SAN DIEGO -- President Obama said American schools need to have longer hours and longer school years. At Los Penasquitos Academy in Rancho Penasquitos, they've been doing that for 10 years.

The academy has 150 students in third grade through fifth grade. It's part of Los Penasquitos Elementary School, but with a difference -- they start school an hour earlier than other schools, and the school year begins eight days earlier.

"It's a good place to go to school; you learn more and get more education," says fifth-grader Sina Salemian.

Test scores prove that Los Penasquitos Academy is succeeding with its policy, as the school is about 30 percent higher than the state average.

Teachers said they make use of the extra time.

"It's not just, 'Let's fill the time,'" said teacher Kara Fradsham. "It's real studies. It's real curriculum, and they learn more."

The school day used to be two extra hours, and the school year was 13 extra days. However, budget problems meant cutbacks, but a foundation of parents raises money to keep the academy going.

"This is the battleground for America. You have to go to the elementary schools," said parent Paul Brooks.

Principal Deanne McLaughlin said even with less classroom time than they've had in the past, the students are getting more.

"The program here, because of the intensified instruction, is working for our students," said McLaughlin.

How do the students feel about a longer school day and a shorter summer vacation?

"I chose to go to a school that has more learning time; I want to go to college," said fifth-grader Valerie Brooks.