Frequently Asked Questions
What is The School Advocate?
We rank public schools based on standardized test performance in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. We currently cover schools in California, Georgia, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, with more states added soon.
Where does the data come from?
Data comes directly from each state's department of education. California uses CAASPP/CAST scores, Washington uses SBAC, Oregon uses OSAS, Georgia uses Georgia Milestones (EOG/EOC), and Pennsylvania uses PSSA and Keystone exams.
How are schools ranked?
Schools are scored using a weighted average of English (40%), Math (40%), and Science (20%) percentiles within their grade band (Elementary, Middle, or High School). Recent years are weighted more heavily (70% most recent, 20% prior year, 10% oldest). Schools need at least 30 students tested and both English and Math scores to be ranked.
Can I compare schools across states?
Comparisons are limited to schools within the same state. Each state uses different standardized tests with different scoring scales, so cross-state comparisons would not be meaningful.
How often is the data updated?
Rankings are updated annually when each state's department of education releases new test scores, typically in the fall.
Why is my school unranked?
Schools may be unranked if they lack sufficient test data, have fewer than 30 students tested in a given subject, or are missing both English and Math scores.
Why doesn't my school show Science scores?
Not all states or grade levels include Science in their standardized testing. For example, Oregon's SBAC only covers English and Math. When Science data is unavailable, the school is ranked on English and Math alone (50/50 weighting).
What is the difference between Average Class Size and Student-Staff Ratio?
Average Class Size is the actual number of students in a typical classroom, sourced from class roster data (SARC reports in California, OSPI in Washington, ODE in Oregon). Student-Staff Ratio divides total enrollment by all certified staff — including specialists, coaches, and resource teachers who don't lead their own classroom. The ratio is typically lower than the class size because it counts staff who aren't classroom teachers. We show both metrics where available so parents can compare schools accurately. Class size data is currently available for California, Washington, and Oregon.