9th Grade Academic Planning

 


As you use this information, keep in mind not just the first year of your involvement at Hanover High School but also future years. In order to help you do this, we are asking you to project ahead so that you may see, at least in part, how your four-year educational program will look. Do not attempt to do this task alone. Rather, discuss courses with your parents and with older brothers and sisters or friends who have attended Hanover High School; if you are an entering ninth grade from the Richmond School, teachers there can help you. The more information you can obtain from knowledgeable people, the better program you will be able to develop.


Even though Hanover High School offers a wide variety of choices for students, we believe that it is important for a student to gain a wide range of knowledge about the teaching staff, the various departments and their offerings, the several resource centers in the school and how they are to be used. Therefore, most ninth graders are scheduled into a structured program. You will note below that in your ninth-grade year you have a rather limited number of choices. These choices are structured so that next year, when you move into the elective program, you will have a base of knowledge about the resources in the school. View your ninth grade year here at HHS as an exploratory year—a year to develop criteria for making wise choices.


TYPICAL NINTH GRADE PROGRAM

Many of the major courses ninth graders take are either required or strongly recommended. A typical ninth grade program is outlined below with possible alternatives noted.

  • English: All ninth graders are required to take English 9.
  • Math: Most ninth graders would choose among Math Essentials, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, and Geometry Honors after seeking advice of their 8th grade math teachers. More advanced math courses are possible if present math teachers so advise. A math placement test is required of all students.
  • Science: Ninth graders who plan to take Algebra I are permitted to take Methods in Science, but may find the course mathematically challenging. The recommended course for ninth graders who enroll in Geometry is Methods in Science. Ninth graders who will be taking a Pre-Algebra math course are advised to enroll in Physical Science. Biology Honors may be taken by ninth graders if they receive high scores on both the Math and Science placement tests, as well as a recommendation from their current teachers.
  • Social Studies: All ninth graders are required to take Civitas and Civilization.
  • Physical Education: Required for all ninth graders.
  • Computer Literacy:  Digital portfolios that illustrate proficiency in new and evolving technology skills or a computer science will be required for graduation. Students may not be able to complete this requirement in their ninth grade year, but should include it in their four-year plan.
  •  Keep in mind that you will need a total of 1 (one) credit in the Fine and Practical Arts (l/2 credit must be in Fine Arts) during four years of high school.
  •  Students must understand that there are only 7 periods in the day in which to take courses and, therefore, should select no more than 7 courses including Physical Education. Many students choose to take 6. If a parent and student feel that a regularly scheduled lunch hour is important to a student’s day, a lunch hour can be scheduled periods 4 through 6.

FINALIZING YOUR PROGRAM

  1. Fill out the Course Advising Sheet.
  2. Secure any necessary teacher approvals as indicated in the department overview.
  3. Secure your parents’ approval.
  4. Enter the course code numbers of your selections on the registration form.
  5. Turn in the completed registration form and advising sheet to the Guidance Office.