Percentage of Students Passing Advanced Placement Tests Continues to Climb
SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. (October 9, 2025) – 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 year 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+. This high percentage rate will positively impact 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 during the past five years. Passage rates have trended upward from 88 percent passing with a score of 3+ in 2020-2021 to 96 percent of students passing with a score of 3+ 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, and the results provide information schools can use 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 growth for all students with some fluctuations for the 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 different skill areas associated with English language arts/literacy and mathematics. The score report presents two years of data when it is available, which allows parents and guardians to view a child’s progress over time.
More information about CAASPP testing, including videos and guides to understanding the 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.
About South Pasadena Unified School District
Established in 1886, the South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) serves approximately 4,700 students within five schools including three elementary schools, one middle school and one comprehensive high school in South Pasadena, California. Nestled in the West San Gabriel Valley, SPUSD has earned a reputation for providing high quality public education, attracting families who value challenging academic programs and outstanding teachers. Consistently recognized for superior performance, SPUSD students earn honors at the local, state and national level. The District draws vital support from parents and community members through the South Pasadena Educational Foundation, local PTAs, and booster clubs.
For more information, contact: South Pasadena Unified School District, Office of the Superintendent at [email protected].