Upper School Testing

All fifth and seventh graders take the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills in April.  The results are sent home at the end of the school year with the student’s report card.  The counselor meets with all freshman and their parents at the beginning of the school year.  Discussion of high school and college planning is reviewed.  In beginning this college preparation, the freshmen students take the PLAN which is a preliminary ACT.  The test is taken in October and results are reviewed in December.  The Sophomore and Junior students participate in the PSAT – preliminary SAT in October.  Results are discussed with the students and sent home in December or January.  Through this participation of the PSAT, juniors compete for the National Merit Scholarship.  Westfield is a testing site for the SAT in October, January, and June.  All juniors and seniors are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these testing dates.

TIP

The Duke University Talent Search (TIP) identifies academically talented 7th graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school.  Candidates are identified and invited to complete either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment college entrance examination.  TIP then provides the participants with comparative information concerning their academic abilities and resources for unique educational opportunities.  Eligible students must have scored at the 95th percentile or higher on either of their two most recent grade level achievement, aptitude, mental ability, or approved state criterion-referenced test.  Ideally, that would be grades 5 and 6.  Students need only qualify in one acceptable Math (Mathematics Concepts & Estimation, Mathematics Problem Solving & Data Interpretation, Mathematics Total), Verbal (Language Total, Reading Comprehension, Reading Total, Reading Vocabulary), or Composite (Composite, Core Total) subtest.  Westfield students are notified of eligibility in the fall and may register for the testing opportunity in December or January.  Students are encouraged to apply online at the .