API Scores: Montrose and La Crescenta Schools Rank High

schools are showing increased student achievement after the California Department of Education released statewide scores this week.

According to the state's public school data, GUSD earned 851 for the 2011 Growth Academic Performance Index, a nine point increase from last year's score of 842.

Mountain Avenue Elementary not only ranked the top Montrose or La Crescenta School, but also the top GUSD school with a score of 949.

“Being able to start with that sense of celebration is a boost in itself,” Mountain Avenue Principal Rebeca Witt told the Glendale News-Press. “It can just spur you to do more than what you are doing.”

and received a score of 955, up six points from last year. , earned a 942, a nine-point improvement.

Individual school scores that increased include:

• : 928, an increase of eight points
• : 949, an increase of six points
• : 921, an increase of 11 points
• : 930, an increase of seven points
• : 909, an increase of 10 points
• : 892, an increase of eight point

Individual school scores that decreased include: 

• : 889, a decrease of 18 points
• John C. Fremont Elementary: 902, a decrease of 11 points

One school score stayed the same, , with a score of 894.

The API is a number between 200 and 1000 that reflects performance level of a school, sub group and district, based on statewide testing. Its purpose is to measure the academic performance and growth of schools. The state target is 800.

The state determines API scores using a weighted formula. The formula includes the tests administered in May, and the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). The California Standards Test (CST) results are most heavily weighted.