The API rank is the result of students taking a series of tests (the Stanford 9 and California Standards English Language Arts tests). The scores are used to help teachers improve their performance.

The Academic Performance Index ranges from 200 (lowest) to 1000 (highest). In general, higher API scores indicate higher overall academic performance, as measured by the Stanford 9 tests. El Camino Real overall score is an 801.

The state's goal for every school is 800. To encourage schools to improve the academic performance of all students, the state also computes APIs for each of the major subgroups of students at the school.