High School Freshman
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Ninth grade (also 9th grade or grade 9) is the ninth or tenth
year A year is a unit of time based on how long it takes the Earth to orbit the Sun. In scientific use, the tropical year (approximately 365 Synodic day, solar days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, 45 seconds) and the sidereal year (about 20 minutes longer) ...
of
formal Formal, formality, informal or informality imply the complying with, or not complying with, some set of requirements ( forms, in Ancient Greek). They may refer to: Dress code and events * Formal wear, attire for formal events * Semi-formal atti ...
or
compulsory education Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of all people and is imposed by the government. This education may take place at a registered school or at home or other places. Compulsory school attendance or compulsory sc ...
in some countries. It is generally part of
middle school Middle school, also known as intermediate school, junior high school, junior secondary school, or lower secondary school, is an educational stage between primary school and secondary school. Afghanistan In Afghanistan, middle school includes g ...
or
secondary school A secondary school, high school, or senior school, is an institution that provides secondary education. Some secondary schools provide both ''lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper secondary education'' (ages 14 to 18), i.e., b ...
depending on country. Students in ninth grade are usually 14–15 years old.


Afghanistan

In
Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...
, ninth grade is the third year of secondary school, which starts in seventh grade. Under the
2004 Constitution of Afghanistan The 2004 Constitution of Afghanistan was the supreme law of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, which lasted from 2004 to 2021. It served as the legal framework between the Afghan government and the Afghan citizens. Although Afghanistan ( Afghan ...
, education up to ninth grade (about age 15) was compulsory. In 2013, it was noted that students were generally gender-segregated by ninth grade, with female students taught by female teachers. In 2021, the
Taliban , leader1_title = Supreme Leader of Afghanistan, Supreme leaders , leader1_name = {{indented plainlist, * Mullah Omar{{Natural Causes{{nbsp(1994–2013) * Akhtar Mansour{{Assassinated (2015–2016) * Hibatullah Akhundzada (2016–present) ...
abolished the 2004 constitution and banned female students from attending secondary school. In March 2022, the Taliban announced that secondary schools would reopen for girls but closed them again very soon after.


Canada

In most of
Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
, Grade 9 is either the last year of junior high school or the first year of high school depending on province and students are typically about age 15. In
Quebec Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...
, however, Grade 9 is the middle year of its five-year high school program.


Denmark

In
Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
, grade 9 (around age 16, also called form level 9) is the final year of compulsory education, and grade 10 is optional. Public comprehensive schools up to grade 10 are called ''Folkeskole''. Grade 9 subjects include Danish, English, Christian studies, history, social studies, mathematics, geography, biology, physics/chemistry and German and French as electives. Students must sit compulsory school-leaving exams at the end of grade 9, and must also complete a mandatory project assignment during the year. After grade 9, students have the option of attending general or vocational upper secondary education for two or three years until they are around 19.


Finland

In
Finland Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, ...
, ninth grade is the last year of compulsory schooling. Students are generally aged around 16 when they finish 9th grade. They can then go on to attend vocational or academic high schools (generally for 3 years).


Germany

In
Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
, grade 9 (about age 15) is generally the last year of lower secondary school and the end of compulsory full-time education. Qualifications gained in this year will determine the student's eligibility for academic or vocational upper secondary school.


India

Class 9 (also known as 9th Grade) is the first year of
secondary education Secondary education is the education level following primary education and preceding tertiary education. Level 2 or ''lower secondary education'' (less commonly ''junior secondary education'') is considered the second and final phase of basic e ...
in many Indian school systems. It marks a transition from middle school to high school and is considered an important foundation year for the academic rigor and specialization that follows in Classes 10, 11, and 12.


Curriculum and Subjects

The Class 9 curriculum aims to strengthen students’ understanding of core subjects and prepare them for board examinations in Class 10. Typical subjects include: * Languages: Usually English and at least one regional or national language such as Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, etc. * Mathematics: Topics include algebra, geometry, number systems, mensuration, and statistics. * Science: Includes foundational concepts in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. * Social Studies: Covers History, Geography, and Civics. * Information Technology or Computer Science may be introduced. * Arts, Physical Education, and Work Education may also be part of the curriculum depending on the school and board. The syllabus may vary slightly between different education boards but generally aligns with national educational standards.


Examination System

Class 9 generally does not have a centralized board examination at the national or state level. Instead: * Students are assessed through periodic and term examinations conducted by their schools. * Internal assessments, projects, and assignments play a significant role in overall evaluation. * Performance in Class 9 is important as it contributes to the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system implemented by many boards, especially CBSE.


Boards of Education

Class 9 is offered under various education boards in India, including: * CBSE *
CISCE The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) is a non-governmental privately held national-level board of school education in India that conducts the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) Examination for Clas ...
* State Boards of Education Each board prescribes its own syllabus and examination pattern, though the overall structure and subjects remain consistent.


Importance and Preparation for Future Studies

Class 9 is important because: * It prepares students for the Class 10 board examinations, which are pivotal for their academic careers. * It introduces more complex and detailed subject matter compared to earlier years. * It serves as a foundation for choosing streams in Classes 11 and 12. * Performance in Class 9 can influence school recommendations and student confidence.


Compulsory Education Context

Under the Right to Education Act, 2009, education is compulsory for children aged 6 to 14. Class 9 generally includes students aged 13-14 and falls within this compulsory education period.


Kuwait

In
Kuwait Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait, is a country in West Asia and the geopolitical region known as the Middle East. It is situated in the northern edge of the Arabian Peninsula at the head of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to Iraq–Kuwait ...
, ninth grade is the last year of intermediate school and students are usually around 14 years old. At this level, the school district runs standardized tests at the end of the second and fourth quarters of the year, and students will be promoted to grade 10 (the first year of secondary school) if they achieve at least 50% in each subject. Under the
Constitution of Kuwait The Constitution of Kuwait (, ) was framed by the Constitutional Assembly in 1961–1962 and signed into law on 11 November 1962 by the Emir, the Commander of the Military of Kuwait Sheikh Abdullah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah. History In June 1961, ...
, all Kuwaitis are entitled to a free education until the end of secondary school, but a large percentage of the population is non-Kuwaiti and not covered by this requirement. There are also no legal rules preventing students from dropping out at age 15, after completing ninth grade.


Mexico

In Mexico, ninth grade is the last year of ''Educación Secundaria'' (lower secondary education). Schooling up to ninth grade became compulsory in 1992, although some areas (particularly rural and indigenous communities) still have low participation rates. It is the last year of basic education in Mexico, and students are generally aged 14–15. Students will either take an academic program (''secundaria general''), a vocational and technical program (''secundaria técnica'') or a distance program (''telesecundaria''). All programs include courses on Spanish, English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, history, civics, geography, arts, other languages and sometimes specialised subjects specific to local areas (for example, indigenous languages). , just over half of students were enrolled in ''secundaria general'', around 27% in ''secundaria técnica'', and the remainder in ''telesecundaria''. After completing ninth grade, students will be awarded a ''Certificado de Educación Secundaria''. No examinations are required to graduate.


Norway

In
Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of the Kingdom of ...
, ninth grade is the middle grade of lower secondary school, called ''ungdomsskole'' (ages 13 to 16). Education up to tenth grade is mandatory for Norwegian students, and courses must align with the national curriculum. Although students must take national standardised tests in numeracy and reading in ninth grade, the results do not affect progression to tenth grade or to admission to upper secondary school.


Pakistan

In Pakistan ninth grade is the first year of secondary education, which may be general (four years) or vocational (two years). Students are generally 14–15 years old. The country's constitution provides for free and compulsory education up to grade 10 (age 16), but in practice only around 30% of children attend high school. In all school grades, boys outnumber girls; in 2017, only 13% of Pakistani girls were still in school at ninth grade level. At a general school, students choose their subjects at the beginning of ninth grade and then sit
Secondary School Certificate Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) or Matriculation examination, is a public examination in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Maldives and Nepal conducted by educational boards for the successful completi ...
examinations in these subjects at the end of tenth grade. Students usually select eight subjects, including four or five compulsory subjects (typically English,
Urdu Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the Languages of Pakistan, national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of Indi ...
, mathematics, Islamic studies and Pakistan studies) and three electives. Generally the electives will be chosen from one of three different specialised streams: humanities (e.g. geography, economics), science (e.g. biology, chemistry) or technical subjects (e.g. engineering). Passing the exams allows entry into eleventh grade and upper secondary education. At a technical school, students typically obtain a vocational diploma after sitting exams at the end of tenth grade, in subjects including English, a Pakistani language, Islamic studies, physics, mathematics, technical drawing and theory, and practical training for their chosen profession. Some students, particularly those in rural areas, may attend religious Islamic schools (known as '' madrasahs'') which do not have standardised curricula. Some of these schools provide only religious education, while others may include subjects from the national curriculum and equivalent examinations. In 2020 it was announced that ''madrasahs'' would be required to adopt the national curriculum within four to five years.


Philippines

In the
Philippines The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...
, ninth grade was formerly known as third year () until it changed to ninth grade or junior year () on June 2, 2014, upon the start of school year 2014-2015 due to the 9-year implementation process of the
K-12 K-1 is a professional kickboxing promotion established in 1993 by karateka Kazuyoshi Ishii. Originally under the ownership of the Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG), K-1 was considered to be the largest Kickboxing organization in the world. ...
curriculum. Students at this level are usually 14-15 years old. Before the 2016/17 school year, secondary school covered grades 7 to 10 (high school) and was not compulsory. Due to the implementation process of the K-12, secondary education was extended to cover grades up to 12. Grades 7 to 10 are now junior high school and attendance at this level is free and compulsory. The subjects covered at junior high school level are the same as those covered at elementary school including Filipino, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Philippine history and culture, physical education and arts. Subjects are taught in English and Filipino, unlike earlier grades which may be taught in students' native or indigenous languages. Students can also start at the young age of 13.


Portugal

In Portugal, the ninth grade (''nono ano'', ''9º ano'') is the last year of the three-year lower secondary school program (). Students are generally around 14 years old. It is followed by the tenth grade, the first year of three-year upper secondary education (). School is free and compulsory in Portugal up to twelfth grade. At the end of the ninth grade, students must take national final exams (''Provas finais nacionais'').


Sweden

In Sweden, ninth grade (sometimes also called year 9) is the last year of the upper stage of compulsory education (), sometimes known as '' högstadium''. The students are usually 15–16 years old. At the end of ninth grade, students must sit national exams in Swedish, mathematics, English and sciences. After completing 9th grade, students can attend non-compulsory upper secondary school ('' gymnasium'') or take another form of education such as a vocational program. Entrance requirements differ depending on programme but generally students will need to have passed at least their Swedish, mathematics and English exams. Although not compulsory, most Swedish students continue to upper secondary school.


United States

In the United States, ninth grade is usually the first year in
high school A secondary school, high school, or senior school, is an institution that provides secondary education. Some secondary schools provide both ''lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper secondary education'' (ages 14 to 18), i.e., ...
. In this system, ninth graders are also often referred to as ''
freshmen A freshman, fresher, first year, or colloquially frosh, is a person in the first year at an educational institution, usually a secondary school or at the college and university level, but also in other forms of post-secondary school, post-se ...
''. It can also be the last year of junior high school depending on state. The average age for U.S. 9th grade students is 14 to 15 years old. The
University of Chicago The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, or UChi) is a Private university, private research university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Its main campus is in the Hyde Park, Chicago, Hyde Park neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, Chic ...
Consortium on School Research identified in 2017 that passing ninth grade courses is a predictor of high school graduation. In the math curriculum, ninth graders are usually taught algebra, however they may take geometry or more advanced algebra if they've taken algebra previously. Advanced courses are usually available to ninth graders who are prepared for a more rigorous curriculum, depending on the school district. In the English curriculum, most schools offer basic courses, advanced courses, and honors courses. The basic course for a ninth grader will often teach the fundamentals of higher-level literature and how to analyze and respond to such literature. More advanced courses may be offered depending on the school district and may focus on one type of literature, such as
American literature American literature is literature written or produced in the United States of America and in the British colonies that preceded it. The American literary tradition is part of the broader tradition of English-language literature, but also ...
or
British literature British literature is from the United Kingdom, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. This article covers British literature in the English language. Anglo-Saxon (Old English) literature ...
, and may be taken instead of or in addition to standard classes. Students may begin to study some of the works of
William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
, such as ''
Romeo and Juliet ''The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'', often shortened to ''Romeo and Juliet'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's ...
.'' In the social studies curriculum, there are a variety of different courses that may be offered depending on school district. For example students may take a geography class, a government class, or a world history class. In the science curriculum, ninth grade students are required, in most areas, to take biology. But they can take different courses before they take Biology such as Integrated Science.. Other forms of sciences such as basic physical science or earth sciences could also be part of the curriculum as well, depending on the school district. Typically, ninth-graders will be required to earn a minimum number of credits, usually six or seven carnegie units or roughly five classes per year depending on state, in order to advance to tenth grade. Some schools require community service.


See also

*
Educational stage Educational stages are subdivisions of formal learning, typically covering early childhood education, primary education, secondary education and tertiary education. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) re ...
*
Year 9 Year 9 is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England and Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is the tenth or eleventh year of compulsory education. Children in this year are generally between 13, 14 and 15, with it ...


References


Further reading

* *


External links


The Atlantic - Ninth Grade: The Most Important Year in High School (2013)

Gates Foundation - Why Is Ninth Grade a Critical Time for Students? (2017)
{{Authority control 9 Secondary education