Bayside School Services was a homeschool testing provider offering parent-administered CAT and CTBS tests for 34 years before closing their testing program, directing families to alternative testing services.
What are Bayside School Services?
Bayside School Services operated out of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, providing standardized testing to homeschool families from 1988 until recently closing their testing program after 34 years of service. Founded by Donny and Sandy Ball—themselves former homeschoolers—Bayside specialized in "do-it-yourself" testing, allowing parents to administer tests at home where state law permitted. They offered the CAT/6 TerraNova and CTBS TerraNova from publisher DRC CTB, with all-inclusive pricing that covered materials, shipping, scoring, and practice tests. The Bayside website remains accessible for limited services like late payments and diploma orders.
Key Takeaways
- Operated for 34 years before closing their standardized testing program
- Specialized in parent-administered testing for homeschool compliance
- Offered CAT/6 and CTBS TerraNova with year-round availability
- Families now need alternative testing providers for compliance needs
What Made Bayside Unique
Bayside's parent-administered model removed barriers that complicate testing for many homeschool families. Rather than finding approved testers or traveling to testing sites, families ordered materials year-round, administered tests at home, and returned completed tests for professional scoring. Pricing around $45-60 included everything—practice tests, shipping, handling, and scoring reports. The company's founding story as former homeschoolers gave them authentic understanding of family needs, and customers praised their "uncomplicated testing" approach, particularly for special needs students who benefited from familiar home environments.
Alternative Testing Providers
With Bayside no longer processing test orders, families need alternative providers. BJU Press Testing offers Iowa Assessments and Stanford 10 with online testing from home—no approved tester needed. Seton Testing Services provides similar options with over 30 years of experience. For the CAT/TerraNova specifically, Basic Skills Testing offers TerraNova 2 and 3 for grades K-12. Homeschool Boss provides NWEA MAP Growth testing with detailed diagnostic reports. Each provider has different pricing, test options, and administration requirements.
Current Testing Options Comparison
The Bottom Line
Bayside's closure marks the end of an era for a provider that understood homeschool families' needs firsthand. Fortunately, multiple alternatives exist offering similar or enhanced services. BJU Press and Seton Testing provide established options with Iowa and Stanford tests. If you specifically need CAT/TerraNova, Basic Skills Testing continues offering those assessments. Before selecting any provider, verify your state accepts the specific test on their approved list—some states maintain static lists that may not include all available assessments. The homeschool testing landscape has evolved significantly, with online administration now widely available.
