The Ninth Hour: The Journey

Click to Sign Up for Free!

Welcome to Our 2nd Season!

The Ninth Hour:

The Journey.

Join us!

Dates for 2026-2027

Friday, August 14th

Friday, September 11th

Friday - October 9th

Friday - November 13th

No Meeting in December

Friday, January 8th

Friday - February 12th

Friday - March 12th

Friday - April 9th

Friday - May 14th

@ 9:00 a.m. (CT)

Miss a meeting? No problem! Each meeting will be recorded and posted on the community page for your convenience.

Click to Sign Up for Free!

Welcome to The Ninth Hour

Freshman success doesn't happen accidentally. It happens when educators intentionally work together on behalf of students.

The Ninth Hour is a free national community of educators committed to helping students successfully navigate ninth grade and become graduates. Once each month, we gather to share practical ideas, meaningful conversations, and proven practices that support one of the most important transitions in a student's life—the transition into high school.

This isn't another webinar. It's an opportunity to join educators from across the country who are thinking deeply about belonging, achievement, leadership, relationships, and what it means to help every student become On Track for Graduation.

As a member of The Ninth Hour Community, you'll receive:

  • Nine live sessions throughout the school year.

  • Practical tools and resources you can use immediately.

  • Monthly conversations centered on freshman success.

  • Opportunities to learn from schools doing exceptional work with ninth graders.

  • Updates on resources, conferences, and future opportunities through The Ninth Grade Initiative.

There is no cost to join—only an invitation to learn, contribute, and grow alongside educators who believe freshman success matters.

We are excited that you're here and look forward to welcoming you to The Ninth Hour.

Todd Novak & Scott Habeeb

Text or Call Todd @ 605-310-7616

What you’ll have the opportunity to learn in a year!

  • See the Year Before It Happens.

    We break the freshman year into eight strategic phases—so your team knows what’s coming before it hits.

  • Start Fast. Start Right.

    From Day 1, we align your team around what actually matters—relationships, routines, and early wins.

  • Turn Data Into Direction

    Real-time data cycles that don’t just inform—they drive action, daily.

  • Catch the Slide Before It Starts

    We identify the exact moments when freshmen drift—and give you the plays to stop it.

  • Build Systems That Hold

    Expectations, grading, missing work, interventions—aligned and consistent across your building.

  • Eliminate Mid-Semester Surprises

    No guessing. No reacting. Your team will anticipate pressure points and respond with precision.

  • Re-Engage When It Matters Most

    Strategic resets that pull students back in—before disengagement becomes failure.

  • Maximize the Second Semester Shift

    We help you leverage the most underused opportunity in schools: the power of Semester 2.

  • Engineer the Bridge to 10th Grade

    Freshman success isn’t the goal—sophomore readiness is. We show you how to build that bridge intentionally.

  • Leave Every Month With a Plan

    Each session delivers a “Top Nine” list—clear, actionable steps your team can execute immediately.

A Community About Freshman Success

Easy to Access Online Platform

Recordings

Miss a meeting? Catch up easily through recordings posted the day after. Meeting links will also be emailed out to all members or accessible through the portal.

Online Community

Engage with other members, along with Scott and Todd, even outside of the meeting times. This is the best place to share with others about what is working for your building, ask questions, and find resources.

Hear What Educators Like You Are Saying About the Ninth Grade Initiative

  • Useful and practical concepts easy to integrate into the classroom immediately.

    Teacher

  • Even if you’re not in academies, if you care about your underserved students, you’ll find tremendous support at this conference.

    Counselor

  • This conference was not only informational, but it was motivational to go back and teach freshmen.

    Teacher

  • I attended this as a middle school principal to learn about it and be able to work with the high school to help the transition to freshman year. This sessions that I attended are applicable to so many teaching areas and levels. I can see its importance in the Freshman experience, but also think it can drive professional development for an entire school or district.

    Principal

  • If you are struggling with your freshmen, come to this. It was tailored to all the things that freshmen need and offers supports for you to help get there.

    Principal

  • Freshmen do not know how to be high school students; they're just middle schoolers in slightly bigger bodies. We have to teach them how to be high school students and, therefore, life students. This conference helps you with both the philosophy and practice behind the need for this path.

    Teacher

Join us for the
Ninth Hour!

Click to Sign Up
Contact Us with Questions