Imperial Beach Schools Near State Average in API Scores

Imperial Beach schools ranked around state averages in API scores, according to data released by the California Department of Education last month.

To compare, the base score for San Diego County's largest district, San Diego Unified, was 797. The target API score set by the Department of Education is 800.

The rankings are based on the school's base API, which is calculated for elementary, middle and high schools based on results of the Standardized Testing and Reporting Program and California High School Exit Exam.

The base API is based on the previous year's performance on the standardized tests.

The API score, which shows how each school is performing academically in comparison with other schools, ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1,000.

The statewide base API was 778, according to the state. The base for elementary schools was 808, while it was 778 for middle schools and 741 for high schools.

The base API breakdown for schools in or near Imperial Beach: 

• Mar Vista High School, 756
• Mar Vista Middle School, 767
• Southwest High School, 722
• Bayside Elementary, 766
• Central Elementary, 743
• Imperial Beach Elementary, 819
• Oneonta Elementary, 785

Imperial Beach Elementary School had the highest score among schools in IB or west of Interstate 5, but was one of only two schools in the South Bay Union School District with scores at or above the statewide average for elementary schools.

The state also ranks schools academically on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing the top 10 percent, to determine a school's standing compared with other schools statewide.

Because of the nature of the system, 10 percent of schools statewide will always be in each 10-percent category. Where a school lands, according to score, changes over the years as schools improve their scores.

Three San Diego Unified high schools, one middle school and 15 elementary schools ranked among the top 10 percent of schools statewide.

In the SDUSD, 15 elementary schools received the highest rank of 10, placing them in the highest 10 percent of elementary schools statewide. 

Three high schools achieved the top ranking – the Preuss School at UC San Diego, San Diego International Studies at San Diego High School, and Scripps Ranch High School.

Statewide, the base API was 845 for white students, 859 for Filipinos and 898 for Asian students. The API was 696 for black students, 729 for Hispanics, 706 for English-learners and 726 for financially disadvantaged students.

For a complete look at API scores visit the California Department of Education website.

Coronado Patch editor Jennifer Vigil and City News Service contributed to this report.