Skip To Main Content

PSSAs and Keystones

PSSAs

Every Pennsylvania student in grades 3 through 8 is assessed in English Language Arts and Math.  Every Pennsylvania student in grades 4 and 8 is assessed in science.  Individual student scores, provided only to their respective schools, can be used to assist teachers in identifying students who may be in need of additional educational opportunities, and school scores provide information to schools and districts for curriculum and instruction improvement discussions and planning. 

Keystones

Keystone Exams are state-developed, end-of-course assessments in designated content areas.  Students must take the Keystone Exam at the end of each of the Keystone-assessed courses.  At the middle school, Algebra I is the only Keystone eligible course that is taught.  Students that are enrolled in Algebra I will take the Keystone at the end of the course.

Testing Dates

  • April 21-April 23 - English Language Arts (3 sessions)
  • April 27-April 28 - Math (2 sessions)
  • April 29-April 30 - 8th Grade Science (2 sessions)
  • May 4-May 8 - PSSA Makeups
  • May 11-May 12 - Keystone Testing (Algebra I)