Academic Performance Index (API) Calculator
Enter the number of students in each proficiency tier to calculate the overall school performance index.
What is the Academic Performance Index (API)?
The Academic Performance Index (API) is a numeric score used by educational departments to measure the academic performance and growth of schools. It summarizes the results of standardized testing across various subjects into a single number, typically ranging from 200 to 1,000.
How the API is Calculated
The calculation uses a weighted average system. Different performance levels are assigned specific point values. The more students scoring in higher proficiency brackets, the higher the school's overall API score will be. The standard weights used in this calculator are:
- Advanced: 1,000 points
- Proficient: 875 points
- Basic: 700 points
- Below Basic: 500 points
- Far Below Basic: 200 points
Example Calculation
Imagine a school with 100 students distributed as follows:
- 20 Advanced students (20 x 1,000 = 20,000)
- 50 Proficient students (50 x 875 = 43,750)
- 20 Basic students (20 x 700 = 14,000)
- 10 Below Basic students (10 x 500 = 5,000)
- 0 Far Below Basic students (0 x 200 = 0)
Total Points: 82,750
API Score: 82,750 / 100 students = 827.5
Importance of API Scores
School districts use API scores to identify schools that need additional resources, to reward high-performing institutions, and to track progress toward educational goals over time. While many states have moved toward more complex dashboards, the API remains a fundamental concept in educational data analysis and school accountability frameworks.