Assessments

North Hills School District students take state-required Pennsylvania System of School Assessments and Keystone Exams.

Pennsylvania System School Assessment (PSSA)
Keystone Exams

Pennsylvania System School Assessment (PSSA)

The annual Pennsylvania System School Assessment (PSSA) is a standards-based assessment which provides an understanding of student and school performance. Every Pennsylvania student in grades 3 through 8 is assessed in English Language Arts and Math. Every Pennsylvania student in grades 5 and 8 is assessed in Science.

Individual student scores, provided only to the student’s school, can be used to assist teachers in identifying students who may be in need of additional educational opportunities. School scores provide information for curriculum and instruction improvement discussions and planning.

2026

Grades 3-5

ELA: April 20, 21 & 22 (Grades 3-5)
Math: April 27 & 28 (Grades 3-5)
Science: April 29 & 30 (Grade 5 only)
Make-Up Days: May 1-8 (Grades 3-5)

Grades 6-8

ELA: April 20, 21 & 23 (Grades 6-8)
Math: April 27 & 28 (Grades 6-8)
Science: April 30 & May 1 (Grade 8 only)

Make-Up and Virtual Learning Testing Days (Grades 6-8)

ELA: April 24 at 8 a.m., May 4-8 at 8 a.m.
Math: May 4-8 at 8 a.m.
Science: May 4-8 at 8 a.m.

Links & Resources

Cell Phone/Electronics Policy

Calculator Policy

PSSA FAQs

Opting Out

Pennsylvania requires all students to take the PSSAs. However, a parent/guardian may excuse their child(ren) for religious reasons. For more information, please click the link below.

Opt-Out Letter

Keystone Exams

Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to evaluate proficiency in Algebra I, Biology and Grade 10 Literature, and make up one component of Pennsylvania's statewide high school graduation requirements.

All high school and middle school students enrolled in Algebra I, Biology and Grade 10 Literature will take the Keystone Exam for that course at the end of the school year.

Keystone Exam scores help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards.

2026

North Hills High School will administer Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology from Tuesday, May 12 through Friday, May 15, 2026. During this time, the high school will operate on a modified schedule.

Students scheduled for a Keystone Exam should report to school at 7:20 a.m. on the day of their assigned test. All others have two options:

Arrive by 9:40 a.m. at the start of homeroom (drive or carpool)
Arrive at regular time and report to a supervised study hall in the cafeteria until homeroom begins at 9:40 a.m.

All buses will run as normal. Complete details are available here.

All North Hills Middle School enrolled in Algebra I will take the Algebra 1 Keystone Exam on May 13 and May 14, 2026. There is no modified schedule at the middle school.

Required Notices & Disclosures

PSSA, Keystone Exam, PASA Test Booklets

PSSA, Keystone Exam, PASA Test Booklets

PSSA, Keystone Exam, and PASA test booklets will be destroyed one year after student reports are delivered for the administration associated with the test booklets. PSSA and Keystone Exam answer booklets and PASA media recordings will be destroyed three years after completion of the assessment. For more information, please contact the Assistant Superintendent at 412-318-1017.