By Khalida Sarwari
Rosemary Elementary School’s academic performance index score is up 40 points from last year, according to recently published figures, placing it in the 59th percentile of top performing schools in the state.
A school’s API score ranges from 200 to 1,000 and is based on students’ performance on statewide tests, with 800 set as the target for all schools to meet.
Rosemary achieved a score of 812, exceeding the state target and joining the 59 percent of schools in the state that met or exceeded that target.
Rosemary principal Brian Schmaedick said the score reflects a significant step for the school.
“The gains in academic achievement are evidence that the systems in place at Rosemary School assure that all students are getting the support they need,” Schmaedick said.
Rosemary, one of 12 schools in the Campbell Union School District, has seen a 175-point gain in its API ranking over the past five years.
Superintendent Eric Andrew attributed the school’s success to factors such as a series of intervention classes in math and language arts that were implemented by teachers and enabled them to target instruction to each student’s needs, as well as efforts by parents and community groups and the quality of education at the preschool level.
“And, of course, we must acknowledge the students themselves for working so hard at their studies,” he said.
Seeing the second biggest gain in the district was Forest Hill, which achieved a 17-point boost, rising from 931 last year to 948 this year. Marshall Lane received a score of 958, the highest in the district. Other schools in the 800-or-above range include Capri, Castlemont, Rolling Hills, Sherman Oaks and Village.
Campbell Middle School and Monroe both saw an increase in their API; Campbell saw a 15-point gain, achieving a score of 752 and Monroe increased its score by 11, for a score of 790.
The Campbell Union High School District had just one school exceed the 800 target–Leigh. However, the school’s score dropped from 822 in 2011 to 819 this year. The school with the biggest point gain was Boynton, which went from a score of 537 to 655.
