Assessments Administered at Pine Creek
Pine Creek administers the following district, state, and national assessments annually:
ACT WorkKeys (not the standard ACT)
Advanced Placement (AP Exams)
AAPPL (World Language)
ASVAB
CMAS Science
IXL for Reading and Math
PSAT 8/9 for Freshmen
PSAT 10 for Sophomores
PSAT/NMSQT for Juniors (in the fall)
SAT for Juniors (in the spring)
WIDA Access
ACT WorkKeys
Offered during the first semester, ACT WorkKeys is one option for meeting Colorado state graduation requirements. Seniors must demonstrate minimum proficiency in reading and math skills. This requirement can also be met through SAT scores, ASVAB scores, and AP Exam scores. More information on meeting the proficiency requirement for graduation.
Advanced Placement (AP) Testing
AP exams, offered through College Board, allow students in AP classes to demonstrate knowledge and potentially earn college credit while still in high school.
Learn more on the Advanced Academics page or at CollegeBoard.org.
Current Pine Creek students should check their MSA email account and/or their Class Schoology course for AP testing details.
AAPPL (World Language Assessment)
The AAPPL test assesses language proficiency across interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive communication modes based on ACTFL standards. It is typically administered twice a year: in the fall to new upperclassmen and immersion program freshmen, and in the spring to all students in Spanish, French, and German classes. The AAPPL test can help students earn the Seal of Bi-Literacy for their diploma.
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
The ASVAB is an aptitude test developed by the Department of Defense to help juniors and seniors explore career options, understand their skills, and develop strategies to achieve career goals. A score of 31 or higher meets Colorado's graduation requirement.
Useful Links for ASVAB
CMAS Science
Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) Science assessment is administered automatically to all 11th-grade Pine Creek students.
Role of State Assessments
Colorado Academic Standards outline academic objectives across 10 content areas to prepare students for success after high school. CMAS and PSAT/SAT are common assessments aligned with these standards. Academy District 20 publishes an assessment calendar each fall based on Colorado Department of Education guidelines.
Purpose of State Assessments
CMAS and PSAT/SAT measure real-world skills like problem-solving and critical thinking, aligned with classroom instruction. These assessments provide parents with insights on:
Whether their child met state standards on CMAS
How their child compares to other students
Which schools and districts perform best academically
Additionally, state assessment results provide:
Data districts use to evaluate programs
Information educators use to improve instruction
Identification of schools with struggling students to provide support
Recognition of high-performing systems for best practices
Parent Excusal from State Assessments
State law allows parents to excuse their children from state assessments. To do so, please complete this form if you wish to excuse your Pine Creek student (grades 9-11).
CMAS Testing Schedule
Current Pine Creek students should check their @MSA or @student school email accounts and/or their Class of Schoology course for details on testing dates, times, acceptable calculators, transportation, lunch, and required materials.
IXL Learning Platform
IXL is a personalized learning platform offering standards-aligned content for math and English. Teachers assign skills for practice and progress monitoring, helping students accelerate academic achievement and growth.
PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10
All freshmen are automatically enrolled to take the PSAT 8/9, and all sophomores take the PSAT 10.
About the PSAT
The PSAT assesses the same skills as the SAT, tailored for 9th and 10th graders. It builds on CMAS tests and aligns with Colorado Academic Standards and the SAT taken in 11th grade. The PSAT also helps identify students' potential for success in advanced coursework.
PSAT Testing Schedule
Current students should check their @MSA or @student email accounts and/or Class of Schoology course for testing details.
Parent Excusal
Parents may excuse their children from state assessments by completing this form (grades 9-11).
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is administered to juniors in October. It determines eligibility for the National Merit Program and provides SAT practice for the spring test.
SAT
Juniors are automatically registered to take the SAT in the spring. Colorado requires students to demonstrate proficiency in English and math, which can be met by earning minimum SAT scores of 470 in English and 500 in math.
The SAT also serves as a college admission test accepted by all U.S. colleges. Students can send scores to up to four colleges for free at the time of testing.
SAT Testing Schedule
Current students should check their @MSA or @student email accounts and/or Class of Schoology course for testing details.
Parent Excusal
Parents may excuse their children from state assessments by completing this form (grades 9-11).