Our local school's API rating is 785. But in the next town there's a school with a score of 913. I'm wondering if it would be a better choice for my kindergartener.

The state sets an API goal of 800, so the scores you mention indicate strong performance on the part of both schools. You can view detailed API reports for each school online at the California Department of Education's site. .

Type in the school name to find lots of additional information that goes beyond just the API number. You'll also find out how some of the subgroups of students scored.

Or go to our Web site and look in the "Compare Schools" section.

Examine how the schools you're considering compare to similar schools around the state. Take a look at factors such as the average class size, the teachers holding appropriate credentials, the reading and math test scores, and more. You'll also note that the percentage of students learning English may be different at each school, which might help to explain the difference in the API scores.

To make the best choice for your child, however, look at more than just data. I recommend visiting both schools to see which would be a better match for your child in terms of student population, after-school offerings, etc. These factors can be more important in the long run than an API score. If you remain interested in the school outside your attendance area, you'll have to obtain an inter-district transfer: your district would have to release your child, and the new school and its district would have to accept him. You'd be responsible for transportation and could lose your spot in the new school if students move into that attendance area and need a place. Each district has its own transfer policy and procedures, so you'd need to investigate this now.