API RESULTS MIXED IN SCV HIGH SCHOOLS, ELEMENTARIES DO BETTER THAN JUNIOR HIGHS.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Four of the five Santa Clarita Valley junior highs scored in the bottom half of similar schools statewide, while three of the four high schools did better than average, according to comparisons released Tuesday by the state.

The California Department of Education released Academic Performance Index rankings for 2000, listing how local schools performed statewide, as well as how they compared with similar schools based on socioeconomic status, average class size, parental involvement and number of credentialed teachers.

Nearly all area elementary schools did better than average when compared with similar schools, with the seven schools in the Sulphur Springs School District scoring at least a seven or higher on a scale of one to 10.

``We've developed materials in-house to help (schools) prepare for the tests,'' said Robert Nolet, superintendent at the Sulphur Springs district. ``We have block tests three times a year that help teachers understand how their students are doing.''

Two campuses in Sulphur Springs - Canyon Springs and Mint Canyon - earned the maximum score of 10 when compared with similar schools, while both schools scored a six in the statewide rankings.

All but one of the Saugus Union School District's 13 campuses scored above average in similar-school rankings, with Helmers Elementary earning a five. Nevertheless, Helmers had the highest score in the district on the test.

``We believe that good teaching will produce good test scores,'' said Joan Lucid, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the Saugus Union School District. ``But when I take a look at the statewide rankings, that's when I see that all the Saugus schools have just done phenomenally.''

Statewide, the Saugus district earned six 10s, five nines, an eight and seven.

``Our schools are working with students via interventions with reading comprehension, mathematics,'' Lucid said. ``They've really taken a look at targeting individuals in need of interventions. Our schools have improved over the last year.''

Of the local junior highs, however, Arroyo Seco Junior High - the largest number of students tested with 1,356 - was the only one to shine when compared with similar schools, earning a nine. Sierra Vista scored a five, while La Mesa and Placerita junior highs and Castaic Middle School all scored fours.

Gary Wexler, director of curriculum for the Hart Union High School District said that the similar-schools rankings are of less importance to the district than the statewide rankings and overall test scores.

``We don't spend a lot of time looking at the similar-school rankings because it's an artificial statistical construct that is always changing,'' Wexler said, adding that the district would rather focus on how its schools compare with the best in the state.

With the exception of Valencia High, which scored a four in the similar-schools ranking, Hart's high schools rated above average in both similar schools and statewide rankings, earning no lower than an eight statewide.

``We knew our schools would be in the top 20-25 percent in the state,'' Wexler said. ``We obviously want to make sure everyone's improving and we're doing that through special interventions.''

The Newhall School District earned solid marks in both statewide and similar-schools rankings. Meadows Elementary scored highest, with 10s in both categories, while Old Orchard Elementary earned a seven in the similar-schools category but earned an average mark of five statewide.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Oliva Patino's third-grade class at Mint Canyon helped the school score a maximum 10 compared with similar schools in a statewide performance test.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer

Box: API Results