Standardized Testing

Annually, the academic achievement of the elementary and secondary students is assessed for academic growth. The Diocese of Trenton Department of Catholic Schools has implemented the Renaissance/Star Assessments for students in grades two through eight.

The Renaissance/Star Assessments are nationwide norm-referenced assessments and score the students of the diocese in relationship to all students in the United States who participate in these assessments.  The Renaissance/Star Assessments are given three times during the school year to measure each student's growth accurately as the year unfolds. With the national average at a score of 50%, the schools of the Diocese of Trenton characteristically score higher on standardized assessments.

Students in kindergarten and first grade are assessed in the classroom through daily formative assessment practices and observation. This is in keeping with appropriate developmental practices for early childhood.

*Please rememeber while standardized testing is adminersted three times per year, evaluation is an everyday process at HCA. Parent reports are sent home at the conclusion of each assessment window. It is strongly advised that parents remember that standardized tests are only one indication of a child’s educational growth.