8th-Grade Carlisle Informational Meeting
January 23, 2025
@ConcordCarlisleHS
@ConcordCarlisleHS
Presentation Available Online
Dr. Laurie Hunter, Superintendent
Brian Miller, Co-Principal
Katie Stahl, Co-Principal
Meghan Maines, Asst. Principal of Student Life
Darius Green, Asst. Principal of Teaching & Learning
Amy Geer, Special Education Administrator
Curriculum Night
at CCHS
January 30, 2025
Tours - 5:45pm
Presentation - 6:30pm
Agenda For This Evening
Katie Stahl
Your Student’s Path?
Transition
Ninth grade is an extremely challenging year for most high school students for a variety of developmental, social, and academic reasons.
Many high school students have difficulty in their ninth grade year as they leave their smaller, highly structured elementary or middle schools and enter large, comprehensive high schools.
New 9th-Grade Students
Brian Miller
Unique Challenges for All Students
According to research, [9th-grade] is considered the year in which both academic and behavioral problems manifest themselves in ways that can ultimately affect high school success and thus, a transition plan and support is critical for freshman students (Dedmond, Brown, & LaFauci, 2006)
Support
9th-Grade Academy
Enjoy High School
Happy
Well-Adjusted & Well-Prepared
Create a program to ensure success
for 9th-grade students
cc: Joanna Kosinska - https://unsplash.com/@joannakosinska?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
Meghan Maines
The Ninth-Grade Academy will foster a smooth transition to Concord Carlisle High School by creating a supportive first-year experience that inspires students and promotes intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and academic achievement. Central to our mission is cultivating an inclusive and compassionate educational community that builds a foundation for a healthy and fulfilling experience at CCHS and beyond.
“
Smaller Learning Communities
30
Team approach to supporting students
Enhanced Coordination Between Subjects
Coordinated Field Trips
Coordinated Assessments
Coordinated Community Service
Interdisciplinary Learning
36
Glaciers
Teams
Our services
English
Math
Science
Social Studies
Guidance
Willow
Leader: Pavlik
English
Math
Science
Social Studies
Guidance
English
Math
Science
Social Studies
Guidance
English
Math
Science
Social Studies
Guidance
Maple
Leader: Winkler
Oak
Leader: Ruggiero
Elm
Leader: Ray
Off Team:
World Language
Electives
H&F
41
Meetings to discuss students and share best practices
Brian Miller
Typical 9th-Grade Schedule
Developing a 9th-Grade Schedule
2x Per Week Electives
Online Resources
YOG 2029 Course Worksheet
Aspen Accounts
Darius Green
Student Supports
Alison Nowicki, Department Chair
anowicki@concordcarlisle.org
Guidance & Counseling Department
CCHS Special Education Contact Information
Amy Geer - Special Education Administrator
Email: ageer@concordcarlisle.org
Erin Pineau - Special Education Department Chair
Email: epineau@concordcarlisle.org
Sarah Greenaway- Special Education Administrative Assistant
Email: sgreenaway@concordcarlisle.org
Dates moving forward
January 30 Curriculum Night, 6:30PM Tours 5:45PM
February 4-9 Online Course Selection in Aspen
May 20 Transition Night, 7:00PM (zoom)
Late May Schedules Shared online in Aspen
May 29 8th-Grade Students visit CCHS, 9:30AM
August 15 Football and Golf Start
August 18 All other fall sports start
August 26* 9th Grade Orientation
August 27* First Day of 2025-2026 Academic Year
* (pending School Committee approval)
Katie Stahl
Questions
Schedule
How many credits are students expected in a year?
27.5
How many credits are needed to graduate?
100 credits
Do students usually "fill" their schedules, or are study halls expected?
Some students do, others don’t! There is something nice about having some extra time as a 9th grader.
If a student starts in a higher "level" of a subject and finds it too difficult, what is the process for switching to a lower level?
Students can talk to their guidance counselor. The academy model allows us to know students better!
How does my student decide what classes to take?
Your current guidance counselor and teachers will make recommendations.
Can you take two languages?
Yes, you can take two languages but there is no more room for other electives (aside from 2x electives).
Is there a homeroom?
We do not have a homeroom. Students start the day with their first block class. We do have two flex blocks each week where students have choice in how they spend their time.
Is placement in a cohort in the Freshman Academy based on academic performance, or are students at all academic levels integrated within each cohort?
Students of all academic levels are integrated within each cohort.
We work to ensure an equitable distribution of all students across all teams.
School Wide Practices
Is there recess or just lunch? Can the kids eat outside?
Students have a 41 minute lunch every day. They are allowed to eat outside the cafeteria.
How does bussing work? Do we pay for it?
Buses are provided free of charge. There is a late bus for extracurriculars.
What is the policy for leaving campus during the day?
9th graders are not permitted to leave campus during the school day.
Classroom Practices
How are students expected to track their homework assignments? Do they usually write them in a notebook? Or is it all electronic?
A supply list is provided in the summer. We encourage students to use a paper notebook or agenda.
What school supplies do they need? How do we find out what they need each year? Do we buy on our own or via a program like CPS has?
A supply list will be provided at the transition night in May. Families will buy their own supplies.
Technology
Is Google classroom used? Some other program?
Google classroom is used.
Do the students receive ipads, laptops, or other technology from the school?
All students receive a MacBook Air. Students will receive these devices in 9th Grade Orientation.
@ConcordCarlisleHS
@ConcordCarlisleHS
Other Questions?