By Aaron Schwab
Staff Writer
Mira Costa’s Academic Performance Index score of 912 was released on Aug. 29 for the 2012-13 school year, decreasing from last year’s API of 913.
Despite dropping for the first time in 11 years, Costa still remains one of the top high schools in the state, ranking ten out of ten on the state scale in comparison to other schools.
“We always perform at a high level of excellence,” Principal Dr. Ben Dale said. “Both the teachers and the students always perform well.”
Based on standards provided by the California Board of Education, the target API score for California high schools is 800. With a score of 912, Costa is well above the standard score.
“They change the variables around each year,” Costa Vice Principal Ian Drummond said. “They’re constantly shifting the measurement to determine our API. I’m not concerned that we dropped one point.”
Many Costa students believe that their teachers are able to provide instruction that improves their academic level.
“The level of education that we receive is so superb year after year,” junior Wyatt Wiggins said. “This allows us to reach our level of academic achievement.”
Following the score decrease, the Costa administration feels that there is room for improvement in future years.
“The evaluation process for the common core for the next few years will fluctuate,” Drummond said.
“API’s may increase or everyone may drop. When we hit the 900s, it was very impressive, but we should keep improving more.”
Next year, the API will be based on the Common Core Standards. Instead of the original system, the new standards test students’ understanding of a subject rather than memorization of facts. The Common Core State Board of Education sets standards for students from K-12.
“We excel because we have great teachers and great students who are willing to learn,” Dale said.
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