Standardized Testing

Elementary Standardized Testing

The Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools has adopted the i-Ready diagnostic testing platform, a key component of our personalized learning initiative.

i-Ready is an innovative online program designed for both reading and mathematics, empowering teachers to identify student growth opportunities, tailor learning experiences, and track progress throughout the academic year. By providing real-time data, i-Ready enhances our ability to support students' academic advancement. This diagnostic testing equips educators with the necessary tools to group students based on their instructional needs, facilitating effective differentiated instruction for each group.

i-Ready encompasses two essential components: the i-Ready Diagnostic and i-Ready Personalized Instruction. The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that customizes questions according to each student's needs. The test dynamically adjusts; for instance, if a student answers correctly, they will receive slightly more challenging questions, while incorrect answers lead to easier prompts.

i-Ready Personalized Instruction delivers lessons tailored to each student's skill level and areas for improvement, allowing learners to progress at their own pace.

We conduct diagnostic testing three times throughout the school year—September, January/February, and April/May—with immediate access to assessment data. Parents will receive reports after the second marking period and at the conclusion of the school year.

In addition to i-Ready, we have recently implemented the ARK (Assessment of Religious Knowledge) assessment for catechesis in our schools. This online assessment, administered to students in Grades 5, 8, and 11, is based on The Catechism of the Catholic Church and aligns with leading Catholic religion textbooks. It serves as a comprehensive tool to measure students’ religious knowledge and beliefs.

On average, our students exceed the performance of 59% of their peers nationwide on this assessment, with an anticipated annual increase in performance of 2% to 8%.

Note: St. Theresa School administers the IOWA Assessment in place of i-Ready diagnostic testing.

Secondary School Testing

Standardized testing increases the accountability of schools and the students they serve. Various forms of ongoing assessment help to inform instruction and ensure that students can attend and succeed at the college of their choice.

PSAT tests are administered to students in our Diocesan Secondary Schools during Sophomore and Junior year. Subsequently, students may elect to take the SAT or ACT exams according to their own schedule, as they prepare to enter college.

ARK, Assessment of Religious Knowledge, is the assessment for catechesis that was recently adopted in our schools. The ARK assessment, administered online to students in Grade 11, was developed from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and was aligned with all top Catholic religion textbooks. Schools use the test result data received from the ARK test to inform and improve religious instruction.

Advanced Placement Testing

Numerous AP (Advanced Placement) courses are offered in our secondary schools and students participate in the exams for these courses as indicated by the College Board each spring.

Contact Us To Learn More

The Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools provides a Catholic school education for students in Bridgeport, CT; Stamford, CT; Norwalk, CT; Danbury, CT; Stratford, CT; Newtown, CT; Trumbull, CT; Fairfield, CT; and Shelton, CT. If you’d like to learn more about all we have to offer, please get in touch with us at your earliest convenience.