Admissions Testing Procedures

Academic evaluation is a prerequisite for admissions for all Heritage students. The primary purpose for the testing is to provide the Headmistress, Guidance Counselor, and Admissions Committee information to aid in the assessment of academic readiness. This information is used in grade level placement for admitted students. Test scores are only one of many factors that will be considered for admitting a student. High scores do not guarantee admission. Report cards, transcripts, teacher evaluations, and references are all included in the assessment process. Heritage School provides a challenging curriculum and it is our desire to place students who apply in the best position for academic success.

Kindergarten—Applicant must be 5 by September 1st of school year for which he/she is applying. An assessment of the applicant’s readiness is required. The brief assessment is conducted by the Kindergarten teacher without the parent present in the room. The Kindergarten teacher will conduct an assessment of readiness and provide a written report to the admissions committee.

1st Grade -12th Grade— All new students may be required to take the OLSAT and/or Stanford Achievement Tests. If they have been at a public or private school the previous year, standardized testing (done within the previous academic year) may be substituted. PSAT and SAT scores for high school students may also be considered in the admission process.

A transcript is necessary for evaluation and placement for all students. If the student is transferring from another school, documentation including report cards and testing information should be forwarded. Homeschoolers must provide written documentation of course work that has been completed on the form provided by Heritage School. If there is any question about grade level entry, Math and Reading Stanford subtests will be administered in addition to the OLSAT. Heritage School reserves the right of grade-level placement appropriate for the student.

In the elementary grades a narration is sometimes part of the testing process. A grade-appropriate selection is read by the proctor, followed by the student’s giving an oral or written account of what they recall from the story. The proctor may write the student’s response for first grade applicants. In grades 7-12, students will respond in writing to an assigned topic.

The writing sample and the scored testing are placed in the student’s admission file to be reviewed by the HM, Guidance Counselor and admissions committee.

Additional testing: The HM (or Guidance Counselor) may deem it necessary that the applicant be tested using the Saxon math exit level test for the previous grade level to help predict success for the candidate. Such testing assists us in grade-appropriate placement for the potential Heritage School student.