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In the Upper School, the academic year is divided into two semesters. Written narrative reports are prepared for each quarter in November, January, April, and June. Students new to the Academy and those who experience a significant change in performace receive written reports mid-semester, as well. Student progress is reviewed on Parent Teacher Conference Days held in December and March. Written reports are distributed on these conference days, and an end-of-year report is mailed home in June. Parents are encouraged to inquire about their student's work at any time.

Standardized Tests
The Academy is proud to be an independent school. (What does that mean? Click here to learn more.) We recognize, however, that this designation often comes with some confusion around the standardized tests that we administer. It’s true that our students don’t take the Regents exam. State law allows independent schools, private schools, and parochial schools to opt out of giving the Regents tests; and the Academy curriculum exceed Regents standards. Students in Grades 9-12 take:

Grade 9
ERB Test
The ERB (Educational Records Bureau) Test was developed by Educational Testing Service to serve the needs of high-achieving students and schools that aspire to higher standards. The “ERB” is a rigorously designed series of assessments in reading, writing, and mathematics developed to help educators collect critical educational data that answers the questions of administrators, teachers, and parents about achievement. The ERB provides percentile and stanine comparisons.

WrAP: The Writing Assessment Program
Developed in close collaboration with independent schools and Measurement, Inc., the WrAP stands apart from nearly every other available writing assessment. Unlike other instruments that provide only holistic scoring, the WrAP is scored analytically. Using a six-trait, six-point rubric, information is provided that can help target instruction for teachers in the area of writing. These raw scores are useful for developing student profiles and creating a writing program for students at all levels. In direct writing assessment, the student is asked to produce a piece of writing which is then evaluated by two readers. Besides evaluating a student’s knowledge of grammar and writing, a direct assessment can also determine how well the student can think, plan, and use language to convey meaning.

Grade 10
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a program co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. It’s a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT and gives students a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs.