Scoring Methodology
Our composite score provides a single 1-100 number summarizing school performance across multiple dimensions. Unlike opaque ratings from other sites, every input, weight, and calculation is fully transparent.
How It Works
- 1We collect raw metrics for each pillar from official CDE data files.
- 2Each raw metric is converted to a percentile rank among same-type schools (elementary vs. elementary, high vs. high, etc.).
- 3Percentile scores are combined using pillar weights (see below) to produce the overall score.
- 4If a pillar has no data for a school, its weight is redistributed proportionally among the remaining pillars. At least 2 pillars must be present.
The 5 Pillars
| Pillar | K-8 | High School |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Achievement | 41% | 35% |
| Academic Growth | 24% | 20% |
| Equity | 18% | 15% |
| School Climate | 18% | 15% |
| College/Career Readiness | 0% | 15% |
Academic Achievement
Average CAASPP/SBAC proficiency rates for ELA and Math across all tested grades. Measures the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
Source: CAASPP Research Files (ELA & Math)
Academic Growth
CA School Dashboard change levels for ELA and Math indicators. Captures whether student outcomes are improving year over year, regardless of absolute level.
Source: CA School Dashboard indicator files
Equity
Proportion of student subgroups NOT rated Red or Orange on the CA Dashboard for ELA and Math. Schools where all demographic groups perform well score higher.
Source: CA School Dashboard indicator files
School Climate
Inverted chronic absenteeism rate combined with inverted suspension rate. Schools with fewer absences and fewer suspensions score higher.
Source: CDE Chronic Absenteeism & Dashboard Suspension files
College/Career Readiness
Four-year graduation rate (60% weight) combined with UC/CSU A-G course completion rate (40% weight). Only applies to high schools and K-12 schools.
Source: CDE Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate files
Score Tiers
Data Completeness
Each school's profile shows a data completeness indicator (0-100%) reflecting how many of the 5 pillars have available data. A school with all pillars present has 100% completeness. Small schools or those with suppressed data (fewer than 11 students in a tested group) may have lower completeness, and their scores should be interpreted with that context.
Peer Comparison
Percentile ranks are computed within groups of the same school type. This means an elementary school is only compared to other elementary schools, ensuring fair apples-to-apples comparison. State and county percentiles are also provided for broader context.
Data Sources
All data is sourced from the California Department of Education (CDE) public data files. We download, parse, and validate each file using the officially published record layouts. No data is estimated, imputed, or AI-generated. Where CDE suppresses data for privacy (small group sizes), we display "Data not available" rather than guessing.
- Public Schools Directory
- CAASPP/SBAC Research Files (ELA & Math)
- Census Day Enrollment
- Free/Reduced Price Meals (FRPM)
- CA School Dashboard Indicator Files
- Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rates
- Chronic Absenteeism
- Staff Assignment & Credentials