A Note on Ninth Grade
When asked, “Which grade is the most important?” many answers spring to mind.
Kindergarten makes sense–after all, that’s where children first learn to “do school.” And then there’s 11th grade, that notorious year where so many forces converge–AP testing, varsity sports, college decisions–to make juniors feel crushed under the weight of high-stakes pressures. There are other contenders too: third grade, where kids start reading to learn instead of learning to read; the first year of middle school with all its developmental challenges; and senior year, when students have to confront the real world.
But the actual answer? Ninth grade–and the research is clear.
Attendance, behavior, and course performance all take on increased significance for freshmen because those three factors are indicators of high school success. For many, ninth grade is the first time students feel an urgency about coursework, and they’re experiencing this urgency while undergoing dramatic shifts in their own growth. “Students entering high school—just at the time brains are in flux—still have the propensity to be impulsive and are prone to making mistakes,” reports Linda Stern, a Washington D.C.-based psychoanalyst.
Once teenagers hit ninth grade, they typically experience increased responsibility along with reduced supervision. So at the very moment students transition to high school, they simultaneously need more autonomy and more support. But the support must meet the students where they are so they can maintain agency without slipping through the cracks.
Clark Fork Prep faculty has spent a lot of time thinking about what our ninth graders need. Both the research and our own experience confirm that success comes with support. Sometimes that looks like small class sizes, and at other times, it might mean a dedicated work period to practice time management skills. As a small, independent, private high school, CFP is uniquely situated to be responsive to the changing needs of our students.
Parents and students can rest assured: we’re committed to making sure every CFP student is ready for the next chapter–because while ninth grade may be the most important grade, our most important role is supporting young people.
Learn More on the “Make Me Care About” Podcast
This episode features Jen Hatmaker in conversation with Krystal Payne, co-executive director at the network for college success. Jen and Krystal discuss ninth grade, and how it is the most powerful predictor of high school success, college success, and career success in the United States.
