MAP Testing
Students will begin MAP Testing Monday, August10.  The following information will help you better understand the schedule, scoring, and purpose for MAP.  If you have any questions, please contact us. 

What is MAP testing?
MAP® is an individualized, computerized test created by NWEA™ that kids take three times per school year (August, December, and March). The results provide teachers with information to help them deliver appropriate content for each student and determine each student’s academic growth over time.

When will my child be tested?
Kindergarten – eighth graders will be tested in reading on Monday, August 10 and math on Tuesday, August 11. Third – eighth graders will take the language test on Monday, August 17, while K5 – 2nd graders take the fluency test. Testing takes place for most students in their classrooms on laptops. Kindergarten and frist grade students take the tests in the computer lab. Any 3rd – 5th grader who scores below the 25th percentile in reading will also take the Fluency test.

How do teachers and schools use MAP data?
MAP helps schools and teachers know what your child is ready to learn at any point in time. Teachers can see the progress of individual students and of their class as a whole. Principals and administrators can see the progress of a grade level, school, or the entire district. Since students with similar MAP scores are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, it makes it easier for teachers to plan instruction. MAP also provides typical growth data for students who are in the same grade, subject, and have the same starting performance level. This data is often used to help students set goals and understand what they need to learn to achieve their goals.

What subjects are tested?
Students in K-2 will take reading, math, and reading fluency tests. Students in 3-8 grades will be tested in reading, language usage, and math. Fourth and sixth grades will be tested in science. For young learners, students wear headphones, since many questions include audio to assist those who are still learning to read.

What are typical MAP scores?
MAP scores begin around 140 for K5 up to 300 by high school.  Your child’s teacher can give you more specific scores during parent conferences. 
How do teachers record growth?
Students are given individual goals based on their previous MAP scores (in this case, those from last spring). We have found that individual goals allow students to see their personal growth and feel successful at their personal level.

How can my child prepare?
No preparation is needed, but a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast is recommended.  Please make sure your child charges their computer each night before testing and brings their charger with them. Students should arrive on time to school on testing days (August 10, 11, 17, & 18).  

​Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students


The Academy for Teaching and Learning admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs

Below you will find the reading plan for The Academy for Teaching and Learning. Please click below to see the strategy and goals for our school. 
 
Reading Plan

OVERVIEW

• The South Carolina Gifted and Talented Grade 2 Assessment is a statewide assessment used to identify student for district gifted and talented programs. Students are identified for this program by demonstrating high performance ability or potential in academic and/or artistic areas. 
• In accordance with State Board of Education 43-220, the South Carolina Department of Education provides aptitude and achievement assessments for this purpose. 
• Although the primary purpose of these assessments is to identify students for the gifted and talented program, the student results can be useful to teachers as they examine their instructional practices. These results can also help teachers identify teaching strategies for all students. 
• All students in Grade 2, including students with disabilities and multilingual learners (MLs), must be administered CogAT (the Cognitive Abilities Test) and the Iowa Assessments, except those students who qualify for the alternate test as determined by their IEPs. 

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TESTING WINDOW
The state testing window is October 6 - 28, 2025. 

Car line begins at the loop on Henry Woods Dr. For drop off and pick up, please enter College Street extension from Columbia Street and loop around in front of the building, turning right on Henry Woods Drive. Please turn right when leaving car line to avoid any issues with those still waiting. Most importantly, please be courteous of our neighbors and do not block their driveways at any time. 

If you are interested in enrolling a student in The Academy, please come by the office between 8:00 - 3:00 and fill out a registration form. It is helpful if you bring a birth certificate and social security card for the student(s) you are registering. Once you will out the registration form, office staff can give you information on waiting lists, as that varies by grade level.

Annual registration for Kindergarten is open for all students who will be 5 by September 1 of that year. Registration for kindergarten ends on February 28 each year. A lottery may be used to  determine your child's enrollment status based on the number of registrations we have. 
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Feel free to call our office at 803-385-6334 if you have any questions.