| School quality is one of the most important factors | | | | 4.Mesa Verde Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 904; |
| that parents consider when determining where to buy | | | | 2005 API = 895, Students: 1,355. |
| a home, condominium or townhouse. In the past, it was | | | | 5.Diegueno (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 896; |
| difficult to evaluate the quality of schools because no | | | | 2005 API = 873; Students: 931. |
| consistent evaluation standards existed between | | | | 6.Oak Valley (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 892; 2005 |
| states, and sometimes between counties within a | | | | API = Not Reported, Students: 599. |
| state. However, federal legislation such as No Child | | | | 7.Thurgood Marshall (San Diego Unified) 2006 API = |
| Left Behind (passed in 2002) sought to remedy this | | | | 891; 2005 API = 888, Students: 1,075. |
| situation. But even before 2002, some states | | | | 8.Bernardo Heights (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 877; |
| anticipated the need for greater consistency and | | | | 2005 API = 878, Studnets: 1,331. |
| accountability within their schools. For example, in 1999, | | | | 9.Muirlands Middle (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 877; |
| legislators in California passed the California Public | | | | 2005 API = 860, Students: 1,010. |
| Schools Accountability Act (PSAA). Among many | | | | 10.High Tech Middle (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = |
| other requirements, the PSAA established a school | | | | 876; 2005 API = 865, Students: 348. |
| performance metric known as the Academic | | | | 11.Coronado Middle (Coronado Unified). 2006 API = 874; |
| Performance Index (API). | | | | 2005 API = 872, Students: 671. |
| The API was designed to measure the academic | | | | 12.Twin Peaks Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 873; |
| performance and growth of schools. The API is | | | | 2005 API = 868, Students: 1,505. |
| reported as a numerical score that ranges from a low | | | | 13.Aviara Oaks Middle (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = |
| of 200 to a high of 1000. Schools in California are | | | | 872; 2005 API = 864, Students:761. |
| expected to achieve a score of 800 or higher. The | | | | 14.KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy (San Diego |
| API score is evaluated over a two-year cycle. This | | | | Unified). 2006 API = 858; 2005 API = 754, Students: |
| first year is considered the Base API Score, and the | | | | 234. |
| second year is considered the API Growth Score. To | | | | 15.High Tech Middle International (San Diego Unified). |
| determine if a school has improved from the pervious | | | | 2006 API = 856. 2005 API = Not Reported, Students: |
| year, simply compare the base score against the | | | | 302. |
| growth score. | | | | 16.Hillsdale Middle (Cajon Valley Union Elementary). |
| In California, the API is calculated based on data from | | | | 2006 API = 852; 2005 API = 835, Students: 1,492. |
| a variety of tests administered at different grade | | | | 17.Oak Crest Middle (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 |
| levels. These tests cover a broad range of academic | | | | API = 852; 2005 API = 851, Students: 959. |
| topics such as: English, Writing, Math, History, Social | | | | 18.Black Mountain Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = |
| Science, Language Arts, Science and General | | | | 844; 2005 API = 845, Students: 1,289. |
| Knowledge. Results from each of the tests are | | | | 19.Calavera Hills Middle (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = |
| consolidated and weighted to form the annual API | | | | 840; 2005 API = 830. Students: 489. |
| score for a school, district, and county. These tests are | | | | 20.Meadowbrook Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = |
| administered annually and the API results are reported | | | | 838; 2005 API = 845, Students: 1,370. |
| in late August or early September every year. | | | | 21.Mac Queen (Joan) (Alpine Union Elementary). 2006 |
| If you're thinking of buying a home or any other type of | | | | API = 817; 2005 API = 803, Students: 781. |
| real estate in San Diego County, you may be | | | | 22.Valley Middle (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 816; |
| interested in knowing which are the best performing | | | | 2005 API = 800, Students: 1026. |
| elementary, middle and high schools in the region. | | | | 23.Standley Middle (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 816; |
| Top 25 Public Elementary Schools in San Diego | | | | 2005 API = 838, Students: 1,297. |
| County (2006) | | | | 24.Wangenheim (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 816; |
| The list below ranks the top 25 elementary schools | | | | 2005 API = 797, Students: 1,208. |
| within the county based on their 2006 API Score. Also | | | | 25.Valley Center Middle (Valley Center-Pauma Unified). |
| listed is the school's district, their 2005 API score, and | | | | 2006 API = 815; 2005 API = 762, Students: 642. |
| the number of students tested within the school. As | | | | Top 25 Public High Schools in San Diego County |
| mentioned above, scores range from 200 to 1000, with | | | | (2006) |
| a minimum performance threshold of 800 or above. | | | | The list below ranks the top 25 high schools within the |
| 1.Sage Canyon (Del Mar Union District). 2006 API = | | | | county based on their 2006 API Score. Also listed is |
| 966; 2005 API = 963; Students: 480 | | | | the school's district, their 2005 API score, and the |
| 2.Creek Side (Poway Unified District). 2006 API = 961; | | | | number of students tested within the school. As |
| 2005 API = 955, Students: 520 | | | | mentioned above, scores range from 200 to 1000, with |
| 3.Ashley Falls (Del Mar Union Elementary). 2006 API = | | | | a minimum performance threshold of 800 or above. |
| 958; 2005 API = 943, Students: 439 | | | | 1.River Valley Charter (Lakeside Union Elementary). |
| 4.Carmel Creek (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 API | | | | 2006 API = 888; 2005 API = 868, Students: 142. |
| = 956; 2005 API = 946, Students: 288. | | | | 2.Preuss Model School at UCSD (San Diego Unified). |
| 5.Solana Pacific (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 API | | | | 2006 API = 879; 2005 API = 861, Students: 681. |
| = 954; 2005 API = 945, Students: 452. | | | | 3.Canyon Crest Academy (San Dieguito Union High). |
| 6.Torrey Hills (Del Mar Union Elementary). 2006 API = | | | | 2006 API = 868; 2005 API = 842, Students: 824. |
| 952; 2005 API = 950, Students: 531. | | | | 4.Coronado High (Coronado Unified). 2006 API = 851; |
| 7.Solana Highlands (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 | | | | 2005 API = 838, Students: 745. |
| API = 949; 2005 API = 947, Students: 292. | | | | 5.San Dieguito High Academy (San Dieguito Union |
| 8.Del Mar Heights (Del Mar Union Elementary). 2006 | | | | High). 2006 API = 836; 2005 API = 814, Students: 1,096. |
| API = 947; 2005 API = 929, Students: 299 | | | | 6.Rancho Bernardo High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = |
| 9.Deer Canyon (Poway Unified School District). 2006 | | | | 833; 2005 API = 832, Students: 2,059. |
| API = 947; 2005 API = 924, Students: 403. | | | | 7.Torrey Pines High (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 |
| 10.Bird Rock Elementary (San Diego Unified). 2006 API | | | | API = 832; 2005 API = 821, Students: 2,145. |
| = 943; 2005 API = 948, Students: 301. | | | | 8.High Tech High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 829; |
| 11.El Camino Creek (Encinitas Union Elementary). 2006 | | | | 2005 API = 792, Students: 373. |
| API = 941; 2005 API = 928, Students: 653. | | | | 9.La Jolla Senior High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = |
| 12.Park Village (Poway Unified District). 2006 API = | | | | 822; 2005 API = 834, Students: 1,235. |
| 940; 2005 API = 917, Students: 560. | | | | 10.Westview High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 820; |
| 13.Flora Vista (Encinitas Union Elementary). 2006 API = | | | | 2005 API =809, Students:1,594. |
| 939; 2005 API = 912, Students: 346. | | | | 11.Poway High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 815; 2005 |
| 14.Olivenhain Pioneer (Encinitas Union Elementary). | | | | API = 829, Students: 2,235. |
| 2006 API = 939; 2005 API = 928, Students: 555. | | | | 12.Mt. Carmel High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 806; |
| 15.Rancho Santa Fe (Rancho Santa Fe Elementary | | | | 2005 API = 824, Students: 1,620. |
| District). 2006 API = 939; 2005 API = 942, Students: | | | | 13.La Costa Canyon High (San Dieguito Union High). |
| 571. | | | | 2006 API = 805; 2005 API = 782, Students: 1,880. |
| 16.Solana Santa Fe (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 | | | | 14.School of International Studies at S. D. (San Diego |
| API = 938; 2005 API = 934, Students: 284. | | | | Unified). 2006 API = 797; 2005 API = 795. |
| 17.Kelley Elementary (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = | | | | Students:349. |
| 934; 2005 API = 925, Students: 349. | | | | 15.Dehesa Charter School (Dehesa Elementary). 2006 |
| 18.Robert E. Dingeman (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = | | | | API = 793; 2005 API = 785, Students: 376. |
| 932; 2005 API = 930, Students: 554. | | | | 16.High Tech International (San Diego Unified). 2006 API |
| 19.Mission Estancia (Encinitas Union Elementary). 2006 | | | | = 789; 2005 API = 764, Students: 269. |
| API = 925; 2005 API = 922 Students: 382. | | | | 17.Scripps Ranch High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = |
| 20.Chaparral (Poway Unified District). 2006 API = 924; | | | | 789; 2005 API = 799, Students: 1,677. |
| 2005 API = 894, Students: 529. | | | | 18.High Tech Media Arts (San Diego Unified). 2006 API |
| 21.Jerabek (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 924; 2005 | | | | = 777; 2005 API = Not Reported, Students: 159. |
| API = 928, Students: 545. | | | | 19.Carlsbad High (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 775; |
| 22.Scripps -Ellen Browning (San Diego Unified). 2006 | | | | 2005 API = 768, Students: 2,145. |
| API = 924; 2005 API = 924, Students: 333. | | | | 20.Escondido Charter (Escondido Union High). 2006 API |
| 23.Curie (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 923; 2005 API | | | | = 775; 2005 API = 755, Students: 533. |
| = 910, Students: 389 | | | | 21.Mira Mesa (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 775; |
| 24.Painted Rock (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 922; | | | | 2005 API = 758, Students: 1,795. |
| 2005 API = 912, Students 450. | | | | 22.Julian High (Julian Union High). 2006 API = 767; 2005 |
| 25.Hearst (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 922; 2005 | | | | API =726, Students: 154. |
| API = 903, Students: 263 | | | | 23.University City High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = |
| Top 25 Public Middle Schools in San Diego County | | | | 766; 2005 API = 766, Students: 1,350. |
| (2006) | | | | 24.Valhalla High (Grossmont Union High). 2006 API = |
| The list below ranks the top 25 middle schools within | | | | 763; 2005 API = 739, Students: 1,437. |
| the county based on their 2006 API Score. Also listed | | | | 25.Steele Canyon High (Grossmont Union High). 2006 |
| is the school's district, their 2005 API score, and the | | | | API = 748; 2005 API = 735, Students: 1,501. |
| number of students tested within the school. As | | | | The rankings above include only schools that were |
| mentioned above, scores range from 200 to 1000, with | | | | classified by the California Department of Education as |
| a minimum performance threshold of 800 or above. | | | | specifically an elementary, middle or high school. |
| 1.Carmel Valley (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = | | | | Schools classified in the "small" school category (which |
| 941; 2005 API = 931; Students: 1,252. | | | | have less than 100 students) or "alternate" schools |
| 2.Rancho Santa Fe (Rancho Santa Fe Elementary). | | | | were not included in this ranking. Readers should verify |
| 2006 API = 938; 2005 API = 933. Students: 101. | | | | the accuracy of the ratings above by visiting the |
| 3.Warren (Earl) Middle (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 | | | | California Department of Education's Web site. |
| API = 908; 2005 API = 885. Students: 551. | | | | |