MUSD Students Continue to Surpass County and State Averages
(Moorpark, California) Oct. 16, 2025—Excellence in learning has become a hallmark of Moorpark Unified School District, where students once again surpassed Ventura County and state averages in English language arts, math and science across nearly all grades.
"Connecting with every student every day is our focus," Superintendent Dr. Kelli Hays said. "And our teachers and staff embody that mission in everything they do. These results show what’s possible when we stay true to that commitment."
The California Department of Education recently released results from the Smarter Balanced tests taken last year. The exams, part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) system, measure whether students are meeting grade-level learning standards.
All students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 take the tests in English language arts and math. Students in grades 5, 8 and 10 through 12 also take the science assessment.
Overall, MUSD had 59% of students meet or exceed standards in English language arts (ELA), an increase of 5% from the year before, and 45% meet or exceed standards in math, a continuing increase and an increase of 1% from the year before.
“These results are the product of intentional teamwork,” Dr. Hays said. “Teachers sharing best practices, staff providing support and our school leaders creating space for innovation in every classroom.”
By comparison, Ventura County had 48% of students meet or exceed standards in English language arts and 35% in math. California had 49% meet or exceed standards in English language arts and 37% in math.
“The Board celebrates what these results represent: students, families and educators working together over time,” said MUSD Board President Amy Adams. “This success belongs to our entire community and shows what’s possible when we stay focused on every child’s potential.”
Notably, Moorpark High School saw a 12% increase in English language arts scores, and districtwide, 11th graders showed an 11% increase. In science, 39% of MUSD students met or exceeded standards, compared with 32% in Ventura County and 33% statewide.
Dr. Hays said while the district is proud of its test score gains, she values even more the culture of learning that keeps MUSD focused on continuous growth.
MUSD highlights include the following:
Nearly all grades tested (3-11) outperformed the county and state in ELA and math by 5%-22%.
Grades 6, 7, and 11 made the greatest gains in math; and grades 3, 6, 7 and 11 and made the greatest gains in ELA from 2023-2024 to 2024-2025.
Special Education, Hispanic and African American students in MUSD saw higher math scores, while socioeconomically disadvantaged, English learner, Special Education and Hispanic students posted gains in English language arts.
Overall, MUSD students increased the percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards in both ELA and math.
MUSD’s focus on the transition to middle school led to a 4% increase in sixth-grade math and a 13% increase in English language arts, with sixth graders far exceeding the performance of their peers in the county and state.
Likewise, the seventh graders scored higher in math and seventh and eighth-graders scored higher in ELA in comparison to the county and state.
And high school juniors increased their math scores by 7% and ELA by 12%, also giving them scores higher than their peers at the county and the state levels.
Since students’ return after the pandemic, MUSD has worked to build a curriculum that meets academic goals while supporting students’ overall well-being. The district created assessment committees at each school, hired a math coordinator, expanded reading and co-teaching programs and added three support staff educators at each elementary school to provide targeted learning.
Interim Assessment Blocks, or IABs, provide educators with real-time insights into student progress, helping them tailor instruction to individual needs.
For the past three years, MUSD has implemented a comprehensive IAB schedule in English language arts and math, developed with teacher input. The schedule offers a clear framework for assessment while allowing teachers the flexibility to adjust lessons based on classroom performance.
Moorpark Unified also uses a Response to Intervention (RTI) model and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) districtwide. RTI identifies and supports students who need additional help, while MTSS uses data to guide systemwide improvements that address both academic and social-emotional needs.
MUSD was recently recognized by the Ventura County Office of Education for its efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism. The district maintains one of the lowest absenteeism rates and strongest attendance records among unified school districts in the county.
The state also recognized MUSD for its exceptional stability rate over the past three years. Last year, the district achieved a 97.5% stability rate—the highest of any unified school district in Ventura County.
“We celebrate this progress while staying grounded in the work ahead,” Dr. Hays said “We will not lose sight of the importance of ensuring every student continues to improve and every school remains focused on its core work of teaching and learning.”