Most Los Altos Schools Lost Ground on Test Performance in 2013

Written by Alex Gronke and Bea Karnes

Eight of the nine elementary and middle schools in Los Altos School District lost ground on the 2013 Academic Performance Index (API) tests, according to results issued Thursday by state school chief Tom Torlakson.

Only Oak Avenue Elementary managed a tiny upward tick in scores.

Other districts that serve Los Altos saw mixed results.

Scores at Bullis Charter School dipped.

Here are the API results grouped by district:

• Almond Elementary: declined from 954 in 2012 to 953 in 2013
• Covington Elementary: declined from 981 in 2012 to 973 2013
• Gardner Bullis Elementary Elementary: declined from 958 in 2012 to 946 in 2013
• Loyola Elementary: declined from 965 in 2012 to 952 in 2013
• Oak Avenue Elementary: increased from 983 in 2012 to 984 in 2013
• Santa Rita Elementary: declined from 956 in 2012 to 940 2013
• Springer Elementary: declined from 960 in 2012 to 953 in 2013
• Egan Junior High: declined from 981 in 2012 to 976 in 2013
• Blach Junior High: declined from 971 in 2012 to 957 in 2013

• Montclaire Elementary: increased from 962 in 2012 to 968 in 2013
• Cupertino Middle School: declined from 936 in 2012 to 934 in 2013 

• Homestead High: declined from 874 in 2012 to 873 in 2013

• Los Altos High: increased from 889 in 2012 to 895 in 2013 

• Bullis Charter School: declined from 994 in 2012 to 989 in 2013

The API is a score ranging from 200 to 1,000 that measures how well students do on a variety of tests, including the California Standards Test and the state’s high school exit exam. The state has set 800 as the API target for all schools to meet. Here’s a detailed summary of the API from the California Department of Education.

Statewide, the number of California schools meeting the state target for student performance on standardized tests dropped by 2 percent.

In 2013, 51 percent of the state’s schools earned an Academic Performance Index score of 800 or above, compared to 53 percent the previous year.

Based on 2013 test scores, 56 percent of elementary schools, 50 percent of middle schools, and 31 percent of high schools are now at or above the 800 mark.

In the last decade, the number of schools meeting the target of an 800 API has increased by 30 percent.

The state’s overall API dropped two points to 789 from 791, but Torlakson was quick to note that the statewide API for poor students and students learning English increased five points and one point, respectively.