Standardized Testing
Purpose and Context
We take a pragmatic approach to standardized testing at Catherine Cook. Standardized tests are an important part of the high school admission process, and we focus on helping students prepare to show what they know and to approach testing strategically and with confidence. Test-taking skills are also life skills, as tests can be an important factor in creating future options in school and in life.
Throughout Middle School, we keep standardized testing in perspective. Standardized tests are not a direct measure of the curriculum at Catherine Cook, nor are they the only measure used by the many high schools to which our students matriculate. They are one piece of important data among many.
Doing well in our challenging Middle School curriculum is the best preparation for building the skills and knowledge needed to perform well on standardized tests. We target specific instruction each year toward building test-taking skills. We also review results as grade level teams and use what we learn to inform instruction.
Testing Details
Fall: CTP (Comprehensive Testing Program) for 6th and 7th Grades
Spring: Stanford Achievement Test for 5th, 6th, and 7th Grades
The public high school landscape in Chicago is dynamic. Catherine Cook stays attuned to changes in testing practices and disseminates information to families as needed.
Families engaged in the high school admission process may contact Eddie Pryce, High School Placement Director and Alumni Liaison, at epryce@ccookschool.org with questions.