San Rafael Schools Make Progress on Tests

San Rafael City Schools showed  strong increases in the 2010 state Academic Performance Index reports, reflecting curriculum improvements that have been made in recent years, officials said.

Most dramatically, Madrone High School, the district's alternative to its two major high schools, saw a 288 point increase from 2009 testing. The results jumped to 779 out of a possible 1,000.

Principal Jane Songer said students in the program are successful in a smaller environment with academic content presented differently than the larger-schools.

San Pedro Elementary School also showed sharp achievement growth with a 60-point increase from 2009, climbing to 744 on the academic index.

Superintendent Michael Watenpaugh said targeted instruction and  new curriculum tools were behind the improvement.

"Our partnership with the Marin Community Foundation, with funding to support early success, will lead to further closure of this gap and will help ensure that every student at San Pedro has access to learning opportunities that prepare them for school," Watenpaugh said. 

While the state results are encouraging, Watenpaugh said only two schools, Sun Valley and Glenwood elementary schools, met complex federal standards. 

Watenpaugh said the district is committed to working to get every student to reach federal Adequate Yearly Progress goals as established in the No Child Left Behind Act.

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