Schools
Novato Continuation School Students STAR on State Achievement Test
Marin Oaks High honored 38 continuation students who improved their test scores in at least one subject from last year. The "second-chance" school's 763 API is seven points above the state average - for all schools.
A so called "second-chance" Novato High School just flipped that tag on its head.
Marin Oaks High, a continuation school that typically attracts students who are credit deficient or at risk of not graduating, posted surprisingly strong test results earlier this month.
The school's 763 Academic Performance Index (API) score - an 80-point improvement over last year's score - was seven points above the state average for all ninth-through-11th graders participating in the test.
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California continuation schools typically score in the 500 to 600 range.
Marin Oaks Principal Kessa Early attributes the strong showing to a small classes fostering a collaborative culture.
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“Our students performing so well is validation that the school is working for so many students," Early said.
Forty two of the 45 school's students who took the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) test last year had improved scores in at least one subject. The school on Friday honored 38 of those students (continuation schools have inherently transient student populations).
"A growth of 80 (points) and an API score of 763 brings Marin Oaks closer to the traditional schools scores, demonstrating that great work is being done here," Early said.
"We have outstanding teachers and hardworking students. We should all be proud of the great work that is taking place at Marin Oaks.”
