What the rating categories mean

In each of the categories, the highest rating possible is 5 stars, while 1 star is the lowest rating.

Here are some guidelines to help you understand each category:

Overall rating

This is an opinion about the overall quality of the school. The qualities of a great school include:

• Excellent teachers
• Strong principal/school leadership
• Challenging academic programs

Teacher quality

Teacher quality ratings assess a parent's overall experience with teachers at the school. Among other qualities, great teachers:

• Talk to parents regularly about their child's progress
• Challenge students to learn
• Give students the attention they need to thrive in the classroom

Principal leadership

This is an assessment of the principal, or other leadership, at the school. Among other qualities, strong principals or school leaders:

• Reach out to parents
• Listen attentively and answer questions asked by parents or students
• Make efforts to improve the quality of the school

Parent involvement

A supportive, active community—which includes involved parents—is an important quality of a great school. This rating reflects to what degree the school:

• Offers opportunities for parent involvement
• Treats parents like partners, not outsiders
• Encourages all parents to get involved

Close this window