Testing Calendar
Lower
Quarter 1 – Ends October 15
- August 18 – August 28, 2025 - DIBELS (K-4)
- September 28 - October 10, 2025 - Benchmarks & STEP
- October 13 – October 15, 2025 - Reteach/Review
Quarter 2 – Ends December 19
- December 1 – December 15, 2025 - Benchmarks & STEP
- December 1 – December 19, 2025 - DIBELS (K-3)
- December 1 – December 19, 2025 - Capti (4)
- December 16 – December 19, 2025 - Reteach/Review
Quarter 3 – Ends March 12
- Feb 10-February 12, 2026 - WIDA ACCESS (EL English proficiency test)
- Feb 10 - Listening & Reading Tests
- Feb 11th - Speaking Test
- Feb 12th - Writing Test
Access for ELL is the MN state required assessment for English Language Learner
- February 23 – March 6, 2026 - Benchmarks & STEP
- March 9 – March 12, 2026 - Reteach/Review
Quarter 4 – Ends May 22
- April 8, 2026 (grade 4) - MCA Practice/Simulation
- April 9, 2026 (grade 3) - MCA Practice/Simulation
- April 21, 2026 (grades 3 & 4) - MCA Reading
- April 22, 2026 (grades 3 & 4) - MCA Math
- April 23, 2026 (grades 3-12) - MCA Make-Up Day
- April 27 – May 21, 2026 - DIBELS (K-3)
- May 4 – May 15, 2026 - Benchmarks & STEP
- May 18 – May 21, 2026 - Reteach/Review
Formative Assessments
Include on-going assessments, anecdotal records, quizzes, and diagnostic tests, reviews,
and observations in a classroom. Teachers use formative assessment to improve instructional methods and student
feedback throughout the
Formative “Benchmark” Assessments
Are used intermittently (weekly, bi-weekly, or end of quarter) to determine
mastery of MN standards. These may include, but are not limited to:
• Imagine It! Reading benchmarks, grades K-4
- Imagine It! Reading benchmarks, grades K-4
- Fluency, grades 1-4
- RIGGS orthography, phonics, writing
- Voyages Grammar, grades K-4
- Saxon Math, grades K-4
- DIBELS, grades K-3
- Capti ReadBasix, grade 4
- STEP (Strategic Teaching and Evaluation of Progress), grades K-4
Summative Assessments
Summative evaluations are used to determine if students have mastered specific
competencies, identify instructional areas that need additional attention, and evaluate the effectiveness of
instructional programs at the end of an academic year or at a pre-determined time. Summative assessments include
statewide and national tests. The ACCESS and Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) are administered once
per year.
- ACCESS assessments for EL students, grades K-4
- Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA), grades 3-4
Middle
February 2026
- Feb 10-February 12, 2026 - WIDA ACCESS (EL English proficiency test)
- Feb 10 - Listening & Reading Tests
- Feb 11th - Speaking Test
- Feb 12th - Writing Test
Access for ELL is the MN state required assessment for English Language Learner
April 2026
- April 14th, 2026 - MS MCA Math (5-8)
- April 16th, 2026 - MS MCA Reading (5-8)
- April 17th, 2026 - MS MCA Science (5 & 8)
- April 22nd, 2026 - 24th - MCA Make-ups
MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment) is the MN state required assessment to meet state and federal legislative requirements.
State Required Testing: The ELL and MCA tests are Minnesota state required tests. Local Testing: The PSAT, ACT, and AP tests are not required tests but made available to students who wish to take them at the school’s location.
Upper
October 2025
- PSAT - Oct 11, 2025
Standardized/Pre-SAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Exam
February 2026
- Feb 10-February 12, 2026 - WIDA ACCESS (EL English proficiency test)
- Feb 10 - Listening & Reading Tests
- Feb 11th - Speaking Test
- Feb 12th - Writing Test
Access for ELL is the MN state required assessment for English Language Learner
April 2026
- April 15th, 2026 - US MCA Science (10th) Math (11) Reading (10)
- April 22nd, 2026 - 24th MCA Make-ups
MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment) is the MN state required assessment to meet state and federal legislative requirements.
- ACT (date tbd)
May 2026
- AP (Advanced Placement) Testing (May 2-13)
College level examinations based on college level Advanced Placement classes. Colleges/Universities may grant credit and placement based on student scores.
