Terra Linda Assistant Principal to Shave His Head for API Score

Assistant Principal Justin Mori may not be as happy as everyone else that his high school’s Annual Performance Index (API) score went over the 800 mark for 2011. Now he has to shave his head.

“When I was first approached about the idea two years ago I agreed thinking nothing would come of it,” he said, noting that Terra Linda’s API score was in the 760s in 2009.

Now, Terra Linda made the jump to 812, the top score in the San Rafael City High School District.

The San Rafael City High School District’s API scores grew an average of 65 points, according to the California Department of Education’s 2011 Annual Performance Report. showed the largest growth, going from 732 in 2010 to 761. Both schools were above the state average of 742.
 
“It is very important to pause and celebrate these important gains in student achievement and to recognize the focused commitment and hard work of teachers, administrators and support staff,” SRCSD Superintendent Michael Watenpaugh said.

, a continuation school for students who are behind in class credits, saw a decrease of 75 points in their API from the previous year.

“We’re such a small school that we’re judged differently than Terra Linda or San Rafael High,” Madrone Principal Jane Songer said, noting that 17 students were included in the 2011 API. For Terra Linda, 796 students were included, and 613 students for San Rafael.

Instead, the state evaluates Madrone on its graduation rate, which has been high in the past two years, and its high school exit exam scores, Songer said.

The API results were remarkable considering  that “in the high school district we have lost $1.8 million during [in the past three years],” SRCS Board President Linda Jackson said.

As for Mori, he’s waiting to celebrate Terra Linda’s API score at a pep rally at the end of September, where he will shave his head in front of all the students.

“It’s gonna be great, cause he’s had the same haircut for years,” Terra Linda student Will Henderson said at Monday night’s board meeting. “Can’t wait.”