The October 11th release of the California’s Academic Performance Index (API) report validates the strong performance of the ten elementary schools within the Newhall School District. Newhall’s district-wide API increased from 903 last year to 906 this year. Last year, when the district’s API rose above 900, it was the first district in the Santa Clarita Valley to do so. The district’s API has steadily increased for the last nine years and it once again is the highest in the Santa Clarita Valley, as it has been for the last eight years. Four schools in the district exceeded 900, including Stevenson Ranch, which earned an API of 981, the highest individual school result in the SCV.

“Continuing to achieve at this level year after year is an incredible feat, especially when one considers the education funding crisis we have been dealing with and the instructional challenges we face with a student population that includes about 30% English Language Learners,” said Christy Smith, president of the district’s Governing Board. “The district’s achievement is a testament to the dedication and excellent work of our students, teachers, administrators, and families. We are, of course, very proud of our top scoring schools’ achievements, but this is not just about our top scoring schools pulling others along. This is about all schools in the district working hard on the achievement levels of all students.”

The state’s API goal for all schools, which is based on STAR testing, is 800. The fact that every NSD school far exceeded the state goal came as no surprise to Newhall administrators who have been analyzing STAR scores since they were released in September.

Nancy Copley, assistant superintendent of instruction for Newhall, said there are many factors that contribute to the district’s success. “We have been training teachers in a coherent writing program for nine years. Writing is such a powerful skill that it affects every other aspect of achievement and we are seeing the results. We have also been concentrating on the academic needs of English Language Learners and training teachers in effective instructional methods for these students. Our teachers have effective instructional techniques and work very hard, at every site, to take all children to their highest potential. The API is a validation of their efforts.”

“It is a huge challenge to insure that certain groups, especially those with limited English skills or those living below the poverty line, reach proficiency in the required numbers,” said Marc Winger, district superintendent. “The fact that we continue to reach overall state goals, even with large numbers of students who, by definition, should not be proficient because of their language limitations, is a tribute to our hard working teachers and effective principals. We are very proud of the job our staff does at all our schools.”

Site / API

Stevenson Ranch

981

Oak Hills

942

Pico Canyon

937

Valencia Valley

905

McGrath

896

Meadows

885

Wiley Canyon

881

Old Orchard

872

Peachland

855

Newhall

832

The current API in the Newhall district is an admirable accomplishment in a district where about 30% of the students have limited English skills. At some sites (McGrath, Newhall, Wiley Canyon, Old Orchard, and Peachland Schools) the limited English speaking students make up a third to more than half of the student population. These schools also have some of the highest levels of students living in poverty in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The school wide index at sites impacted by limited English speaking students often masks even stronger achievement among other groups. If one peels apart the API, one finds that NSD’s Anglo students, generally unencumbered by language barriers, are doing extraordinarily well. The API at the district’s namesake school, Newhall Elementary, tells this story. While the schoolwide index of 832 is above the statewide goal and represents a 24 point gain over last year, Anglo students at the site actually achieved an API of 945, placing them solidly among Anglo students at the district’s other schools. (Table below).

Anglo Students School API Ranked High to Low

N/A = not a significant subgroup

Site / API

Stevenson Ranch

982

Pico Canyon

951

Newhall

945

Peachland

941

McGrath

935

Wiley Canyon

933

Oak Hills

929

Valencia Valley

918

Old Orchard

918

Meadows

917

“Our Anglo student group does extraordinarily well at every site, including Newhall, Peachland, Old Orchard, McGrath, and Wiley Canyon Schools, where they are in the minority,” said Winger. “The 945 Anglo student API at Newhall School, where Hispanics make up over 80% of the population, proves the point. While our Hispanic student group, made up of high numbers of limited English speakers, presents us with our biggest instructional challenge, we clearly meet the needs of all students in all of our schools.”

Hispanic Students School API Ranked High to Low

Note: This population includes a significant number of English Language Learners who, by definition, are not yet proficient in English

Site / API / % of total tested

Stevenson Ranch

961

14%

Oak Hills

890

13%

Pico Canyon

888

23%

McGrath

887

82%

Wiley Canyon

849

63%

Valencia

844

20%

Old Orchard

838

52%

Newhall

806

81%

Peachland

800

60 %

Meadows

800

31%