From March 16 to March 20, 2026, Calabasas High School students will take the CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) state assessments. The exam not only shows what students have learned throughout the year, but also acts as an important academic milestone.
According to information shared by Assistant Principal David Pickard on StudentSquare, “These assessments are an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning and for our school to better understand how we can continue supporting student success.”
During testing week, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will begin testing at 8:30 a.m. each day. Seniors will have a late start and were told to arrive on campus at 10:30 a.m. for their instructional day. For both 9th and 10th graders, Friday March 20th will also include a College and Career Center presentation in the PAEC and class activities in the gym.
Students across different grade levels shared mixed opinions about the importance and preparation for the exams. Sophomore Beverly Lagoy said she puts effort into the tests even though teachers do not always emphasize them.
“Yes, I do. I try as hard as I can,” Lagoy said. “It depends on the teacher. Sometimes they stress the importance, but in most classes they don’t.”
Lagoy added that she believes the tests can still benefit the school.
“I think it reflects on the whole school’s reputation and how well it’s doing,” she said. “It helps the school improve how they teach students.”
Junior Celine Bakhtiyari said she understands the importance of the assessments, but does not always give her full effort.
“I try a little bit, not probably my best,” said Bakhtiyari.
She added that although teachers mention the importance of the exams, she does not feel completely prepared.
“I feel like it’s very different than what we learn in class,” said Bakhtiyari.
Senior Sierra Silva, however, said she believes the tests are beneficial and approaches them seriously.
“Yes, I think it is beneficial because it helps the school go up in levels and it challenges your abilities,” Silva said.
Silva also said she feels prepared for the exam and that her classes have discussed the test.
Sophomore Charlotte Lowe shared a different perspective.
“I feel prepared,” Lowe said. “But I don’t think others share the same feeling.”
Lisa Lucore, a counselor at CHS, said the CAASPP exams are an important part of both individual and school achievement.
“I think it’s a marker of your overall achievement levels,” Lucore said. “It also puts us in a space where we are competitive with other schools, and colleges look at how well the school performs overall.”
Lucore added that students have been preparing for these types of assessments throughout their education.
“I heard teachers are giving benchmark exams. These are things that you’ve been doing since elementary school,” she said.
Lucore explained that CAASPP testing can influence how CHS is viewed academically compared to other schools.
“I think that it also puts us into a kind of space where we are competitive with other schools, so that when you apply for colleges, they look at context, they look at how well the school does overall,” Lucore added.
As testing week approaches, the tests will provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning while giving the school a chance to progress academically.
