Each student has a mentor assigned to him/her each year. Every month the student will meet with that mentor and they will discuss together the students’ progress, goals, and etc. This is an important time where valuable one-on-one discussion can take place.

Oral exams are the grand finale of each semester. At the end of each semester each student will stand up in front of a small selection of mentors, board members, and parents to deliver an oral exam that covers information that the student has learned throughout the entire semester. This exam includes a mixture of monologue where the student presents information and a Q&A where mentors, board members, and parents ask questions pertinent to that semester’s studies and the student gives his/her answers.

This is an opportunity for students to look back over all the material for the semester and pull out the principles that have most impacted their lives. Because of their deep preparation for this exam, we see students’ transformation in real time. No one–students, mentors, or parents–is the same after this experience. Students are encouraged to prepare both mentally and spiritually for their oral; it will reveal to them their true selves and their amazing potential! These exams are a reward and treat for everyone involved!

What are Oral Exams? An oral exam is an opportunity for each student to demonstrate their understanding in an presentation/Q and A format. Students will present and answer questions for approximately 45 minutes.

Are there regular classes during Oral Exam week? Regular classes are not held during oral exam week. Seminary classes WILL be held.

Who attends Oral Exams? Students will present to mentors, Ascend board members, and their parents/family.

What do I wear? Students should dress professionally. Sunday best is appropriate.

When do I come for orals? Sign ups for specific time slots will be available.

Other questions? Reach out to your student’s Leadership Mentor for specific details about their oral exam. Mentors will coach students on how best to prepare.

Basic Supplies
- Refillable Water Bottle
- Lunch Box
- Backpack
- 6” Fiskars scissors to be left at the school

LIBER (GORDON ECKERSLEY)
Books:

AMERICAN HISTORY
(We will read these in the order given)
1. “The Story of the World” by Susan Bauer (All four volumes. We read them in order)
2. “George Washington” by Norma Camp
3. “Abraham Lincoln” by David Collins
4. “George Washington Carver” by David Collins

LITERATURE
(We will read these in the order given)
1. “Johnny Tremain” by Ester Forbes
1. “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain
3. “Gideon’s Gift” by Karen Kingsley
4. “Across Five Aprils” by Irene Hunt
5. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

LEADERSHIP
(We will read these in the order given)
1. “People Skills” by Gordon Eckersley
2. “Turn the Page” by Chris Brady
3. “Failing Forward” by John Maxwell
4. “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews
5. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
6. “The Noticer Returns” by Andy Andrews

Supplies:
1. A large planner, bull size 8.5x11
2. Pens/Mechanical Pencils

LANGUAGE ARTS (GRACE TIBBETS)
(1st Semester)
GIRLS:
1. “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett
2. “Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery
BOYS:
1. “My Side of the Mountain” by Jean Craighead George
2. “Pinocchio” by Carlo Collodi
Supplies:
1. Composition Notebook
2. Mechanical Pencils

SCIENCE (TARA WHITLEY):
Supplies:
1. A section in a 3 ring binder with filler paper

MATH (See your student’s specific math class supplies)

Math 6 (Grace Tibbits)
1. Horizions 6th Grade Math Student Book 1 (semester one) (Lifepack)
2. Section in a 3-ring binder for math and filler paper
3. Mechanical pencils

Math 7 (Gordon Eckersley)
1. Fine tip Expo Dry Erase Markers
2. Section in a 3-ring binder for math and filler paper

Pre-Algebra / Algebra (Jennie Earl)
1. 3x5 Index Cards
2. 3 ring binder with filler paper (NO spiral notebooks please)
3. Calculator

Geometry (Shauntelle Anderson)
1. Geometry set with protractor, ruler, and compass (Locking compass preferred)
2. Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS Scientific Calculator
3. One 1 inch 3 ring binder exclusively for math
4. 5 tab dividers (homemade is fine)
5. Lined filler paper (NO spiral notebooks please)
6. Graph paper
7. Mechanical pencils
8. 100 pack 3x5 Index Cards

Algebra 2 (Julia Anderson)
1. 3x5 Index Cards
2. 3 ring binder with filler paper (NO spiral notebooks please)
3. Texas Instruments TI-3-XIIS Scientific Calculator