COVID-19 has intensified standardized testing stress for current juniors and seniors. (Freepik)

On Wednesday, September 23, over 150 of Academy’s upper class students sat  for the SAT. 

Although standardized tests are always stressful for some students, testing during a pandemic has posed new challenges. In the age of COVID-19, standardized testing became complicated: test sites packed with hundreds of students do not pair well with preventing the spread of the virus. So the mass cancellations of tests like the SAT and ACT have been common over the past six months. This uncertainty attached to testing itself has  added more anxiety for those of us looking to attend college next fall. 

As the seniors and juniors finally had the chance to sit down for a test, our student council’s representatives purchased individually-packaged Cheryl’s cookies for the students to enjoy after hours of testing. With the help of our upper school faculty and administration, the cookies were distributed on long tables so everyone could take a sweet without concern for cross-contamination. 

Students were respectful of social distancing guidelines and enjoyed their treats from six-foot distances. 

Wednesday’s SAT was a shining example of the Academy community coming together during these difficult, confusing times. If we continue to respect each other and our collective safety, we can look forward to continued normalcy—such as enjoying a cookie with friends—in the coming months.