Welcome to the Ninth Grade Academy!

The 9th grade academy was designed in 2005 to help freshmen adapt to high school life academically and socially. We started with 9th grade teams, each with approximately 130 students. Each student on the team would have the same English, History, Science, and Connections teachers. The team teachers met every other day during a common planning time to discuss curriculum and student progress. The pilot year of the 9th grade initiative went extremely well and data showed an increase in GPA, a decrease in ineligibility, and a decrease in the number of suspensions.

PURPOSE and RATIONALE

9th graders have always experienced a kind of culture shock when entering high school. Socially, instead of being "king of the mountain," they are suddenly back to being "bottom-feeders." In addition to this, there is an emphasis on academic rigor in high school that is not as strongly felt in middle school. These issues can lead to poor academic achievement and behavior and disciplinary problems. Because Blair is such a large school, 9th graders tend to get lost amongst the thousands of other students here.

Research shows that creating smaller learning communities has a positive effect on student achievement, attendance, discipline, and general satisfaction with school. The interdisciplinary 9th grade teams help students create belief systems that provide consistent behaviors and attitudes necessary for success. Students who take the 9th grade elective, "Connections," learn study skills and habits of mind that help them transition to high school and achieve their academic goals.