Pleasanton Schools Exceed API Expectations

Pleasanton schools exceeded state expectations with their Academic Performance Index (API) scores, which the state released Wednesday.

The target for schools to meet is an API score of 800. Schools in the scored an average of 906, which is exactly the same score as last year.

The API is gauge used by the state to determine how districts and individual schools are performing in English-language arts and mathematics. The score is determined by results from the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) test and the California High School Exit Exam.

Alisal Elementary School  went from 893 last year to 900 — an increase of seven points.

Fairlands Elementary went from 944 last year to 949 — an increase of five points.

Donlon Elementary went from 903 last year to 914 — a decrease of 11 points.

Henry P. Mohr Elementary went from 961 last year to 957 — a decrease of four points.

Lydiksen Elementary went from 898 last year to 891 — a decrease of seven points.

Phoebe Apperson Hearst Elementary went from 951 last year to 945 — a decrease of six points.

Valley View Elementary went from 902 last year to 899 — a decrease of three points.

Vintage Hills Elementary went from 934 last year to 927 — a decrease of seven points.

Walnut Grove Elementary went from 925 last year to 930 — an increase of five points.

Harvest Park Middle went from 933 last year to 923 — a decrease of 10 points.

Pleasanton Middle went from 932 last year to 922 — a decrease of 10 points.

Thomas S. Hart Middle went from 899 last year to 907 — an increase of eight points.

Amador Valley High went from 883 last year to 894 — an increase of 11 points.

Foothill High went from 888 last year to 884 — a decrease of 4 points.

Village High went from 527 last year to 624 — an increase of 14 points.

In the state, 49 percent of California schools exceeded or met their API target. That is a record.

API scores showed continued improvement across the board, with statewide growth of 11 points, propelled by a 14-point gain among English learners and Hispanic students and a 10-point gain among African American students. Asian and white students posted gains of 8 and 7 points.

Fifty-five percent of elementary schools, 43 percent of middle schools and 28 percent of high schools met or surpassed the state API target of 800.

“I applaud the hard work our students, teachers, parents, school employees and administrators are doing to improve — even in the face of severe cuts to school funding,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. “At school after school, and among every significant ethnic group, California’s students are performing better than ever. The failure here is in our politics, not our public schools.”