BY JILL BALLINGER GAZETTE EDITOR

Schools within the Mariposa County Unified School District have once again fared well on state standardized testing. The California Department of Education released the Academic Performance Index (API) numbers late last week.

Acting Superintendent Aaron Rosander commented on the schools’ success. “The Department of Education's release of API growth targets show that all schools in our district continue to show impressive performance,” he said.

“I've no doubt that our schools will continue to build on their already strong show- ing. We look forward to the release of API scores this fall, and I fully anticipate a continued upward trend,” Rosander concluded.

Yosemite National Park Valley Elementary School posted the highest score at 921. The state scores schools on a scale of 200 to 1,000. The state’s target for all schools is 800. El Portal Elementary School was a full 84 points higher than the state target at 884. Woodland Elementary School, which has been in program improvement, posted an 849.

Mariposa County High School is just four points away from its target at 796. Coulterville Greeley Elementary School boasted a 793, and Mariposa Elementary was close behind at 791, as was Mariposa Middle School at 789.

Lake Don Pedro Elementary School scored a 786, and Cathey’s Valley Elementary posted a 782. The only school in the district with numbers below 700 was Sierra Home School, at 666.

The state also ranks schools overall and compares them with others in California that are similar in size and demographic. Yosemite Valley Elementary scored the district’s only perfect 10 in statewide rank. The tiny school does not have a similar schools ranking because of its size.

MCHS, Woodland Elementary and MMS achieved a “9” in similar school rankings.