The Mountain View-Los Altos High School District's API score -- which ranks California schools based on their students' performance on statewide aptitude tests -- has risen for the tenth straight year, district officials announced Thursday, May 13.

"We've continuously improved our performance, so this is an affirmation that we're continuing to work towards our students' growth and development," Superintendent Barry Groves said of district's ranking.

The Mountain View Whisman elementary school district's API ranking increased as well, rising nine points to 817 for the 2009 school year.

MVLA's district-wide ranking rose by 19 points to 840 between the 2008 and 2009 school years. Within the district, Mountain View High School's API score rose ten points to 865 and Los Altos High School's score rose by 30 points to 825 during that time period.

The district's API ranking for its Latino students also increased this past year, rising by 36 points to 685.

Groves attributed the improved test results to recent teacher training initiatives and special programs and recognitions directed towards the district's lower-performing students.

"We still are concerned with the achievement gap, and we'll continue working with students until that gap is closed," Groves said.

The California Department of Education releases API, or Academic Performance Index, rankings every year. The rankings, which are out of 1000 points, are based on a school's annual Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) test results and, if applicable, its performance on the California High School Exit Exam.

A full list of the state's API rankings, as well as information about the scoring process, is available at the California Department of Education's website.

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