
School Year Calendar

Standardized Testing Calendar
All required standardized assessments are scheduled in advance of the school year and shared with families in order to ensure transparency and minimize disruption to instructional time.
Every action helps build a stronger, more vibrant school community!
Final dates will be confirmed at the start of the school year and may be adjusted slightly to align with district/state testing windows.
Fall (September–October)
- NWEA MAP Growth (Reading & Math) – Grades K–8
Window: September–October
Winter (January–February)
- NWEA MAP Growth (Reading & Math) – Grades K–8
Window: January–February
Spring (April–May)
- Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) – Grades 3–8
- Reading, Math, and Science (grade-dependent)
Window: April–May
- NWEA MAP Growth (Reading & Math) – Grades K–8
Window: April–May
NWEA MAP Growth (Reading & Math)
MAP Growth is a nationally normed, computer-adaptive assessment used three times per year.
Why we use it
Measures individual student academic growth over time, not just grade-level performance
- Helps teachers identify strengths and areas for targeted instruction
- Provides immediate, actionable data to support differentiated learning
- Tracks progress across the school year and across grade levels
- Helps families understand student growth in a clear, accessible way
MAP Growth is not timed in a way that penalizes students and is designed to adapt to each learner’s level, providing a more personalized measure of achievement.
At Ocean of Wisdom School, assessment is used to support learning- not define it.
We use data to:
- Inform instruction and curriculum planning
- Identify students who may need additional support or enrichment
- Monitor academic growth over time
- Strengthen communication between teachers and families
- Guide schoolwide improvement efforts
Our Commitment
We are committed to using assessments thoughtfully and sparingly, ensuring that testing time does not replace meaningful learning time. Our goal is always to support the whole child - academically, socially, and developmentally - through a balanced approach to evaluation.
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