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West Contra Costa Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating: 4 out of 10. GreatSchools Ratings are based on test results. 10 is best.
This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

Learn About This District's:

1108 Bissell Ave.
Richmond, CA 94801
Contra Costa County
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PH: (510) 231-1101
FAX: (510) 236-6784

District Web site >

  • Grades K-12 & ungraded
  • 31,699 students
  • 65 schools

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 CST Results

 
Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 2

English Language Arts
 43% (2008)
 43% (2007)
 37% (2006)
 32% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 48% in 2008.

Math
 53% (2008)
 52% (2007)
 48% (2006)
 45% (2005)
The state average for Math was 59% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 3

English Language Arts
 30% (2008)
 28% (2007)
 27% (2006)
 23% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 38% in 2008.

Math
 55% (2008)
 50% (2007)
 49% (2006)
 47% (2005)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 4

English Language Arts
 46% (2008)
 41% (2007)
 38% (2006)
 37% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 55% in 2008.

Math
 52% (2008)
 50% (2007)
 45% (2006)
 40% (2005)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 5

Science
 37% (2008)
 26% (2007)
 23% (2006)
The state average for Science was 46% in 2008.

English Language Arts
 38% (2008)
 34% (2007)
 33% (2006)
 33% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 48% in 2008.

Math
 45% (2008)
 42% (2007)
 39% (2006)
 34% (2005)
The state average for Math was 51% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 6

English Language Arts
 35% (2008)
 31% (2007)
 29% (2006)
 28% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 47% in 2008.

Math
 33% (2008)
 31% (2007)
 32% (2006)
 29% (2005)
The state average for Math was 44% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 7

English Language Arts
 33% (2008)
 32% (2007)
 28% (2006)
 31% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 49% in 2008.

Math
 27% (2008)
 26% (2007)
 26% (2006)
 24% (2005)
The state average for Math was 41% in 2008.

Algebra I
 60% (2008)
 67% (2007)
The state average for Algebra I was 80% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 8

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)
 10% (2008)
 10% (2007)
 10% (2006)
 12% (2005)
The state average for General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards) was 31% in 2008.

Science
 32% (2008)
 33% (2007)
 29% (2006)
The state average for Science was 52% in 2008.

English Language Arts
 29% (2008)
 29% (2007)
 26% (2006)
 28% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 45% in 2008.

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative
 20% (2008)
 22% (2007)
The state average for History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative was 36% in 2008.

Algebra I
 21% (2008)
 23% (2007)
 28% (2006)
 32% (2005)
The state average for Algebra I was 42% in 2008.

Geometry
 100% (2008)
 91% (2007)
 66% (2006)
The state average for Geometry was 84% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 9

Algebra II
 34% (2008)
 66% (2007)
 63% (2006)
 75% (2005)
The state average for Algebra II was 66% in 2008.

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)
 3% (2008)
 1% (2007)
 10% (2006)
 6% (2005)
The state average for General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards) was 18% in 2008.

Biology/Life Sciences
 35% (2008)
 30% (2007)
 29% (2006)
The state average for Biology/Life Sciences was 52% in 2008.

English Language Arts
 36% (2008)
 33% (2007)
 31% (2006)
 33% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 49% in 2008.

Earth Science
Data not available for this district (2008)
 5% (2007)
 21% (2006)
The state average for Earth Science was 31% in 2008.

World History
 3% (2008)
 1% (2007)
The state average for World History was 36% in 2008.

Integrated/Coordinated Science 1
Data not available for this district (2008)
Data not available for this district (2007)
The state average for Integrated/Coordinated Science 1 was 12% in 2008.

Algebra I
 4% (2008)
 4% (2007)
 5% (2006)
 5% (2005)
The state average for Algebra I was 18% in 2008.

Geometry
 21% (2008)
 26% (2007)
 33% (2006)
 37% (2005)
The state average for Geometry was 43% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 10

Algebra II
 17% (2008)
 15% (2007)
 20% (2006)
 27% (2005)
The state average for Algebra II was 36% in 2008.

High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11)
 66% (2008)
 60% (2007)
The state average for High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11) was 68% in 2008.

Science
 24% (2008)
 20% (2007)
 18% (2006)
The state average for Science was 40% in 2008.

Biology/Life Sciences
 15% (2008)
 13% (2007)
 10% (2006)
The state average for Biology/Life Sciences was 35% in 2008.

English Language Arts
 28% (2008)
 27% (2007)
 27% (2006)
 28% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 41% in 2008.

Chemistry
 22% (2008)
 24% (2007)
 21% (2006)
The state average for Chemistry was 41% in 2008.

Earth Science
 8% (2008)
 3% (2007)
 11% (2006)
The state average for Earth Science was 23% in 2008.

World History
 20% (2008)
 18% (2007)
The state average for World History was 33% in 2008.

Algebra I
 1% (2008)
 3% (2007)
 3% (2006)
 3% (2005)
The state average for Algebra I was 9% in 2008.

Geometry
 4% (2008)
 4% (2007)
 5% (2006)
 7% (2005)
The state average for Geometry was 12% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 11

Algebra II
 3% (2008)
 1% (2007)
 3% (2006)
 6% (2005)
The state average for Algebra II was 11% in 2008.

High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11)
 26% (2008)
 29% (2007)
The state average for High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11) was 43% in 2008.

Biology/Life Sciences
 33% (2008)
 33% (2007)
 28% (2006)
The state average for Biology/Life Sciences was 39% in 2008.

U.S. History
 26% (2008)
 25% (2007)
The state average for U.S. History was 38% in 2008.

English Language Arts
 28% (2008)
 28% (2007)
 27% (2006)
 25% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 37% in 2008.

Physics
 57% (2008)
 59% (2007)
 43% (2006)
The state average for Physics was 47% in 2008.

Chemistry
 7% (2008)
 7% (2007)
 6% (2006)
The state average for Chemistry was 25% in 2008.

Earth Science
 6% (2008)
 4% (2007)
 9% (2006)
The state average for Earth Science was 28% in 2008.

World History
 7% (2008)
 18% (2007)
The state average for World History was 9% in 2008.

Algebra I
 0% (2008)
 1% (2007)
 1% (2006)
 2% (2005)
The state average for Algebra I was 5% in 2008.

Geometry
 2% (2008)
 1% (2007)
 2% (2006)
 3% (2005)
The state average for Geometry was 6% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the tests

  • In 2007-2008 California used the California Standards Tests (CSTs) to test students in English language arts in grades 2 through 11; math in grades 2 through 7; science in grades 5, 8 and 10; and history-social science in grades 8 and 11. Middle and high school students also took subject-specific CSTs in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled.
  • The CSTs are standards-based tests, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

Testing in California: An Overview

See California's state standards

Compare all elementary, middle or high schools in the district
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 CAHSEE Results

 
Scale: % passing

Grade 10

English Language Arts
 66% (2008)
 67% (2007)
 69% (2006)
 70% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 79% in 2008.

Math
 66% (2008)
 68% (2007)
 63% (2006)
 60% (2005)
The state average for Math was 78% in 2008.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the Tests

  • In 2007-2008 California used the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to test high school students' skills in English language arts and mathematics.
  • The results for grade 10 students taking the test for the first time are displayed on GreatSchools profiles.
  • The CAHSEE is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of California.
  • Students must pass all parts of the CAHSEE in order to graduate from high school. If they do not pass it the first time, students have multiple opportunities to retake the test.
  • The goal is for all students to pass both sections of the test.

Testing in California: An Overview

Compare all high schools in this district
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 CAHSEE Results By Subgroup

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

Scale: % passing

Grade 10
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students66%
Females70%
Males63%
African American57%
Asian79%
Filipino87%
Hispanic or Latino60%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islander89%
White (not Hispanic)86%
Declined to state79%
Economically disadvantaged58%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Economic Status Unknown69%
Students with disability29%
English learner34%

MathThis District
All Students66%
Females66%
Males66%
African American51%
Asian81%
Filipino85%
Hispanic or Latino64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islander68%
White (not Hispanic)85%
Declined to state67%
Economically disadvantaged61%
Non-economically disadvantaged73%
Economic Status Unknown71%
Students with disability20%
English learner49%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the Tests

  • In 2007-2008 California used the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to test high school students' skills in English language arts and mathematics.
  • The results for grade 10 students taking the test for the first time are displayed on GreatSchools profiles.
  • The CAHSEE is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of California.
  • The different student groups are identified by the California Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.
  • Students must pass all parts of the CAHSEE in order to graduate from high school. If they do not pass it the first time, students have multiple opportunities to retake the test.
  • The goal is for all students to pass both sections of the test.

Testing in California: An Overview

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 Teachers

 
Teacher Credentials
Information about this data
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
 This DistrictState Average
Full credential88%95%
Emergency credential or waiver6%4%
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Teacher Experience
Information about this data
Source: 1CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
2CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Average years teaching11413
Average years teaching in district11110
First-year teachers25%6%
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Average Class Size
Information about this data
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Kindergarten1920
Grade 11919
Grade 21919
Grade 31920
Grade 42823
Grade 52929
Grade 63129
Grade 72929
Grade 83029
Grade 92927
Grade 103030
Grade 112828
Grade 122625
How Important is Class Size? >
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 Students

 
Student Ethnicity
Information about this data
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
EthnicityThis DistrictState Average
Hispanic or Latino45%49%
African American23%7%
White11%29%
Asian10%8%
Filipino5%3%
Multiple or No Response4%3%
Pacific Islander<1%<1%
American Indian or Alaska Native<1%<1%
How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >
Student Subgroups
Information about this data
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
English language learners32%25%
The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >
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 Spending Per Pupil

 
Spending Per Pupil
Information about this data
 This DistrictState Average
Total per pupil expenditures$8,486$10,805
Breakdown By Expenditure  
Instructional60%61%
Student and staff support13%7%
Administration11%15%
Other expenditures16%18%
Source: NCES, 2005-2006
School Finance: Issues to Consider >
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