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
-Package of Expo Brand Markers to be left at the school

HISTORY / LITERATURE (KIM PARKINSON)

Books:
1. “The Pilgrim Hypothesis” by Timothy Ballard
2. “The Washington Hypothesis” by Timothy Ballard
3. “Little Men” by Louisa May Alcott
4. “Indian Captive” by Lois Lenski
5. “Abigail Adams” (The Sower Series) by Evelyn Witter
6. “Carry On, Mr. Bowditch” by Jean Lee Latham
7. “George Washington Carver” (The Sower Series) by David Collins
8. “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle
9. “The Great Turkey Walk” by Kathleen Karr
10. “Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass” by Fredrick Douglass
11. “Up From Slavery” by Booker T. Washington
12. “Perilous Road” by William O. Steele
13. “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse
14. “And There was Light: The Extraordinary Memoir of the Blind Hero of the French Resistance” by Jacques Lusseyran
15. “3 Against Hitler” by Rudie Wobbe & Jerry Borrowman
16. “Surviving Hitler” by Andrea Warren”
17. Timeline Book

Read-a-louds:
(optional purchase if your student would like to follow along in class)

8. “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” by Elizabeth George Speare
9. “Amos Fortune” by Elizabeth Yates

Supplies:
1. Student Planner
2. 1 1⁄2 inch three ring binder with dividers and filler paper
3. Colored Pencils
4. Composition Notebook

LANGUAGE ARTS (KERI TIBBETS)

Books:
1. “The Prince and the Pauper” by Mark Twain

Supplies:
1. Two composition notebooks per semester

LEADERSHIP (KIM DAVIS):

Books:
1. The Book of Mormon
2. “Armed with Righteousness” by Steven Cramer
3. Optional read: “Like Dragons Did They Fight” by Maurice Harker

Supplies:
1. Notebook or Journal (no spiral bound notebooks please)

SCIENCE (TARA WHITLEY)

Supplies:
1. A section in a 3 ring binder with filler paper for Science class

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

MATH 6 (GRACE TIBBETS):
1. Horizons 6th Grade Math Student Book 1 (semester one) (Lifepac)
2. Section in a 3-ring binder for Math and filler paper
3. Mechanical pencils

MATH 7 (MR. E):
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 fine)
5. Lined filler paper (NO spiral notebooks please)
6. Graph paper
7. Mechanical pencils
8. 100 pack 3x5 Index Cards

ALGEBRA 2 / TRIGANOMETRY (JULIA ANDERSON):
1. 3x5 Index Cards
2. 3 ring binder with filler paper (NO spiral notebooks please)
3. Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS Scientific Calculator