The California Department of Education 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 seven percent gain in the number of students meeting and exceeding English Language Arts (ELA) standards (84 percent total) and a four percent gain in the number of students meeting and exceeding Math standards (79 percent total).
The College Board also released Advanced Placement (AP) test passage rates. In 2025, 96 percent of South Pasadena High School’s (SPHS) AP students earned a passing score of 3 or higher. This outstanding performance positively impacts high school ratings. Especially notable are 100 percent passage rates for exams in AP 2-D Art and Design, Calculus A/B, Physics 1, Spanish Language, and U.S. History.
AP test participation and passage rates for high school students have increased over the past five years. Passage rates have risen from 88 percent in 2020–2021 to 96 percent in 2024–2025. 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 given statewide, they provide an opportunity to measure the skills of all students against the same academic standards in the same way. The results also give schools valuable information to improve teaching and learning. Administered online, the tests are computer-adaptive, allowing more precise measurement of individual skills. Student results in CAST (science) testing, which is given as part of the CAASPP testing, show overall growth for all students with some fluctuations across individual grade levels.
“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 through the Aeries Parent Portal. The reports detail an overall score for each subject and information on how each child performed in skill areas associated with English language arts/literacy and mathematics. When available, the score report also presents two years of data, allowing families to view a child’s progress over time.
More information about CAASPP testing, including videos and guides to understanding score reports and assessments, may be found here: http://bit.ly/CAASPPtesting
Additional information about AP scores may be found here: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores
