Dixon Montessori Charter School.

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Dixon’s Charter Montessori School rated “green,” which is next to the highest performance rating in four categories on the California School Dashboard, outshining all other schools in Solano County, giving Executive Director Ben Ernest one great Christmas present.

“It’s kind of a big deal and pretty cool. I even checked Yolo, and we’re the only ones in the green in four categories,” he said enthusiastically about the site that acts as the California communication tool for parents and educators by the California Department of Education.

“It shows how we’re doing and how we’re improving,” he said.

The Dashboard helps inform local planning and educational partner engagement around local control and accountability plans, according to the site. The Dashboard also helps identify local educational agencies and schools in need of additional assistance under state and federal law. 

The site uses a large database and considers English language arts and mathematics scores, but also rates things like chronic absenteeism and suspension rate behavior, teacher credentials, parent engagement, and school climate, which considers data related to how well schools are providing a healthy, safe, and welcoming environment., etc. It is broken down by demographics and age, too. The report is updated annually.

Dixon Montessori Charter School’s enrollment is approximately 447, with 24.4 percent socioeconomically disadvantaged and 6.7 percent English learners.

“I attribute the findings to our ‘corroborative culture’ between all the stakeholders — students, parents, and teachers — to do what’s best for the students,” Ernest said. He also attributed the funds brought in from the State that have helped them increase school enthusiasm and participation.

“[The funds] propped us up again from the learning recovery after the pandemic,” Ernest reported. “We were able to hire coaches and they taught staff how to teach students and how to start an after-school sports program.”  Monies were also used to start an after-school drama class.

That ‘culture’ actually started with COVID, Ernest added.

“During COVID, our scores actually went up, which was opposite from everyone else,” he said. “When it hit, we pulled everyone together, and even went out and delivered lessons including books and supplies to every student and kept school going.”

For questions about the Dashboard, go to https://www.caschooldashboard.org/ or call (916) 319-0863. The school is at 355 North Almond St.