Welcome to

The Ninth Hour

What happens during

The Ninth Hour?

One Hour.

20 Minutes of Content.

20 Minutes of Conversation.

20 Minutes of Clarification.

Join a community of high school teachers, administrators, and district leaders dedicated to freshman success.

Season One!

These recordings are included when you subscribe to this year’s

Ninth Hour

2025-2026 Topics

September 12th - Data

Data: Everyone talks about it. Todd introduces a robust structure —The Mission-Driven Data Cycle —that teams can use to deploy data effectively. A comprehensive list of data is also provided.

October 10th - Standardized Expectations

Standardized Expectations: This is the product of a healthy team. Teachers meet together and sharpen each other for the work they do in the classroom. This process is critical to team success.

November 14th -Master Schedules & Agendas (Two Topics)

Master Schedule/Agendas: Scott will bring his administrative perspective to the master schedule as schools consider registration for next year. Todd will run a parallel session about creating agendas for the table. 

February 13th - Going Beyond the Content

Going Beyond the Content: It's the heart of what we do. We will talk about this powerful force in driving freshman success. 

March 13th - Summer Orientation

Summer Orientation: As you plan your freshman orientation events for the summer and fall, we will take an hour to share ideas and discuss philosophies about the when, why, how, and what of freshman orientation. 

April 10th - Student Recognition

Student Recognition - In The Level Table Framework, there is a powerful habit called melting. Melting is when we visibly celebrate what teams do, what teachers do, and what freshmen do to bring about freshman success. 

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

  • How to Engage with Purpose

    Learn how to move beyond delivering content by teaching to the "why"—helping students connect their learning to personal meaning and long-term goals.

  • Building Student Motivation from Within

    Discover strategies to foster intrinsic motivation by linking classroom experiences to real-life outcomes that matter to freshmen.

  • Using Assessment as a Tool for Growth

    Gain assessment literacy that empowers teachers to use formative assessments to guide learning, not just evaluate it.

  • Structuring Powerful Teacher Teams

    Learn how to create collaborative teams that use data, shared strategies, and consistent communication to support freshman needs holistically.

  • Mapping the Freshman Year with Strategic Checkpoints

    Unpack the eight key phases of the freshman experience, each with clear markers, goals, and intervention plans.

  • Proactively Managing Transitions

    Learn how to anticipate and prepare for predictable freshman challenges—from academic habits to social-emotional shifts—and build proactive systems of support.

  • Walking Away with Actionable Plans

    Leave with a practical roadmap and implementation tools to bring The Ninth Grade Initiative back to your campus or district with confidence.

  • How to Identify What Matters Most in Freshman Year

    Learn how to prioritize high-impact habits, mindsets, and milestones that set the tone for a successful high school journey.

  • Creating a 9th Grade Culture of Belonging

    Explore how to build classroom and campus environments where students feel safe, seen, and supported in the critical transition year. goes here

  • Translating Data into Daily Practice

    Learn to turn assessment and behavioral data into real-time instructional adjustments and team interventions.

  • Strengthening Advisory and Mentorship Models

    Discover how to align advisory periods, mentoring, and check-ins with the broader goals of freshman success and retention.

  • Designing Interventions That Actually Work

    Walk through targeted intervention strategies tailored to each phase of freshman development—academic, social, and emotional.

  • Shifting School Systems for Ninth Grade Focus

    See how successful schools re-engineer schedules, teams, and decision-making structures to keep freshmen front and center.

A Community About Freshman Success

Easy to Access Online Platform

All materials will be easily accessible online through your portal. With a school or district membership, all staff members can be added to have their own login and access. Additional materials will be posted throughout the year.

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

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