• Benchmark Tests:  These are usually given at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year and measure current progress toward learning goals.  This term is usually associated with English Language Arts.  Benchmark reading scores are based on either an alphabetized or numerical leveling system related to the difficulty of a child’s book.  For example, a level A book is appropriate for Kindergarten.  Students in first grade should be reading at Level I by the end of the year.  Each grade level has a benchmark reading level.

• End-of-Unit or End-Module Tests:  These terms are generally associated with math and science.

• Midyear Assessments (MYA):  These are also associated with Math.  

• End-of-Year or End-of-Course Assessments (EOY/EOC):  Elementary and Middle-level math, science, and social studies “final exams.”  

• MCAS:  All students in grades 3-8 are tested in reading and math each year across Massachusetts.  In addition, students in grades 4 and 7 take the Long Composition (writing) test; students in grades 5 and 8 also take the Science, Technology & Engineering (STE) test.  Students may receive a score of Advanced (or Above Proficient), Proficient, Needs Improvement, or Warning.   Kilmer results for the MCAS can be found here.
• 1st Predictive -  These serve as a pre-test, with content that includes some standards from the previous grade and standards that will be assessed on the current grades's MCAS.  All content is aligned with DESE's released MCAS blueprints and continues to reflect the district's transition to the Common Core State Standards,  The data provided by these assessments include student item analysis, developmental level (or scaled) scores, and predicted MCAS performance levels.  All student reports are standards based.
• The 2nd Predictive, which serves as a post-test, also gives teachers valuable standards-based data about what students have learned thus far in the school year and in what areas they are still struggling.  Combined, the predictive assessments provide a measure of student growth within grades.  This offers teachers an opportunity to address standards that student have not yet mastered before the MCAS are administered.  This also allows school and district administrators to tailor interventions and professional development to each school's specific needs.

Additionally, some tests are entrance requirements for Advanced Work Class (AWC), such as the Terra Nova test (formerly the Stanford-9), and for the Exam Schools, which uses the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE).  Other tests include the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), given every other year to our fourth- and eighth-graders by the US Department of Education.

Please feel free to call/email our staff in each building who manage the testing schedule.

Upper School, (617) 635-6855

Lower School, (617) 635-8060