The Campbell Reporter

Education

Del Mar scores big on the API, and school plans to celebrate

By Alicia Upano

Del Mar High School has finally made the grade.

When the California Department of Education released the annual Academic Performance Index scores in late August, Del Mar High School made the largest leap of the five traditional high schools in the Campbell Union High School District, jumping 39 points from 661 to 700 for the 2005-06 year. The goal for every California school is to reach a target score of 800.

This achievement puts Del Mar back on track.

Unlike other schools in the district, Del Mar has struggled with its API targets due to a decline in population after the district shifted its boundaries and reopened Branham High School in 1999. This resulted in decreased enrollment and funding, according to Del Mar High School's accountability report.

Del Mar's demographics also differentiate it from other CUSHD schools. Its population is more transient and diverse, according to its principal, Jim Russell.

Along with a sizable number of English learners and students with disabilities, the school tests more students who are either on the free- or reduced-lunch program or whose parents have no college education.

In 2003, the school's API score was 615, with Latino students scoring barely more than 500. In 2004, not enough students in school took the test to report a score.

Yet in 2003 and 2004, Russell, who was the former principal at Leigh High School, began making changes. He hired 14 new teachers and started a Spanish Speaking Parent Teacher Association with Del Mar parent Blanca Diaz, who single-handedly translated the school's student-parent handbook into Spanish.

The teachers started targeting weaknesses they identified in the classroom, Russell said. Students struggling with reading or math took an additional workshop class to bolster their skills.

"We worked really hard to get the kids on board to take the test seriously, to try to develop some pride in the school," Russell said. Last school year, Russell visited every classroom to explain the API, including Del Mar's previous low scores, socioeconomic differences at the school and why English learners struggle with the test. Russell and the staff encouraged the students to reach 700.

Then the scores came out, and Del Mar shone.

"Unbelievably, we hit it," Russell said.

In the last three years, Del Mar's API scores have climbed 85 points. During that same period, subgroup test scores have increased significantly, with white students climbing 96 points and Latino students 108 points.

On Oct. 9, the school will celebrate its success.

"Sure, they're excited about the barbecue, but they were proud that they could actually get to 700," Russell said.

The principal credits the school's teachers, especially the English language development. Russell said he believes the Spanish Speaking PTA has helped families become more involved in the school. He also thinks Del Mar's students helped propel the English learners' districtwide scores 111 points in a single year.

For the 2005-06 school year, Branham High School made the second-largest increase with 37 points from 743 to 780, followed by Leigh's 16-point growth from 773 to 789. Westmont gained four points from 725 to 729, and Prospect dipped seven points from 715 to 708. Boynton, the district's alternative high school, grew by 113 points from 533 to 646.