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2025 Spring Keystone Exams: Important Information for High School Families

All students are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to take the Keystone Exams in the areas of Algebra, Literature, and Biology for the purposes of federal accountability. These exams are end-of-course tests designed to measure proficiency on state standards in three content areas. Please reference PDE’s Pathways to Graduation for more information.

Students identified to take one, two, or three Keystone Exams during the 2025 spring Keystone Test Window may be included for any of the following reasons:

  1. Your student is currently enrolled in a Keystone “trigger” course(s) (Algebra I, Biology, and/or English 10).
  2. Your student did not achieve proficiency on a prior Keystone exam(s) or did not provide confirmation of a proficient score from a previous school district.
  3. New enrollment records indicate that your student took one of the Keystone “trigger” courses in a Pennsylvania public or private school during the 2024-2025 school year, or a previous school year, and has not yet taken the exam(s), or did not provide confirmation of a proficient score.
  4. New enrollment records indicate that your student took a similar Keystone “trigger” course from an out-of-state school during the 2024-2025 school year, or a previous school year, and has not yet taken the exam(s).

When will the Keystone Exams occur?

Keystone testing will take place at Manheim Township High School. Each exam consists of two modules.

  • Literature - May 13-14, 2025
  • Biology - May 15-16, 2025
  • Alegra I - May 19-20, 2025
  • Make-ups - May 21, 2025

Where do students report for testing?

Testing for all exams will occur in assigned classrooms beginning promptly at 7:45 a.m.

What is the daily schedule for students who are testing?

Students who are testing will report to school at the “regular” time on all testing days and will go directly to their assigned testing location. Testing locations will be posted on Thursday, May 8th. Testing will begin promptly at 7:45 a.m. in assigned classrooms. When the testing session is finished, students will follow their regular schedule, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Can my student opt-out of testing?

Parents/Guardians do have the right to opt their student(s) out of taking the Keystone exams.
Under Chapter 4 of Title 22 of the Pa. Code, the only basis for a parent/guardian to excuse their student from the statewide assessments is if they find the Keystone exam to conflict with their religious beliefs. Parents who wish to opt their student out of the Keystone exams must follow these steps:

  1. First, parents/guardians must review the test materials and sign a confidentiality agreement. Contact Mrs. Laura Rakoczy, HS Assistant Principal, at rakoczla@mtwp.net or 717-560-3097 to schedule a review of the test(s) from April 30 to May 7, 2025.
  2. After reviewing materials, write a letter to the attention of Dr. Dale Reimann, MTSD Acting Superintendent, and include the student’s full name, building, grade level, and scheduled Keystone subject(s) the parent/guardian would like to opt their student out of. You will submit this letter via email or drop the letter off at the High School for Mrs. Laura Rakoczy, HS Assistant Principal at rakoczla@mtwp.net or 717-560-3097.
  3. The request must state that the parent/guardian does not want their student tested because the test conflicts with their religious beliefs; and,
  4. Include a parent/guardian signature, address, email, and telephone number.
  5. These requests are due by Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Where does my MTVA student report for testing?

Manheim Township Virtual Academy (MTVA) students should report to school at the time communicated by the building principal. These students will be given a testing time and assigned to a testing location. Manheim Township Virtual Academy students will be dismissed after testing. Please ensure that your student has transportation arrangements for when the testing is complete for the day.

Important reminders for testing

  1. Students must arrive on time.
  2. The exams will be taken on the students’ iPads. Students will need to bring their iPad fully charged on all testing days. Students should also bring their chargers, just in case they need to charge them at school.
  3. All students are permitted as much time as they need to complete each module.
  4. Students may choose to bring their own calculator (the calculator must be “cleared” before the testing session begins).
  5. Possession of other electronic devices (cell phones, smart watches, etc.) could result in tests being invalidated. If any test material is compromised, students/families could be held responsible for the cost of replacing compromised test items.

How can my child prepare for the Keystone Exams?

  1. Encourage your child to take time to review the Pennsylvania Online Assessment links available for the Keystone Exams. Public access is available at the following URL to review all state assessments, Keystone Exams, PSSA, and CDTs: https://wbte.drcedirect.com/PA/portals/pa.
  2. Students already have the DRC Insight application available on their iPads; look for a dark blue icon with a white circle ‘DRC INSIGHT’. The application serves as both the training and testing site.
  3. To access both training areas, click on the actual words ‘Online Tools Training’ below the icon and the DRC INSIGHT Online Assessments Tutorials highlighted below Online Tools Training in yellow. Additional helpful information about online tools is accessible in this Keystone Online Tools video.
  4. Both training links are paramount for a successful online testing experience.

If you or your student has any other questions or concerns about the Keystone Exams, please contact Ms. Laura Rakoczy, HS Assistant Principal, at rakoczla@mtwp.net or 717-560-3097.