state
43%
change 5%
Physics
school
88%
district
63%
state
53%
change 3%
Summative High School Mathematics
school
95%
district
77%
state
50%
change 1%
U.S. History
school
99%
district
58%
state
45%
change 1%
Algebra I
school
100%
district
47%
state
31%
change 13%
Algebra II
school
94%
district
60%
state
31%
change 3%
Biology
school
98%
district
56%
state
46%
change 1%
Chemistry
school
94%
district
51%
state
37%
change 5%
Geometry
school
86%
district
45%
state
27%
change 5%
Physics
school
88%
district
63%
state
49%
change 2%
Summative High School Mathematics
school
96%
district
81%
state
54%
change 3%
World History
school
95%
district
53%
state
42%
no change
Algebra I
school
100%
district
85%
state
83%
change 1%
English Language Arts
school
98%
district
67%
state
57%
change 2%
Math
school
98%
district
59%
state
50%
no change
Algebra I
school
100%
district
74%
state
47%
change 1%
English Language Arts
school
99%
district
67%
state
57%
General Mathematics
school
100%
district
47%
state
32%
no change
Geometry
school
100%
district
95%
state
88%
no change
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
100%
district
75%
state
63%
change 1%
Social Science Grade 8
school
100%
district
65%
state
50%
no change
Algebra II
school
100%
district
96%
state
69%
change 1%
Biology
school
99%
district
68%
state
57%
no change
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
69%
state
55%
change 15%
Geometry
school
98%
district
70%
state
49%
change 2%
World History
school
94%
district
87%
state
48%
no change
English-Language Arts
school
100%
district
88%
state
82%
no change
Math
school
100%
district
87%
state
83%
change 1%
Algebra II
school
97%
district
68%
state
43%
change 1%
Chemistry
school
92%
district
53%
state
46%
no change
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
58%
state
48%
change 2%
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
100%
district
63%
state
50%
change 4%
Summative High School Mathematics
school
100%
district
87%
state
77%
change 2%
Chemistry
school
98%
district
36%
state
29%
change 2%
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
55%
state
45%
change 5%
Physics
school
92%
district
60%
state
56%
no change
Summative High School Mathematics
school
95%
district
77%
state
50%
change 1%
U.S. History
school
100%
district
62%
state
48%
no change
Algebra I
school
100%
district
56%
state
32%
change 3%
Algebra II
school
97%
district
66%
state
33%
change 1%
Biology
school
99%
district
60%
state
49%
change 1%
Chemistry
school
93%
district
48%
state
38%
General Mathematics
school
100%
district
44%
state
28%
change 15%
Geometry
school
99%
district
55%
state
31%
change 5%
Physics
school
92%
district
60%
state
52%
no change
Summative High School Mathematics
school
96%
district
79%
state
55%
no change
World History
school
95%
district
54%
state
44%
no change
Algebra I
school
100%
district
88%
state
86%
no change
English Language Arts
school
98%
district
73%
state
62%
no change
Math
school
98%
district
62%
state
52%
no change
Algebra I
school
100%
district
65%
state
49%
no change
English Language Arts
school
99%
district
70%
state
59%
no change
General Mathematics
school
100%
district
38%
state
32%
no change
Geometry
school
100%
district
88%
state
87%
no change
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
100%
district
81%
state
66%
no change
Social Science Grade 8
school
100%
district
66%
state
52%
no change
Algebra II
school
100%
district
93%
state
69%
no change
Biology
school
99%
district
67%
state
60%
no change
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
71%
state
57%
no change
Geometry
school
98%
district
68%
state
48%
no change
World History
school
94%
district
83%
state
50%
no change
English-Language Arts
school
100%
district
89%
state
83%
no change
Math
school
100%
district
89%
state
84%
no change
Algebra II
school
97%
district
79%
state
42%
no change
Chemistry
school
92%
district
66%
state
51%
no change
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
65%
state
50%
no change
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
100%
district
65%
state
53%
no change
Summative High School Mathematics
school
100%
district
93%
state
75%
no change
Chemistry
school
98%
district
45%
state
34%
no change
English Language Arts
school
100%
district
60%
state
48%
no change
Physics
school
92%
district
72%
state
56%
no change
Summative High School Mathematics
school
95%
district
71%
state
49%
no change
U.S. History
school
100%
district
61%
state
48%
no change
Algebra I
school
100%
district
49%
state
34%
no change
Algebra II
school
97%
district
73%
state
34%
no change
Biology
school
99%
district
63%
state
52%
no change
Chemistry
school
93%
district
59%
state
43%
no change
General Mathematics
school
100%
district
36%
state
28%
no change
Geometry
school
99%
district
58%
state
32%
no change
Physics
school
92%
district
72%
state
53%
no change
Summative High School Mathematics
school
96%
district
77%
state
53%
no change
World History
school
95%
district
57%
state
46%
10
TestRating
10 out of 10
The Education.com TestRating is a number (1-10) calculated by Education.com that provides an overview of a school’s test performance for a given year, by comparing the school’s state standardized test results to those of other schools in the same state. For California, the TestRating is calculated using a school's 2012 CST Results for all subjects tested.
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