Wilson School takes big jump in API score

Wilson Elementary School stepped to the head of the class when it came to improvement in Academic Performance Index testing.

Data for spring 2008 testing was released by the state last week. It shows that the 220-student school jumped from a 790 API score in 2007 to 848 last spring.

The median score for elementary schools statewide is 796. It is 739 for middle schools and 702 for high schools.

The state API goal is 800.

Based on their scores, schools are given a ranking of one to 10, with 10 being the highest. Schools are also ranked from one to 10 in comparison with other similar schools based on criteria such as class size, socioeconomic status, percentage of English learners, number of credentialed teachers and other factors.

Wilson received a ranking of eight, up from six a year ago. It had an eight in ranking against similar schools.

Eric Hoppes, school principal and superintendent of the one-school Wilmar Union School District, said the road to improvement began when three Wilson teachers — Richard Debartolo, Ellen Lesher and Janice Gerrigan — spearheaded an effort to take a comprehensive look at the testing and what Wilson needed to do to improve.

Hoppes also credited “writing guru” Robin Johnson with developing a writing program that helped dramatically improve the students’ writing skills.

Hoppes said the score improvement showed that “Wilson is out here and we’re a pretty good school. We’re open for business and we’re doing a heck of a good job.”

Four other small local elementary schools also scored extremely well. Liberty School had an API score of 910, a 10 rank and a 10 rank in comparison to similar schools.

Both schools in the Waugh School District did well. Meadow School had an 898 API score, a 10 rank and a nine rank among similar schools. Corona Creek had an 886 API score, a nine rank and a nine rank compared to similar schools.

Two Rock School had an 872 API score, a nine rank and a 10 similar-school rank.

“We owe it to the staff and the parents,” said Two Rock Principal Michael Simpson. “Everybody helps. We look at every student, see where they need work and concentrate on their individual needs.”

He credited a program to pass along information about students from teacher-to-teacher as they progress through the school for helping individual students.

“It isn’t just the teachers,” he said. “Everyone has a stake in the kids.”

Sonoma Mountain scored best among the schools in the Old Adobe Union School District, with an 854 API score and a rank of nine, up from eight the year before, but only a rank of three compared to similar schools.

Grant Elementary shined brightest among Petaluma City Schools with a 907 API score, a 10 rank and an eight rank among similar schools.

McDowell and McKinley both had very low scores. McDowell had a 685 API score, a one rank and a three rank among similar schools. McKinley had a 707 API score, a two rank and a four rank among similar schools.

Kenilworth and Petaluma junior highs reported nearly identical results. Kenilworth had an 820 API score to 810 to Petaluma Junior High. Both had a rank of eight and both ranked six compared to similar schools.

Petaluma High had a 779 API score. Casa Grande scored 749. Petaluma had a rank of eight. Casa Grande ranked seven, down from eight a year ago. Petaluma had a rank of seven among similar schools, Casa Grande had a rank of four.

(Contact John Jackson at acsports@arguscourier.com)