Two Glendora Schools Rank in the Top 10 Percent Statewide

Of the five elementary schools in Glendora Unified School District, two schools – and – ranked in the top 10 percent statewide, according to rankings from the California Department of Education.

Based on each school’s base Academic Performance Index (API), the state ranks schools academically on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing the top 10 percent. The score is calculated for elementary, middle and high schools based on scores of the Standardized Testing and Reporting Program and California High School Exit Exam.

"We are also providing information on where our schools stand when compared to those statewide and to those that are similar demographically," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in a press statement. "This is constructive information that provides parents, schools, educators, and the general public valuable insight into how schools are performing when measured against others."

Four schools – , and l – scored a 9 on the scale. No school in the nine-school district (excluding , which was ranked on a different scale) scored lower than an 8.

Because of the nature of the system, 10 percent of schools statewide will always be in each decile. Where a school falls changes over the years as schools improve their scores.

The state also released base API scores for districts Thursday. The target API score set by the state Department of Education is 800. The API score, which shows how each school is performing academically in comparison to other schools, ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1,000.  The district’s API base score is 853, compared to 850 the year before.

Cullen and Sutherland elementary schools both scored above a 900 in API scores.

The scores come after class sizes from K-3 have increased from 20 to 25. The overall student population at Sutherland has increased by 150.  

“(A 900 API) states that everyone in that school is working collaboratively to make sure that the school succeeds,” said Dr. Mary Suzuki, director of kindergarten through eighth grade curriculum and instruction.  “When you have a 900 API that does not come by accident. It takes hours of reflection on the staff’s part.” 

At Charter Oak Unified, all five elementary schools – Badillo, Cedargrove, Glen Oak Elementary, and – scored above an 800 API. Washington Elementary scored a 9 statewide, while scoring in the top 10 percent among schools of demographic similarities. Royal Oak Middle School, Charter Oak High School and Oak Knoll Alternative scored above a 700. Charter Oak High School and Royal Oak Middle School scored a 6 statewide, with Oak Knoll scoring a 4 in the statewide results.

City News Service contributed to this report.