Fallbrook, Bonsall schools above average, rankings show

By: TOM PFINGSTEN and LORELL FLEMING - Staff Writers | Wednesday, March 16, 2005 11:30 AM PST ∞

FALLBROOK ---- All but one traditional public school in the Fallbrook-Bonsall-Rainbow area scored at or above a statewide average on standardized tests last spring, according to new state rankings released Tuesday.

State School Scores Page

Data for two small charter schools in Bonsall and two Fallbrook alternative high schools were less decisive.

The rankings, which compare schools based on test scores that were released last fall, consist of two scores of 1 through 10. The first measures how well schools fared in comparison with all other schools in California; the second measures how well they compared with schools with students who have similar economic and cultural demographics.

According to the report, students at San Onofre Elementary School at Camp Pendleton fared the best out of four local school districts, earning a 9 out of 10 in both categories. Mary Fay Pendleton, the other military school managed by the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, also ranked high, with an 8 in the statewide rankings and a 9 when compared with similar elementary schools.

At Fallbrook High School, officials said they were pleased with their statewide ranking of 6.

"We're continuing to show improvement," said Principal Ruth Hellams, adding that she plans to continue to tailor her goals for the 3,000-student high school to standards that the state has set and measures with annual tests.

"As long as we continue to do that, we will continue to see growth in our test scores, and in our students," Hellams said.

Out of the eight schools in the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District to participate in the tests last year, only Maie Ellis fell below the state average with a ranking of 5. Potter Junior High fared well, earning a 7 in the statewide column and posting a perfect 10 when compared with similar schools.

On Tuesday, Potter Principal Bill Banning attributed the school's healthy scores to the staff's dedication and to several changes in lesson plans.

"We've been working for the last five years to make improvements," Banning said. "We have implemented increases in our language arts curriculum, but more than anything else, I think the staff is working hard to do the right things for the kids."

Within the Bonsall Union School District, Norm Sullivan Middle School received a ranking of 8 compared with all other California middle schools. Like Potter, the school earned a ranking of 10 compared with similar schools.

With an overall ranking of 8, Bonsall Elementary School scored better than most schools in California during last year's standardized testing. Bonsall Elementary also did well when compared with other schools with students of similar economic and ethnic backgrounds, earning a ranking of 9.

Bonsall's charter schools did not rank as highly as Bonsall Elementary and Sullivan. However, because the charter schools have a small number of students, the report warned that the data for the charter schools are less reliable and should be interpreted carefully.

The Bonsall Charter Academy for Learning had a statewide ranking of 6, meaning its students scored better than students at most California schools. Vivian Banks Elementary School, which mostly serves students from the Pala reservation, had a statewide ranking of 1.

Rankings comparing the small schools with other similar schools were not calculated, the report said.

Bonsall Superintendent Jef Schleiger said he expects better results from the charter schools in the future. They have been using after-school tutorials and computer software on top of what's being taught in the classrooms.

"The staff of Vivian Banks has been working hard with the students, and we're looking forward to seeing the 2005 test results," Schleiger added. "I'm sure we'll see improvements."

He said he also expected improvements at Bonsall Charter as well.

Vallecitos Elementary School had a statewide ranking of 7, meaning that scores of the Vallecitos students were better than most California schools. When compared with schools with students of similar economic and ethnic backgrounds, the rural school that generally serves the Rainbow community had a rank of 10.

In an interview Tuesday, Vallecitos Superintendent Paul Cartas shared the secrets to the school's success.

"We have very high, but reasonable, expectations for our students," Cartas said. "We're continuously looking at what we're doing to see how we can teach better."

Educators say the state rankings are a nice way of comparing schools, but shouldn't be the only tool parents and taxpayers use to judge schools.