Student’s Name _________________________ Current School_________________________ 9th Grade Science Challenge Test Procedure

Dear Students, Parents and Teachers,

Once again Ponderosa High School will be offering a Challenge Test for 8^th grade students to show their mastery of Physical and Earth Science. Students who have the appropriate Math background, have already studied Physical and Earth Science and can show their mastery of the concepts are invited to enroll in Biology as a 9^th grader. The following steps need to be followed:

_____ 1. Download the El Dorado Union High School District course of Study/ State Standards for Physical/Earth Science from the Ponderosa web site (http://bruin.eduhsd.k12.ca.us). Be prepared to answer at least one question from each standard to demonstrate your knowledge.

_____ 2. Obtain your current Science teachers recommendation. The teacher should recommend you based on your study skills, work habits, ability to perform in Biology as a 9^th grader and ability to perform in Chemistry as a 10^th grader.

Teacher’s Recommendation ___________________________________ (signature)

_____ 3. Obtain your current Math teacher’s recommendation. In order to be in Biology as a 9^th grader, you will also need to be in Geometry. This will allow you to be in Algebra II when you take Chemistry as a 10^th grader.

Teacher’s Recommendation ___________________________________ (signature)

_____ 4. Explain your personal reasons for wanting to take the Challenge test. How does this fit in with your future plans? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____ 5. If you pass the challenge exam, what Science classes will you be taking at Ponderosa?

9^th grade – Biology

10^th grade – Chemistry

11^th grade - _________________ (we offer Physics, Physiology, AP Biology and

12^th grade - _________________ AP Environmental Science for 11^th and 12 graders)

_____ 6. Bring this completed form to the challenge test. It is your ticket in to the exam. Do not call the school, just show up on Friday February 23^rd or Tuesday February 27^th or Friday March 23, 2007 at Ponderosa High School, Room K2, after your school day is finished. The test should be finished in under 90 minutes.

_____ 7. Pass the test with 70% accuracy to be considered. Good Luck. See you in February.