Newport-Mesa School District Continues Making Strides on API Scores

The Academic Performance Index score for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, which summarizes students' performance on a series of tests, increased by nine points this year.

According to figures released today by the California Department of Education, the district's score went from 821 last year to 830. The results maintain the district's trend of rising test scores over the last eight years, according to the N-MUSD.

“Our district test results show steady growth,” Jeffrey Hubbard, the district's superintendent, said. "Our teachers and administrators have worked diligently in identifying academic areas for improvements as well as targeting individual skills for specific students.”

For the third consecutive year, N-MUSD has achieved a high-performing designation from the state for scoring over 800 on the overall API, and 22 out of 30 schools scored at least 800 and are considered “high achieving” by the state, said Laura Boss, district spokeswoman.

Nine N-MUSD schools achieved a score of more than 900, while Corona del Mar Middle School and Early College High School scored above 900 for the first time. Scores for Back Bay High School, Early College High School, Sonora Elementary and Costa Mesa High School were up more than 25 percent. Ensign Intermediate School improved in every area of the California State Standards tests taken and in overall API by 28 points. "No other school in the district can claim this feat," Boss said.

Although the district made notable strides, it did not meet AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) in English language arts (ELA) and math for more than one significant subgroup and is now classified as a Year 1 Program Improvement District.

"Although discouraging, this was expected as the bar rises higher and higher for all schools in the country. In the No Child Left Behind current design to meet AYP, all students (and significant subgroups) must be 100 percent proficient in ELA and math by the year 2014,” George Knights, director of the district's assessment office, said.

Countywide, 20 of the 28 school districts are now considered Program Improvement Districts.