About 9th Grade

9th Grade is a whole different ball game than middle school. Your child is exposed to more challenging school work and will have a lot to balance on their plate. Preparing for their future starts today. Just as previously mentioned, the classes that they take matter. If your child was able to take more advanced classes in middle school, talk to counselors if they can qualify for the Distinguished Level Plan. This plan includes taking more classes but results in benefits in the long run. Freshman year is also a great time to begin college planning. Keeping track of your child’s involvements and accomplishments will help later on when your student applies for jobs, scholarships, and colleges. Unlike middle school, the grades they make in high school start to matter. A high GPA increases their chances of getting academic-based scholarships in college. Involvement in sports and other extracurricular activities is also a great way to earn scholarships and increase their chances of getting accepted into multiple colleges. Talk to your children about the finances of college. Make a plan about which college you can afford. But also set dream schools that your kid is willing to work hard for. College can be affordable, but it requires a lot of planning and effort. Check out our glossary page for more information