Students at Davidson Middle School in San Rafael boosted their state test scores in English and in math by an average of 10 points this year, the principal said.
“Growth was made by all subgroups,” Michael Stachon told the San Rafael Board of Education at its meeting on Dec. 16. “Some of those were double digits.”
Stachon acknowledged that the students’ scores as a whole were still below the standard for their grade levels, but said they were closer to meeting the standard than they were in the results of tests taken in 2022-23.
At Davidson, the school demographics include a number of students who are learning English. Of 1,060 students, 69% are Hispanic or Latino children and 25% are White children, Stachon said. Less than 2% are Black or Asian students.
In the 2023-24 scores in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, a total 38.43% of Davidson students met or exceeded the standard in English, and 31% met or exceeded the standard in math. Both of those were 10 points better than in 2022-23.
The Davidson CAASPP scores were on par with students in all grades statewide. Across the state, 34.43% met or exceeded the standard for English and 31% for math.
Trustees said they were pleased with the progress.
“Congratulations in getting all the test scores moving in the right direction,” trustee Mark Koerner said.
Trustee Lucia Martel-Dow agreed.
“Davidson is not an easy school,” said Martel-Dow. “There are lots of students who come there from different schools, and there’s a diverse population.”
Stachon said he expects to celebrate even more progress next year. The school has added a seventh period where students who need help in English and math can get “interventions,” or special attention from teachers in small classes.
The school also has also added nearly 40 elective classes, including computer science and the arts. Stachon said the students seem to be enthusiastic about many of the electives.
“I like the high-level math elective,” said trustee Isai Rodas. “I wish they had had that class when I went to Davidson.”
Trustee Carolina Martin, who was elected board president for 2025 during the meeting, said that while the student scores were still lagging the standard, parents should realize that it will take some time to rebuild in academic growth.
Meanwhile, the progress this year was a good first step, she said.
“It’s important to remind our families that this is just a beginning,” Martin said.
More details on the CAASPP scores are online at shorturl.at/186gD.
