Testing, Assessments & Grading

Westonka High School consistently demonstrates academic excellence across all grade levels. Year after year, our students outperform their national and state peers on standardized assessments.

Main Contact

Mark Femrite
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
femritem@westonka.k12.mn.us
(952) 491-8002

Minnesota Report Card

Westonka High School Profile

Fast Facts

WHS Testing Information

Standardized Testing

Minnesota State Assessments

Westonka High School students take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) or Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) during the regular school day in their English, Math and/or Science courses.

Student Participation in Statewide Testing
Statewide Testing Opt-Out

Student Participation in Statewide Testing

Statewide Testing Opt-Out

Parents/guardians have a right to not have their student(s) participate in state-required standardized assessments. Please note: Choosing not to participate in state assessments negatively impacts school performance results that are publicly released and used by families and the community.

To opt your high school student out of the MCA/MTAS statewide assessment for the 2025-26 school year, please complete the Opt-Out of MCA/MTAS Tests Form. Deadline for students to opt out of MCA/MTAS testing is Friday, April 3, 2026. STUDENTS WILL ONLY BE ADDED TO THE OPT-OUT LIST UPON COMPLETION OF THE GOOGLE FORM or submitting documentation form from MDE. If your student is not participating in the MCA/MTAS, they will be assigned an alternative location during the class period when students are testing.

If families have any questions about standardized testing, please contact Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Mark Femrite at femritem@westonka.k12.mn.us.

Upcoming MCA/MTAS Test Dates

Subject	Grades Tested		Test Date
Reading (English)	Grade 8	Grade 10	April 7-10, 2026
Math	Grade 8	Grade 11	April 14-17, 2026
Science	Grade 8	H.S. Biology	April 21-24, 2026

ACT

The district ACT test is offered to all 11th grade students and to those in 12th grade who have not tested previously. It will be an online, full length, official ACT+Writing test that yields a college reportable score.

The District ACT is different from the National ACT in three important ways:

There is a different registration process. We will work with students to complete the registration process through a WIN pre-administration session in late February.
Testing will take place during the school day on Thursday, rather than on a Saturday morning.
The cost is only $20 (an ACT+Writing test on a national test date will cost students $93). The $20 payment will be collected through Skyward Family Access Fee Management. A confidential fee waiver will be applied to all students who qualify for educational benefits.

The role of an ACT score in the college admission process has shifted in recent years. Some colleges have made official statements about how they will consider an ACT score in the admissions process, while others have only committed to a ruling on the current graduating class. The district ACT+Writing is a low cost option for all junior students to take the ACT at least once in case their post-secondary path does end up requiring a test score. Students planning to apply to 4-year colleges that require or accept test scores will be able to use their score to satisfy college application requirements and/or scholarship qualification. Students planning to apply to 2-year schools may be able to use their score to substitute for otherwise required placement testing. And, students who are unsure of their plans for after high school will be able to use their score as a data point to help them determine an appropriate plan.

For more information about the ACT, please visit www.act.org.

Upcoming ACT Test Date

District ACT: March 12, 2026

National ACT Test Dates: March 6, May 8 and June 5, 2026

Pre-ACT

All 10th grade students take the Pre-ACT assessment. The Pre-ACT is an ACT product that provides a simulated ACT testing experience that evaluates students’ progress in reading, math, english, and science. Additionally, the Pre-ACT includes an interest inventory that yields helpful information for students as they consider their interests and future career pathways. Scores from the Pre-ACT will be shared with students during class and counselors will be on hand to help interpret results. These results aid in future considerations for post-secondary planning during their junior and senior years.

Learn more about the Pre-ACT at www.act.org.

Upcoming Pre-ACT Test Date

March 12, 2026

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

AP exams are open to all students, not just those who have taken an AP course. Homeschooled, online students, and others may take an AP exam for credit.

Students who complete an AP course and/or take the end-of-course examination may qualify for college credit from postsecondary institutions, provided their score meets the institution’s credit policy.

2026 AP Exam Dates

May 4, 2026 - AP Biology
May 5, 2026 - AP US Government
May 6, 2026 - AP Literature and Composition, AP Physics I
May 7, 2026 - AP World History, AP Statistics
May 8, 2026 - AP US History
May 11, 2026 - AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Seminar

PSAT/NMSQT

SAT

Standards Based Grading

Grades that are valid, reliable and transparent provide an accurate reflection of the knowledge and skills students have mastered.

Grades are formulated using Summative (80%) and Formative (20%) assessments and within a common WHS Grading Scale.

Late Assessments	Retakes	Re-learning Activities	Common WHS Grading Scale
Formative: Each shared course will develop and articulate their practice in relation to late formative work.	Student Eligibility: Must have completed all of the formative assessments in the unit prior to the administration of the retake. Must complete prescribed re-learning activity within the timeline identified by the teacher.	Student Eligibility: Must have completed all formative work aligned with the summative assessment prior to the administration of the re-learning activity and; Must initiate communication with teacher to obtain re-learning activities Will have completed the re-learning activity in addition to the retake within the timeline identified by the teacher
			A: 93-100%
			A-: 90-92%
			B+: 87-89%
Summative: TESTS: Students are expected to take the summative test on scheduled date. PROJECTS, SPEECHES, PRESENTATIONS, ESSAYS: All performance summative assessments expected by the due date for full credit. Summative assessments turned in after the due date will earn a penalty up to one letter grade when turned in by the deadline. Submissions after the deadline but before quarter end will be graded and will earn a maximum of 60% . If student scores under 60% they earn that score (ex. 40% = 40%), if student earns over 60% they earn 60% (ex. 80%=60%) Assessments affecting your peers (speeches, presentations, socratic seminars, etc) must be submitted by deadline and are not eligible for retake. All summative assessments at end of quarter or semester are not eligible for submission after end of grading period.	Teacher Guidelines: Teachers of shared courses, will ensure retake is as similar as possible. Teachers have the professional discretion to limit the number of retakes a student takes on a specific assessment if the student has not adequately completed the necessary work to earn a retake. Teachers will provide a fair retake that may or not resemble identical structure of the original assessment.	Teacher Guidelines: Will employ professional discretion to determine the scope of the Re-learning Activity and it will be aimed at providing an opportunity to demonstrate understanding of the expressed learning targets and will be reasonable in terms of student workload. Will employ professional discretion to determine the form of the Re-learning Activity	B: 83-86%
			B-: 80-82%
			C+: 77-79%
	Retake opportunities will be available with the condition that the credit earned on these activities will have a cap on points within a percentage range. Each department has identified a percentage cap within a range of 75-90%.		C: 73-76%
			C-: 70-72%
			D+: 67-69%
			D: 63-66%
			D-: 60-62%
			F: 0-59%
Extra Credit: Non-academic activities will not count towards any extra credit offerings Formative: Teacher discretion on whether it should be given Summative: Teacher discretion on how it is administered—not to exceed 5% on the grade of the assessment

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