Ninth grade

Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 14 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday is. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school, or the last year of middle school. In America, it is often called Freshman year. In Australia it is the third year of secondary school (high school) for students, though because Australian schools commence school after kindergarten with a "preparatory year" and then start grade one the following year, 'ninth grade' is actually the students' tenth year at school. Thus Australian students are at primary and high school for thirteen years in total. Then in New Zealand, England and parts of Canada, ninth grade is generally the second year of high school for students.

Australia

In Australian state, secondary school (sometimes referred to as high school) starts in Grade 8 for Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, grade 7 for Victoria and New South Wales.

Canada

In Canada, grades 1 through 6 is elementary school. Grades 7-9 is junior high school and grades 10-12 is high school

Graduating requirements in :

• 1 French
• 1 Physical Education & Health
• 1 Canadian Geography
• 1 Canadian History
• 1 The Arts (Optional between drama, art, or music)
• 0.5 Civics
• 0.5 Careers
• 2 Science
• 3 Math
• 4 English
• 1 additional credit (group 1): additional credit in English, or French as a second language,** or a Native language, or a classical or an international language, or social sciences and the humanities, or *Canadian and world studies, or guidance and career education, or cooperative education***
• 1 additional credit (group 2): additional credit in health and physical education, or the arts, or business studies, or French as a second language,** or cooperative education***
• 1 additional credit (group 3): additional credit in science (Grade 11 or 12), or technological education, or French as a second language,** or computer studies, or cooperative education***
• Plus 12 optional credits
• Plus a successful pass on the provincial literacy requirement

• A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELD) may be counted towards the 4 compulsory credits in English, but the fourth must be a credit earned for a Grade 12 compulsory English course.
  • In groups 1, 2, and 3, a maximum of 2 credits in French as a second language can count as compulsory credits, one from group 1 and one from either group 2 or group 3.
    • A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits.

†The 12 optional credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit courses.

Denmark

In Denmark, ninth grade is around the same thing as in Sweden. Afterwards, one can choose to go through tenth grade, but it is not required. The students are 15–16 years old.

Finland

In Finland, ninth grade is the last year of compulsory schooling. The students are usually 15 – 16 years old. Afterwards you can choose to go through tenth grade but it is not required. The meaning of tenth grade is to give an opportunity to improve your grades.

France

In France, the equivalent grade is the troisième or "3eme" and it is the final school year before high school. Like in many European countries, it is the last year of compulsory schooling. Students prepare to take the "Diplôme National du Brevet" (DNB) examination. This diploma is necessary to proceed on to high school.

Germany

In Germany, the equivalent grade is 9. Klasse.

India

In India, the ninth grade is the second last year of the secondary school. Students undergo and prepare for final secondary school examinations called the SSC Exam for two years i.e. grade 9 and 10 before getting into higher secondary i.e. grade 11 and 12 called the HSSC Exam.

Ireland

In Ireland, it is the Third Year or Tríú Bhlian of Secondary School (for 14–15 year olds) this is known as 3rd year. This year is the year students take the Junior Certificate or Teastas Sóisearach.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, Year 10 (or Form 4) is the equivalent of ninth grade, with students aged 14–15. It is the second year of secondary school (sometimes referred to as high school).

Mexico

In Mexico, ninth grade is the last year of middle school. The students are aged 14–15.

Philippines

In the Philippines, the K+12 program replaced the basic education curriculum. Instead of having Grade 1 to Grade 6 then 1st year High School to 4th year High School, it will have Grade 1 to Grade 12 which is similar to the countries listed here. But in its old curriculum, ninth grade is also called 3rd year, wherein the students of this particular level are called Juniors.

Portugal

In Portugal, the ninth grade (nono ano, 9º ano) is the last year of the three-year 3º Ciclo do Ensino Básico that also includes the seventh grade and the eighth grade. It is followed by the tenth grade, the first year of the three-year Ensino Secundário. At the end of the ninth grade, students must take national final exams (Provas finais nacionais).

Scotland

In Scotland, this is third year (or S3) of secondary school.

Sweden

In Sweden, ninth grade is the last year of compulsory comprehensive school (elementary school). The students are usually between 14 and 16 years old. This grade is where students get their final grades with which they apply to the next step in the Swedish school-system. That makes ninth grade an important grade for most students.

United Kingdom (excluding Scotland)

In British schools, 9th grade (in terms of age requirements) is equivalent to year 10 (called Year 11 in Northern Ireland), the fourth year of comprehensive/high/grammar school. However, students in the UK start secondary school at the age of 11, and finish at the end of the academic year (September 1 – 31 August) in which their 16th birthday falls when they sit GCSE exams. Non-compulsory further education continues where students can choose to remain at school or attend a sixth form college or further education college to take AS levels and A levels or follow vocational courses. From 2011, the current Year 9 (Eighth grade) and below, have to stay in education until they are 17, by doing at least one year post-secondary education. Students are age 13/14 in this grade.

United States

In the United States, ninth grade is usually the first year in high school (called "upper secondary school" in other countries). In this system, ninth graders are also often referred to as freshmen. It can also be the last year of junior high school.

In the mathematics curriculum, ninth graders are usually taught Algebra (known as Integrated Algebra in some parts of the country), an Honors Algebra course, or Geometry. Most students usually take Pre-Algebra in their last year of middle school. Advanced courses (such as Geometry in the US) are usually available to ninth graders who are prepared for a more rigorous curriculum, depending on the school district. In some cases, the upcoming tenth graders will take Algebra II. Some districts across the country allow their 10th graders to take Trigonometry or AP Statistics, or even Calculus if the district provides. In 8th grade, average(academic) students will have Algebra topics A. Basic students will be taught the same thing as the average students, but with an extra teacher. Honors students will have Algebra 1 in 8th grade.

In the English curriculum, ninth graders are taught the fundamentals of Literature and touches the fundamentals of speech and debate. They may also read Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare as it correlates with current teenage life and issues.

In the social studies curriculum, ninth graders are typically taught geography, government, and history. In most areas, students are open to taking more advanced history courses like world history or U.S. history with the consent of the pupil's previous social studies teacher.

In the science curriculum, ninth grade students are required, in most areas, to take earth science, or biology. Physical science may be taught as well in some schools. It is often a pre-requisite for most other lab sciences available at the high school level, and is often a requirement for graduation. In some cases, the upcoming ninth grader may choose to take the tenth grade course. Chemistry can also be taken in 9th grade, depending on the district. In some localities, a health class can also be taken for half of the year, and PE is replaced.

See also

• Educational stage
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade
• Fourth Grade
• Fifth Grade
• Sixth Grade
• Seventh Grade
• Eighth Grade
• Tenth Grade
• Eleventh Grade
• Twelfth Grade
• University

Notes

Preceded by Eighth grade

Ninth Grade age 14–15

Succeeded by Tenth grade