Simi district three points shy of state goal
By Miguel Morales miguel@theacorn.com

Simi Valley Unified School District scored 797 on the 2006-07 Academic Performance Index, three points shy of the state goal, according to figures released Tuesday by the California Department of Education.

Schools are rated on a scale of 200 to 1,000 with a state target of 800. The results are based on standardized tests the students took in spring 2006.

Schools also were also given a ranking of 1 to 10- 10 being the highest- to measure their performance against the state as a whole and against schools with similar demographics.

Big Springs and Madera elementary schools were among only nine Ventura County schools that received both a statewide rank and similar schools rank of 10- the top 10 percent of scores attained statewide.

For the fourth year in a row Vista Elementary received the district's highest API base score, 920.

"Vista is a magnet school, so when (students) come here they're committed to having a real focus on education," Principal Barbara Patten said. "The parents are involved in their own students' education on a daily basis. They know that their child is learning everyday."

Sycamore Elementary improved its API by 32 points over 2005, scoring an 876.

"If our kids are doing a better job, then that means we are doing a better job," Principal Sherrie DuFresne said. "We can teach the material, but it really depends on the students and their willingness and their motivation to succeed."

Fifteen of the 21 elementary schools in Simi posted scores of 800 or higher. Hollow Hills (904), Madera (901), Vista (920) and Wood Ranch (904) earned higher than 900.

The other six elementary schools- with the exception of Berylwood (674 down from 717) and Santa Susana (782 down from 788)- all showed some improvement.

Park View Elementary, which earned a 725, is trying to raise its statewide and similar schools rankings, according to Principal Ron Todo. This year Park View only recorded a 4 and a 3 in those respective categories.

"Our API score fit with what we have been looking at," Todo said. "What we would like to see is a rising in our rankings."

Nancy Mason is the principal at the largest elementary school, Berylwood, which also claims the largest English-language learner program.

"We have a unique challenge that not every school has," Mason said. "It doesn't look too good when we come out in the paper and we're the ones with the low score, but we know what we're doing."

All Simi middle and high schools saw a drop in scores after science and social science tests were factored in for the first time.

Hillside scored a 756, Sinaloa, 796, Valley View with 816, while Royal scored a 766, Santa Susana an 806 and Simi 769. For more API information, visit www.cde.ca.gov.