Dear Parents/Guardians:

At GDS, we use the innovative MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® assessment to assess students' academic progress. This assessment is administered to students in kindergarten-ninth grade via school-issued Chromebooks. The results will determine students' instructional levels and measure academic growth throughout the school year (and from year to year) in Reading/Language, Math, and Science.

MAP Growth tests are unique in that they adapt to your student's level of learning. If your student answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This results in a detailed picture of what your student knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.

Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your student's learning, it's easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores that are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics and then plan instruction accordingly. MAP Growth also provides data on the typical growth for students in the same grade who are testing in the same subject and have the same starting achievement level. Educators consider MAP Growth as one of multiple data sources to help them think about how to be more responsive to learner needs. Teachers review these reports to plan academic instruction and provide insight to students through student conferences to assist them in setting educational goals and understand how much they need to learn to achieve their goals.

At the conclusion of the school year, a Map Growth Family Report explaining your student's growth data will be mailed to your home address. This report summarizes your student's academic growth over the school year and their end-of-the-year academic achievement level. We encourage you to click the buttons below to learn more about MAP Growth Testing and how to review your student's Map Growth Family Reports.

Unless your student is ill, we ask that you make all efforts for your student to be present and on time for each day of MAP testing.

The Fall 2022 testing dates are as follows:

  • Upper School students will test on Wednesday, August 24th, and Thursday, August 25th, according to the following schedule.

*Please discuss the importance of this test with your student. One of the many benefits of MAP Growth testing for Upper School students is that it can be used as an indicator to project scores on the ACT and SAT assessments.*

Wednesday, August 24th, from 8:15 am - 10:55 am
6th-9th Reading and Language

Thursday, August 25th, from 8:15 am - 10:55 am
6th-9th Math and 6th-8th Science

  • Lower School students will test Tuesday, August 30th, through Friday, September 2nd, according to the following schedule.

Tuesday, August 30th, from 8:15 am -10:00 am
K-1st Math and 2nd-5th Language

Wednesday, August 31st, from 8:15 am -10:00 am
4th-5th Math and K-3rd Reading

Thursday, September 1st, from 8:15 am -10:00 am
2nd-3rd Math and 4th-5th Science

Friday, September 2nd, from 8:15 am -10:00 am
3rd Science and 4th-5th Reading

For more information about the MAP Growth test, visit NWEA.org/Parent-Toolkit.
Yours in Education,



Amie Pitts
Head of School