To meet the needs of budding scientists, Minnetonka offers both honors level science and an innovative Accelerated Science sequence.
QUALIFYING PLACEMENT CRITERIA FOR HONORS SCIENCE 7 or 8
The Honors Science course is offered in 7th and 8th grade. It provides highly motivated and knowledgeable students with a science experience built on complex activities and assignments, in-depth conversations with peers and teachers, rigorous content and high expectations.
QUALIFYING PLACEMENT CRITERIA FOR ACCELERATED SCIENCE
Our Accelerated Science Sequence is a three-year program. It begins in sixth grade and is targeted to meet the distinct needs of the top five percent of science students. This profile of student has an advanced level of content knowledge, is innately curious and passionate about science, and is able to quickly comprehend and apply science concepts. To hone these unique skills, our Accelerated Science sequence will cover three years of middle school science curriculum (physical, life, earth) in two years by compacting the essential concepts from each core content area. The curriculum will focus on inquiry and project-based learning and will include an introduction to chemistry and physics (matter, elements, compounds, energy, waves, forces, motion), cell biology, living organisms, ecology, earth composition and structure, earth hydrosphere and atmosphere and the solar system.
After completing the first two years of the Accelerated Science sequence, students will take an innovative Applied Physics and Chemistry course during their eighth grade year. This course will emphasize research and experimentation methodology through open and guided inquiry. The curriculum will focus on the essential content and skills that form the foundation for high school AP Physics and AP Chemistry.
Accelerated Science Course
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criteria
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Accelerated Science 6 |
Historically, approximately 10-12% of sixth graders are placed in Accelerated Science.
- Students must score at or above 95 percentile on spring of 5th grade NWEA Science Assessment or exceptional performance on the 5th grade MCA Science assessment, and at or above 95th percentile on recent NWEA Reading and Math assessments.
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Accelerated Science 7 (Life Science) |
- Successful completion of Accelerated Science 6
- Or 99th percentile on Spring of 6th grade NWEA Science Assessment and exceptional performance in Science 6, and 95th percentile on recent NWEA Reading and Math assessments.
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Accelerated Science 8 (Applied Physics and Chemistry) |
- Successful completion of Accelerated Science 7
- Or exceptional performance in Science 7 and 99th percentile on spring of 7th grade NWEA Science assessment, and 95th percentile on recent NWEA Reading and Math assessments.
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honors science Course
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Criteria
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Honors Science 7 (Life Science) |
Successful completion of Science 6, at or above the 90th percentile on the NWEA Science assessment, at or above the 90th percentile on NWEA Math and Reading. |
Honors Science 8 (Earth Science) |
Successful completion of Honors Science 7 or exceptional performance in Science 7, and 90th percentile on recent NWEA Science, Math and Reading assessments |