This fall, Westminster introduced the Mindprint Assessment, a cognitive test for middle schoolers, giving students a clearer picture of how their brains work and how they learn best.

MindPrint testing measures several cognitive skills: complex reasoning, executive functions, memory, and processing speed. After taking the assessment, students receive a learner profile with a personalized learning plan. 

“MindPrint provides deep insight into how students learn best and where they need support,” 6th Grade Girls Grade Chair Susan McMillian says. Students can now understand their strengths and weaknesses, giving them strategies to help them with sections of the test where they struggled in. This information is provided to students, teachers, parents, and Grade Chairs. 

The idea was first initiated by Dean of Academics and Curriculum Jim Justice. He approached Middle School Math Teacher and Learning Strategist Danielle Cogbill last spring, who looked into this test with the help of McCallie School. 

This test requires no preparation and an official grade for this assessment. The test takes approximately one hour, including two 5-minute breaks. This year, students took the MindPrint test during Community Time on November 19th, and results were available that same afternoon. 

In the future, the Middle School plans to have 6th-grade students take the test every year. Overall, the Mindprint Assessment ended successfully for both students and teachers. “It was a great way to test our mind abilities,” 6th Grader Evelyn Stewart says.