SPUSD students (Photo – SPUSD)
The California Department of Education has released the 2024–2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results for students in grades three through eight and grade 11. Since the state began CAASPP testing in 2014–2015, South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) has seen a 7% increase in the number of students meeting or exceeding English Language Arts (ELA) standards (now at 84%) and a 4% increase in those meeting or exceeding Math standards (now at 79%).
By News Desk
The College Board also released Advanced Placement (AP) exam results, with 96% of South Pasadena High School (SPHS) students earning a passing score of 3 or higher in 2025. This strong performance positively impacts high school ratings. Notably, several AP courses, 2-D Art and Design, Calculus AB, Physics 1, Spanish Language, and U.S. History, achieved a 100% pass rate.
Over the past five years, both AP participation and passage rates have increased. In 2020–2021, 88% of AP students earned a score of 3 or higher; by 2024–2025, that number had risen to 96%. During the 2024–2025 school year, 43 additional students took 261 more exams compared to the previous year.
“Our students are achieving at the highest levels,” said Associate Superintendent of Instructional Services Christiane Gervais. “These excellent CAASPP and AP exam scores are a powerful recognition of the commitment and hard work demonstrated every day by our students, with incredible support from our educators and parents. SPUSD is proud to be a top unified school district in California.”
Because CAASPP tests are administered statewide, they allow schools to measure student performance against consistent academic standards. The computer-adaptive, online assessments provide a precise evaluation of individual skills. Results from the California Science Test (CAST), part of the CAASPP system, also showed overall student growth, though with some variation by grade level.
“We are thrilled by these positive outcomes for our students,” said Superintendent Angela Elizondo Baxter. “Data like this informs our objectives and planning, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. SPUSD is dedicated to supporting every student’s path to reach their highest potential.”
This summer, parents and guardians received individual student score reports via the Aeries Parent Portal. These reports include overall scores in each subject, detailed performance in specific skill areas for ELA/literacy and mathematics, and when available, two years of data to help track student progress over time.
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