Step it Up a Grade for Ninth Grade Registration

Moving from eighth grade to ninth grade is a big step, but a heads up never hurt right? Registration papers for soon to be ninth graders will be given out on February 25th. To go right along with registration, what is better than a look at the Utah Scholars college prep presentations?Recently in the SJHS science classes students were given a presentation about a college prep program called the Utah Scholar program. This program has a series of requirements that are only a few credits more than are required to graduate high school. The program has many benefits for completing the requirements some of these are, you receive a medallion to wear to your graduation, it is a requirement to qualify for the Regents scholarship, it saves money, looks good on college applications and prepares students for college.

Now, why would you give a presentation about college prep to eighth graders? It get students thinking ahead and gives them a view of the near future. It might even persuade them to consider going to college because, 66% of the jobs in Utah by the year 2020 will require some type of college education. Mr. Jackson, the eighth grade counselor, said, “Anything to help students is a positive thing.”

With that in mind let's take a look at the ninth grade classes. Most are familiar with a lot of them, but ones specifically offered to ninth graders are woodshop, teen living, seminary, and PE separate from seventh graders. But those are just electives. Required classes are math, both  world civilizations and geography- world civilizations and geography are half years and will alternate when the semester switches. For science, Biology is offered if you are in math honors. English is another required class. English honors is available via application.

And there you have it, 4.5 credits of required classes and 2.5 credits of electives. Ninth grade may seem intimidating, but it is not that different. Mrs. Distefano, the ninth grade counselor, said, “By the time [students] get to ninth grade they have more confidence, less anxiety and it's the mentality of ‘we own this place.’” Jumping from eighth grade to ninth grade may seem like a big step, but in reality it i not as bad as it seems. So here's your heads up!