Assessment in St. Vrain Valley Schools
St. Vrain Valley Schools utilizes assessment data and additional data resources to identify ways to improve student achievement. The goal is to provide rich learning opportunities that engage students and prepare them for success in the 21st century.
Detailed information about Colorado’s assessment program can be found on the Colorado Department of Education Assessment page.
Definitions:
ACCESS for ELs is a large-scale English language proficiency assessment given annually to kindergarten through 12th graders who have been identified as English Learners (EL). It provides educators and parents with information about the English language proficiency level in the language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) includes assessments for English language arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies.
CoAlt is an alternative test in science and social studies for special education students who are working toward alternate standards.
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment program is designed to measure what students with significant cognitive disabilities know and can do in ELA and math.
SAT is a college entrance exam.
PSAT is a college readiness test with sections in reading/writing and math.
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) is the PSAT qualifying test for the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Approximately 1.6 million high school students enter the program each year.
DIBELS 8th (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of literacy skills.
iReady is an adaptive diagnostic assessment that pinpoints students’ needs down to the sub-skill level in math and reading.
DRDP-K is a child observation assessment that supports teachers in observing, documenting, and reflecting on children’s learning, development and progress during the transitional kindergarten and kindergarten years.
Elementary School Assessment Schedule 2025-2026
ACCESS for ELLs (1-12): January 20 – 23, 2026 (Reading and Listening must be first)
Full Window: January 12 – February 13, 2026
CMAS:
April 6 – 24, 2026 (official state window)
ELA & Math – Grades 3-8
Science – Grade 5,8,11
CoAlt DLM (ELA/Math) Grades 3-11 and CoAlt (Science) – Grades 5,8,11
ELEMENTARY:
Grades 3-5: Unit Times (do not include time to log in and read directions):
ELA Units 1, 2, 3 – 90 minutes each
Math Units 1, 2, 3 – 65 minutes each
Science (gr. 5) Units 1, 2, 3 – 80 minutes each/Social Studies (Gr.4) Unit 1 – 65 minutes
| 4/6 No Testing | 4/7 Unit 1 Math – 3rd – 5th | 4/8 Unit 2 Math – 3rd – 5th | 4/9 Unit 3 Math – 3rd – 5th | 4/10 Unit 1 ELA – 3rd – 5th |
| 4/13 Unit 2 ELA – 3rd – 5th | 4/14 Unit 3 ELA – 3rd – 5th | 4/15 Unit 1 Science-5th SS* – 4th | 4/16 Unit 2 Science -5th | 4/17 Unit 3 Science -5th |
4/20 Makeups | 4/21 Makeups | 4/22 Makeups | 4/23 Makeups | 4/24 Makeups – End of CMAS testing window |
Middle School Assessment Schedule 2025-2026
ACCESS for ELLs (1-12): January 20 – 23, 2026 (Reading and Listening must be first)
Full Window: January 12 – February 13, 2026
CMAS:
April 6 – April 24, 2026 (official state window)
ELA & Math – Grades 6-8
Science – Grade 8
CoAlt DLM (ELA/Math) and CoAlt (Science) – Grades 6-8
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
Grades 6-8: Unit Times (do not include time to log in and read directions):
ELA Units 1, 2, 3 – 110 minutes each
Math Units 1, 2, 3 – 65 minutes each
Science (gr. 8) Units 1, 2, 3 – 80 minutes each Social Studies (Gr.7) Unit 1 – 65 minutes
| 4/6 No Testing | 4/7 Unit 1 Math – 6th – 8th | 4/8 Unit 2 Math – 6th – 8th | 4/9 Unit 3 Math – 6th-8th | 4/10 Unit 1 ELA – 6th-8th |
4/13 Unit 2 ELA – 6th-8th | 4/14 Unit 3 ELA – 6th-8th | 4/15 Unit 1 Science – 8th SS* – 7th | 4/16 Unit 2 Science – 8th | 4/17 Unit 3 Science – 8th |
4/20 Makeups | 4/21 Makeups | 4/22 Makeups | 4/23 Makeups | 4/24 Makeups – End of CMAS testing window |
High School Assessment Schedule 2025-2026
11th Grade NMSQT: October 8, 2025
PSAT Practice Test for 9th and 10th grades, Asynchronous Learning Day
ACCESS for ELLs (1-12): January 20-23, 2026 (Reading and Listening must be first)
Full Window: January 12 – February 12, 2026
P/SAT Practice Tests: February 11, 2026
9th, 10th, & 11th grades, (Asynchronous Learning Day)
CMAS (DLM & COAlt): April 6, 2026 – April 24, 2026
Science 11 Primary Test Date: April 17, 2026 Science Unit 1 & 2 – 50 minutes each
Make-up Window until April 24, 2026
Grades 9 & 10 PSAT: (2 hours)
Primary Test Date: April 15, 2026
Make-up Window until April 24, 2026
Full Window: April 13 – 24, 2026
Grade 11 SAT: (2 hours)
Primary Test Date: April 14, 2026
Make-up Window until April 24, 2026
Full Window: April 13 – 24, 2026
AP Testing: (3 hours per exam)
Primary Window: May 4 – 15, 2026
4/13 P/SAT window begins | 4/14* SAT – 11th | 4/15* PSAT – 9th & 10th | 4/16 Makeups | 4/17 CMAS Unit 1 & 2 Science – 11th |
| 4/20 Makeups | 4/21 Makeups | 4/22 Makeups | 4/23 Makeups | 4/24 Makeups – End of testing window |
*April 14 and April 15 are asynchronous instructional days for only high school students – (only students testing attend school)