Student achievement in Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District; Yorba Linda City Council approves townhome project

Progress in student achievement in both English-language arts and mathematics was one key finding in a mid-year update of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District’s local control and accountability plan viewed by trustees at a February meeting.

The state-required update shows results in the three-year plan that “describes the goals, actions, services and expenditures to support positive student outcomes that address state and local priorities,” according to district officials.

The current plan, which was drafted in 2023, listed “desired” three-year outcomes for the 2026 ending date. Adoption of the next three-year plan is scheduled for a June 16 meeting, following an April 26 study session and a June 2 public hearing.

Student achievement in both English-language arts and mathematics is measured by an assessment test given each spring to students in third through eighth and 11^th grades.

A 2023 baseline shows a 64.75% achievement rate in English-language arts increasing to 67.39% at the mid-year mark, with a desired outcome of 70.8% after three years.

And a 2023 baseline shows a 53.48% achievement rate in mathematics increasing to 56.07% at the mid-year mark, with a desired outcome of 59.95% after three years.

Similar results were shown in “English learner” and “socioeconomically disadvantaged” subgroups.

Other results show a 2023 graduation rate baseline of 94.3% increasing to 95.6% mid-year, with a desired 95.8% after three years; and a 2023 high school dropout rate baseline of 2.3% increasing to 2.4% mid-year, with a desired outcome of less than 1.3% after three years.

Also, a 2023 Advanced Placement test pass rate baseline of 85% increased to 91.2% mid-year, with a desired outcome of 88% after three years; and a 2023 baseline of 59.5% of students meeting university entrance requirements dipped to 57.9% mid-year, with a desired outcome of 69.5% after three years.

The district’s charter school, the Orange County School of Computer Science for sixth through eighth grade students at the Bernardo Yorba campus, posted results in both English-language arts and mathematics.

A 2023 baseline of 55.9% achievement rate in English-language arts increased to 60.85% mid-year, with a desired 62% after three years; and a 2023 baseline of a 48.19% achievement rate in mathematics dropped to 43.56% mid-year, with a desired rate of 55% after three years.

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Yorba Linda’s City Council on March 3 approved a 62-unit townhome project for a 2.65-acre parcel fronting Yorba Linda Boulevard between Jessamyn West Park and North County Chabad Center on a 4-1 vote. Councilman Shivinder Singh was opposed.

The builder agreed to some 160 conditions to the project consisting of three- and four-bedroom units in 12 buildings, but nearby residents still opposed the development. City staff told the council there were “no qualifying reasons” to deny the project because of state laws.