Posting the API scores for San Carlos schools each year always comes with a great deal of apprehension. While I am always happy with the fact that San Carlos schools score so well, I want to urge everyone to understand that the API score of a particular school is not the only guideline that should be used when evaluating a potential school. In fact, the API score is one of many factors that should be examined when considering the overall performance of a school. In my business, buyers and sellers seem to live and die with APIs, which is a mistake. As is the case with most major decisions, doing research beyond the headlines can prove quite helpful in fully understanding the situation.
For example, when examining API scores it is helpful to understand the unique factors each school brings to the table when the tests are taken. Expanding upon this point, one San Carlos school which saw a drop in their API score this year is Brittan Acres. BA scored an 870, down 37 points from 907 in 2009. However, the drop does not seem nearly as dramatic when the following message from Principal John Triska is taken into account:
“As many of you know, we have been expecting a lowered API for the 2009-10 STAR tests. This is because our population changed significantly last year when our school district’s 2nd – 4th grade Special Day Classes were moved to BA to better meet the needs of students with learning disabilities. As a result, we have a much larger number of students whose test scores tend to be significantly lower (but not always) than the general population.
The newspapers will soon run all the area schools’ API numbers. When you see BA’s score, please be prepared for a large dip. Again, this was anticipated ever since the district made the decision to place Special Day Classes at BA.
I think you know how proud I am of our school, and the outstanding work that is done here to educate all our students. In no way should you perceive this drop in our scores to be a signal that BA has somehow “lost” its excellence. I assure you we are still the same, very functional school you woke up to this morning, before reading this news.”
Another notable score change (in the opposite direction) was Heather School which scored an 861 in 2009 and a 921 in the newly released scores.
Below are all of the scores for San Carlos schools and schools utilized by San Carlos residents:
| School | 2009 Score | 2010 Score | Difference |
| Brittan Acres | 907 | 870 | -37 |
| White Oaks | 913 | 932 | 19 |
| Heather School | 861 | 921 | 60 |
| Arundel School | 917 | 922 | 5 |
| Charter Learning | 898 | 907 | 9 |
| Central Middle | 872 | 874 | 2 |
| Tierra Linda | 917 | 919 | 2 |
| Clifford School | 802 | 813 | 11 |
| Sequoia HS | 740 | 775 | 35 |
| Carlmont HS | 827 | 835 | 8 |
7 Comments
As a property owner and parent of an elementary-aged child I am thrilled with the performance of all SC schools. I hope the community recognizes how heavily the schools have relied and will continue to rely upon SCEF and each school’s PTA to maintain the academic resources that are part of the foundation that makes these scores possible (although as pointed out API scores do not an education make).
Brittan Acres is a FANTASTIC school! As a parent of a child who this is her second school, I can assure that BA is a WONDERFUL school and my daughter has learned so much more with wonderful teachers and a well-rounded curriculum.
I wonder if Principal Triska can just let us know how the non-Special Day Class students did on their API scores, any way to separate into two separate scores? That might help alleviate any concern some BA Parents may have about the drop in the API Score. I think if we can just see that the drop in score is really only due to the inclusion of special day class that would help to calm down any nervous parents.
It’s probably not fair that they make special-day class kids take the same tests anyways. They have special needs (which probably makes these tests much more difficult) which is why they’re in a special class to deal with those needs. I think it’s wonderful that BA has special-ed class on-campus. It can help tech empathy and understanding to all kids there. We shoudl not panic unnecessary if the school’s API score drops. Remember, it’s just a single number that doesn’t reflect the whole picture. Talk with your child’s teacher, look in their classroom, see what great education your child is getting at BA! 🙂
It would be appropriate to add that the special day classes for middle schools are hosted at Central, so this impacts Central’s scores similarly when comparing their scores to TL (from what I understand). Congrats to all SC schools for their outstanding performance!
Well done, San Carlos kids!
To Happy BA parent above — I just wanted to add that up until 2009-2010 school year, Heather hosted the special day classes. The principal, Pam Jasso, declined to separate out the scores of those students, a decision that parents supported. But for years now, Heather has suffered a pervasive stigma for having the “lowest test scores.” I sincerely hope this stigma won’t now be visited upon Brittan Acres, as it is so unfair!
To clarify, it’s my understanding that there are far more special day students in the SC school system this year than ever before. That’s because up until this past year, the SCSD was not able to meet their needs and instead opted to pay for them to go to school elsewhere, outside of the school district. This past year those students were brought back “home,” and Brittan Acres was selected to host ALL of the special day students — both those who were previously at Heather, as well as those who were previously out schools outside the District.
Also to clarify, all Tinsley students (from EPA & Menlo etc.) are still hosted at Heather. So now there are two schools instead of just one to host groups who tend to score lower. Welcome to the fold BA.
As a parent of a former BA student — now a first-year CMS student — I would like to say that I am delighted with San Carlos schools. (Even though I do miss Brittan Acres!!)If having Special Day classes at our schools brings our scores down a little I say that’s just fine. Having all these wonderful kids learning and playing side by side is worth so much more. Those are life lessons that can’t be measured.