Healdsburg’s test scores measure up

Test scores have increased significantly in the Healdsburg
Unified School District over the past year, a sign that school
officials say reflects the commitment by staff.
The Academic Performance Index (API) released this month shows
that compared to other schools with similar demographics in
California, 2010 STAR scores and High School Exit Exam scores at
HUSD are showing sizeable growth.
“This is contributed to the focus on quality of teaching and the
superb job engaging students,” said Superintendent Jeff
Harding.
All public schools in California are ranked on an API scale of
one through 10 along with a comparable schools measure to compare
their improvement from year to year. Each school also receives an
API score with a state high of 800.
Healdsburg Elementary School moved up almost forty points from
an API of 725 in 2009 to 764 for 2010, while both Healdsburg Junior
High School and Healdsburg High School are nearing the state goal
of 800 with only 25 more points for HJH and 24 points for HHS.
“We have made tremendous progress over the last few years,” said
Harding.
In 2009 Healdsburg Elementary School Fitch Mountain Campus
ranked a two statewide raising their score in 2010 to four, while
in 2009 their Similar Schools Ranking was at three and they
increased to seven in 2010.
The report also shows that Healdsburg Junior High School double
their ranking this past year from four to eight along with
receiving the 2011 California Distinguished School Award. Their
overall score moved from 737 to 775 including moving up in scores
in all of their sub-groups.
Sub-groups that the state looks at are demographics of the
student population. Students in the Hispanic sub-group improved
from a 655 to 718 API in just one year and other sub-groups
including socioeconomically disadvantaged and English language
learners at the junior high also increased their API by more than
50 points.
“Our English Language Learners are also doing considerably
better,” said Harding. “It is a real testament to the staff that
they have been able to help our students perform so well.”
District officials credit the success of the schools to new math
and English language arts curriculum along with intervention
programs paired with the focus of the staff. Officials say they
seek to continue to move in the upward trend of increasing scores
yearly and provide the most outstanding education to students.
“It is also important to recognize the contributions by HEF and
the infusion of technology through private donations that makes the
learning come alive for students and gets them excited about what
they a learning,” said Harding. “We have come a long way but we
still have greater improvements to make.”
The Geyserville Unified School District saw a small overall drop
in score from 2009 to 2010, moving from an API of 778 to 776.
While Geyserville Middle School and Geyserville Educational Park
High School had small increases of two and three, the Geyserville
Elementary School drop twelve points to 822, keeping them above the
state recommendation.