Eagle Ridge Academy prides itself on providing a robust high school science program and sequence. ERA students graduate with a rigorous 4-year exploration of all areas of science including the required courses of chemistry, biology, physics, and additional coursework in forensics, anatomy, and several AP courses. This path will ensure students have a well-rounded understanding of their world from a scientific perspective.
Due to a long delay because of COVID, the new Minnesota Science Standards will officially be in effect for the 2024-2025 school year. As part of this change, students must complete one credit to satisfy all the earth and space science standards for grades 9-12, one credit to satisfy all the life science standards for grades 9-12, and one credit to satisfy all the chemistry or physics standards for grades 9-12.
As a K-12 school, Eagle Ridge has some flexibility in the presentation order of these standards to our students. This creates an amazing opportunity for our 8th grade students! Earth and Space concepts are best explained and understood with Physical Science concepts. Both sets of standards were integrated during this school year. This ultimately means that approximately 50% of the high school Earth and Space credits will be earned by successfully completing 8th grade science! As previously seen with the completion of Latin 2 in 8th grade, students receive high school credit. This credit will NOT affect their future high school GPA, however.
Much of the course curriculum outlined in 8th grade science will remain unchanged. This new integration, however, will allow students to explore Earth and Space Sciences more deeply. This will be positively affected by the innate School of Logic nature of curiosity and wonder about the world around them.
Understanding the value of integration in science, the remaining 50% of the Earth and Space science high school standards will be split and earned in chemistry and physics. This means that successfully passing chemistry and physics will add an additional .50 total of a credit due to the extra standards covered.
While this redistribution of credits will be unique to ERA, it will provide the best opportunity for our students to experience well beyond the 3-4 years of science credit most students are typically offered in traditional public schools. Our students will be afforded the opportunity to really explore their physical world in 8th grade with rigor and wonder while setting them up for success in the School of Rhetoric.
The proposed change in credits requires a vote from the Board of Directors. Prior to the May 28 Board meeting, Eagle Ridge Academy will hold a virtual Gryphon Conversation on Monday, May 13, 8:00-8:45 a.m. This will be an opportunity for parents to ask questions and provide feedback on the recommended change. You may join the Gryphon Conversation using this Zoom link. (Meeting ID: 814 5721 0656; Passcode: 231632)
The following change was proposed by the science department, reviewed by CISA, and presented to the Board on April 23:
- Beginning with the graduating class of 2028 (current 8th graders), students will receive .5 science credit in 8th grade science which satisfies high school earth and space requirements.
- The remaining .5 credit needed to satisfy earth and space requirements will be dispersed between biology and physics.
- The exact credit change will be presented to the Board in the 2024-2025 school year.