MBUSD: Enrollment Up, API Scores In

Statistics show that enrollment is up across the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, as was reported at the first school board meeting of the 2011-2012 academic year held Wednesday night at the MBUSD administration office.

Although some grade levels saw decreases in enrollment numbers, overall enrollment across the district has increased from the 2010-11 academic year by 89 students to 6,707.

“I feel very solid that our enrollment is stable,” said Ellyn Schneider, MBUSD executive director of student services. “That’s the most important thing we need to know.”

Kindergarten enrollment, as well as second and third grade enrollment, saw a small decrease from the 2010-2011 school year to this year. Most notable was the increase seen in fourth grade, which saw its number jump from 458 this past year to 525 as of the first day of this school year [Aug. 31].

Mira Costa High School also saw a substantial boost in population, particularly for incoming freshmen, as the ninth grade enrollment in the district is up by 151 students.

There are 2,868 students in MBUSD elementary schools, 1,387 in middle school and 2,452 in high school.

Schneider said that enrollment numbers could shift as the school year moves along.

API scores continue to increase across district

A detailed update on the MBUSD Academic Performance Index scores was presented to the board of trustees at Wednesday’s meeting, as the district continues to excel according to state standards.

The MBUSD landed a fall 2010 API score of 927, which increased by five points by the spring of 2011, significantly exceeding the state target of 800.

The district has seen continuous growth in each API cycle since 2007, as was revealed in the report presented by MBUSD executive director of educational services, Carolyn Seaton.

Seaton’s report also revealed that for the first time, each school in the district broke a score of 900, which prompted a round of applause from the board and those in attendance.

Grand View Elementary saw its score increase from 955 to 957 from 2010 to 2011, and Meadows Elementary saw its score jump from 937 to 946.

Pennekamp Elementary dropped from 957 to 948, Pacific Elementary dropped from 961 to 960 and Robinson Elementary dropped from 965 to 962.

“Other elementary schools would die for these scores,” Seaton said. “Any principal would be very proud, but in our elementary schools, we never want to see that drop.”

Manhattan Beach Middle School's API increased from 941 to 945 and Mira Costa High School's API increased from 899 to 911 during the same time period [fall 2010 to spring 2011].

Seaton’s report also revealed that the MBUSD 2011 Growth API of 932 is the third highest in the state of California for K-12 school districts. San Marino came in first, followed by La Canada.