9th Grade

planning calendar

Dear freshmen,

What comes to mind when you think about starting high school? It may seem exciting, or a bit scary, or a combination of the two. One thing’s for sure: it will bring a lot of changes. You are part of a new community now, and your school counselor, teachers, administrators (principals, assistant principals) and other school staff are here to help as you explore this exciting new world!  

More CLasses

More classes

One of the biggest changes you’ll notice is your classes. The subjects will be more advanced.  There may be more homework, more tests and more projects to do. In high school, you’ll have to think harder and work harder.  High school also brings new pressures.  There’s academic pressure, because the grades you get will affect what colleges or other programs you can get into after high school.


Pressure

Pressure

There are other pressures, too. There might be pressure to fit in with a certain group of people, or peer pressure: people trying to get you to do things that may not be in your best interest and could get you into trouble. At times it will be hard to do what you think is right, or even to decide what is right. High school is full of challenges, but it will also open up many new possibilities for you! 


New Friends

New Friends

Your classes will be more challenging, but you’ll be able to make choices based on your interests. You may discover a favorite subject. The classes you take may lead you to a job or career path. You’ll meet a lot of new people in high school, and have the opportunity to make new friends. Some of the people you meet may become an important part of your life. 



New Opportunities

New Opportunities

You can also pursue some of your favorite interests and activities in high school; there are many different clubs and organizations you can join, or you can try out for sports. Your high school years will also be a time when you start to become more independent. You’ll have more freedom, and also more responsibilities.

In this guide, you will learn how things work in high school – everything from how credits are earned and what tests you will be taking, to how to make friends and how to study. You will get a better idea of what to expect and how to plan for success in high school and beyond.