The Academic Performance Index score for Los Angeles Unified schools -- summarizing students' performance on a series of tests -- rose by 16 points in 2011-12, outpacing gains made by students across the state, although the district still lags behind the California average.
The district's score went from 729 last year to 745. The statewide API score increased by 10 points, from 778 last year to 788, according to figures released today by the California Department of Education.
The scores range from 200 to 1,000, with a performance target of 800.
The majority of schools in the East Valley communities of North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Toluca Lake and Valley Village saw scores rise. Highlights include Oxnard Street Elementary (+49), Rio Vista Elementary (+39) and Lankershim Elementary (+36). Carpenter Community Charter and Colfax Charter, which both scored over 900 in 2011, both saw further gains.
Check below to see how the schools in the East Valley fared:
PUBLIC SCHOOL
2012 Score
2011 Score
Point Change
Carpenter Community Charter
941
930
+11
Colfax Charter Elementary
928
910
+18
Dixie Canyon Avenue Elementary
892
889
+3
Fair Avenue Elementary
812
834
-22
Lankershim Elementary
822
786
+36
North Hollywood Senior High
770
760
+10
Rio Vista Elementary
905
866
+39
Riverside Drive Elementary
866
851
+15
Saticoy Elementary
805
818
-14
Toluca Lake Elementary
840
846
-6
Valley View Elementary
833
846
-13
Walter Reed Middle School 842 828 +14 Millikan Middle School 754 739 +5 Roy Romer Middle School 745 713 +32 Van Nuys High 761 747 +14 Maurice Sendak Elementary 814 797 +17 Oxnard Street Elementary 822 773 +49 Victory Boulevard Elementary 798 791 -7 Amelia Earhart Continuation 524 602 -78 Fair Avenue Elementary 812 834 -22 Lowman Special Education Center 684 702 -18 James Madison Middle School 740 719 +21 Strathern Street Elementary 810 792 +18 East Valley High - unavailable data no data no data
"Our students continue to improve, and not just by a point or two, or at a school or two, but throughout the district, and at an accelerated pace," LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy said. "The notable gain of 16 points indicates in spite of five years of brutal budget cuts, 10,000 layoffs, larger class sizes and a shortened school year, teachers continue to focus on instruction, learning and our goals."
According to the state, 53 percent of California schools met or exceeded the 800-point bar in 2011-12, up four percentage points from the previous year.
API reflects growth in student achievement from one year to the next. It is determined by results on the California Standards Tests in English, math, history/social science and science, and the California High School Exit Exam.
"We've set a high bar for schools and they have more than met the challenge, despite the enormous obstacles that years of budget cuts have put in their way," state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said. "The incredible efforts of teachers, administrators, school employees, parents and students should serve as an inspiration to us all. While there's still more work to do, California's schools have earned a vote of confidence."
Statewide, 59 percent of elementary schools, 49 percent of middle schools and 30 percent of high schools met the state API benchmark.
Elementary school scores statewide increased by 7 points to 815, while middle schools jumped 14 points to 792 and high schools increased 11 points to 752.
