MOORPARK, SIMI STUDENTS SHINE : STATEWIDE ACADEMIC INDICATORS PUT AREA CAMPUSES OUT ON TOP.

Byline: Michael Coit and Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writers

Simi Valley and Moorpark's high schools topped statewide rates on most academic indicators in the latest performance report issued today by the California Department of Education.

Led by particularly strong showings on college entrance exam scores and courses completed for college credit, Simi Valley, Royal and Moorpark high schools sent between 55 percent and 70 percent of seniors graduating in 1995 to California's state colleges and universities.

Nearly 90 percent of Royal students and more than 92 percent of Moorpark students in the class of 1995 completed all four years of school. There was no completion rate given for Simi Valley, according to the report.

Some 13 percent of the Royal and Simi Valley graduates enrolled at University of California or California State University schools, compared with 11 percent of the Moorpark graduates. More than 50 percent of the Simi Valley and Moorpark graduates went to a California Community College compared with 43 percent of the Royal graduates, according to the report.

School officials said the report reveals small but steady gains that show how students can succeed if they stay in school.

``Traditionally, Simi Valley schools have fared fairly well in how they compare academically statewide,'' said Kathryn Scroggin, interim assistant superintendent for educational services. ``This serves as an anchor to determine what direction we need to take to prepare them for college or whatever path they choose to take.''

The report uses completion rates, test scores, high school course enrollments, and college attendance to offer a summary of student performance. It is not intended as a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of education, state officials said.

The three high schools were comparable on college entrance exam scores and students completing Advanced Placement credit in the 1996 school year.

Royal had the highest percentage of seniors - 42 percent - completing the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Simi Valley seniors taking the test recorded the highest average score, 1065 out of 1600 - with 38 percent of that school's seniors taking the exam.

Simi Valley had the highest percentage of students completing Advanced Placement courses for college credit, at nearly 19 percent. Moorpark recorded the greatest gain compared with the previous year, as about 4 percent more students completed courses for college credit.

The annual report showed that Conejo Valley high school students again proved their schools' academic strengths by surpassing state averages in nearly every area, from college entrance exam scores to completion rates.

The statistics show students tend to stay in school, take challenging courses and attend college, said educators from the Las Virgenes, Oak Park and Conejo Valley unified school districts. Further, the number of students taking college entrance exams and Advanced Placement tests for college credit continues to increase.

Educators attributed the impressive numbers to a combination of strengths: committed and talented teachers; students dedicated to going to college; and parents who care about their children's education.

``I think teachers, students and parents put together a pretty good report for themselves,'' Conejo Valley Unified School District Superintendent Jerry Gross said. ``I've been to schools all over the country. Here, you get a high quality of teachers and parents who are very active in their children's schooling,'' he noted. ``You put that together and you've got it.''

The Conejo Valley's six public comprehensive high schools each had particular strengths.

Calabasas High School, for instance, topped other area schools by having nearly 60 percent of students taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test in 1995-96 score above the state average of 1006 out of 1600. The school's average score was also the highest in the area, at 1116, with 77 percent of seniors taking the test.

Calabasas High also had the highest percentage of 1995 graduates - 18 percent - attend University of California campuses.

``Obviously, some outstanding things are going on at Calabasas High,'' Las Virgenes Unified Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Bob Fraisse said. ``Students are really committed to learning.''

Westlake High School followed closely behind Calabasas, with 50 percent of its students taking the SAT scoring above the state average in 1995-96. The average score was 1095, and 66 percent of seniors took the test.

Westlake High also had a high percentage of students - 43 percent - receive an Advanced Placement exam score high enough to qualify for college credit.

Oak Park High School topped area high schools with only one dropout among 155 students in the class of 1995. Oak Park High also had nearly 8 percent of its 1994-95 class attend California State University campuses, the largest percentage for the area.