Achievement
PSSAs
The annual Pennsylvania System School Assessment is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment which provides students, parents, educators, and citizens with an understanding of student and school performance related to the attainment of proficiency of the academic standards. These standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science and Technology identify what a student should know and be able to do at varying grade levels. School districts possess the freedom to design curriculum and instruction to ensure that students meet or exceed the standards' expectations.
Every Pennsylvania student in grades 3 through 8 is assessed in English Language Arts and Math. Every Pennsylvania student in grades 4 and 8 is assessed in science.
Individual student scores, provided only to their respective schools, can be used to assist teachers in identifying students who may be in need of additional educational opportunities, and school scores provide information to schools and districts for curriculum and instruction improvement discussions and planning.
SATs
The SAT test is a nationally-normed benchmark utilized by colleges and universities as a major admissions indicator. It is designed to help admissions personnel in assessing a student’s likelihood of success in a college environment. SAT scores can range from 200-800 on each of the two sections of the test.
ACT
The ACT Assessment is a college admission test in direct competition with the SAT. The ACT Assessment contains four curriculum-based tests that measure academic achievement in the areas of English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The ACT also provides an overall Composite score. In addition to these four curricular areas and the summary composite, students may also opt to complete an additional writing assessment (ACT Plus) new in 2006. The ACT writing component is recommended by our high school counseling staff when students opt to take the ACT.
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement courses follow a prescribed syllabus developed and audited by the College Board. AP courses are designed to equate to the initial year of college/university study in a given subject. Students who score a 3 or above, out of a possible high score of 5, generally indicate that a student is “qualified” for college-level coursework; a 4 indicates a student is “well qualified”; and a 5 indicates a student is “extremely well qualified”. Therefore, a student scoring a 3 generally receives advanced placement, or college credit, from colleges and universities. The most competitive colleges and universities often require an AP score of 4 or 5 prior to granting credit.