William S. Hart Union High School District Continues to Outperform State and County Benchmarks in all Subjects on Final CAASPP and CAST Results
Targeted Math Focus Delivers Growth as District Metrics Rise in all Subjects and Across Graduation Rates, College & Career Readiness, English Learner Progress, and Student Attendance
Santa Clarita, CA - With today’s official release of the California School Dashboard alongside California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and California Science Test (CAST) results, the William S. Hart Union High School District continues to stand out as a premier public school system. Hart District students significantly outperformed California and Los Angeles County averages across all high school and junior high tested areas while achieving substantial progress on key California Dashboard accountability metrics.
These strong results underscore the district’s core mission: offering rigorous academic programs that challenge students to discover and excel on whatever path they choose. By meeting students where they are and challenging them to work to their potential, the Hart District equips students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in college, careers, and beyond - ensuring every student is opportunity ready.
California Assessment Performance (CAASPP & CAST)
Hart District high schools and junior highs consistently surpassed regional and state proficiency benchmarks (students scoring Proficient or Advanced):
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High school scores showed growth in every area tested, outpacing state averages by 19% in English Language Arts, 16% in mathematics, and 18% in science.
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Junior high scores also grew, exceeding state scores by 17% in English Language Arts, 17% in mathematics, and 12% in science.
Strategic Focus on Math Yields Record High School Gains
A highlight of this year's assessment data is the measurable impact of the district’s intentional, targeted investments in mathematics instruction:
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Districtwide Growth: Math proficiency jumped by 4% at the high school level and 2-3% at junior highs year-over-year.
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Double-Digit Campus Growth: Canyon High School, Hart High School, Academy of the Canyons, and La Mesa Junior High each posted double-digit growth in math.
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Canyon High School: Propelled by a dramatic 18% increase in math proficiency, Canyon High School rose to become a top-performer in the district in mathematics.
California Dashboard Highlights: Broad Student Success
Beyond state assessment scores, today’s California Dashboard release highlights improvement across major indicators of student achievement and well-being:
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Graduation Rate increased from 96.8% to 97.8%
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College and Career Indicator increased by 5.8 percentage points
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English Learner (EL) Progress increased by 3% districtwide, moving from medium to high performing on the Dashboard
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Chronic Absenteeism decreased by 2.3%, reflecting partnership with families to ensure all students are accessing their educational opportunities
"Today's data reaffirms that when you set high expectations and support students at every stage, exceptional growth follows," said Hart District Superintendent Michael Vierra. "From remarkable double-digit gains in mathematics to rising graduation rates and college readiness, these results demonstrate the dedication of our educators, support staff, and students. We remain steadfast in our commitment to preparing every student to be opportunity ready for college, career, and life."