Welcome to Ninth Grade

East E with the castle look in the background

Incoming 9th Grade Students & Families (Class of 2027)

Below you will find resources to guide you through the transition to high school.

For incoming 9th grade students (Class of 2027) who live in the East attendance area and are from a private, parochial or charter school please view the NEW TO MMSD Enrollment Information.

8th-9th Grade Transition Information

East hosts two events for current 8th grade students and families to learn more about high school and what it's like to be a Purgolder.

"Preppin' To Be A Purgolder"
An Introduction To 9th Grade At East High School

East High School Counselors presented general high school course selection information to current 8th grade students and families on the evening of Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 6:00-8:00pm in-person in East High School's Theater and virtually via Facebook Live. The presentation included information about high school graduation requirements, 9th grade required courses and elective course options.

East High School Counselors and Staff will also visit 8th grade students at feeder pattern middle schools in January to discuss scheduling for the upcoming school year. Counselors will reference the below resources:

Spring Activities Fair For Rising 9th Graders:
Opportunities To Get Involved At East High School

The Spring event on Wednesday, May 17th from 5-7pm in-person at East High School will focus on engagement opportunities for students like academic supports, sports and clubs. Students and families will learn about the organizations and activities that East has to offer.

Check out these student made videos with advice for Rising 9th Graders from current Purgolder students and what current Purgolders like about going to East High School!

First Day Orientation

The first day of school at East High School is reserved for 9th grade students only. This will be a day of acclimation with activities to support 9th graders getting to know the building and High School. The day will consist of a building tour, getting to know East activities, and a shortened class schedule so students can find their classes. Students will receive their locker assignments on this day as well. Chromebooks will be distributed on the first days of school.

FIRST DAY ORIENTATION SCHEDULE & INFORMATION (from 2022)

Neighborhoods

East High School is structured with “Small Learning Community Neighborhoods.” These Neighborhoods (Olbrich, Tenney, Warner, and Yahara) do not correlate with where families physically reside, but are assigned randomly. Within each neighborhood, students are supported by an Assistant Principal, Administrative Assistant, Counselor, Social Worker, Psychologist, Dean of Students, and Nurse and ideally these connections will stay the same during a students’ four years at East. East’s Neighborhood structure offers opportunities for student-to-student and student-to-staff relationships leading to students’ becoming personally involved in and taking responsibility for their own education. The result of students’ feeling a part of the school’s academics and activities is increased chances for success both in and out of the classroom. A full list of all staff by neighborhood can be found here.

Class of 2027 students and families will be emailed their Neighborhood assignments and a Neighborhood Welcome Message in August 2023.

View Neighborhood Welcome Messages from the Fall 2022 for the Class of 2026 below:

Summer Before 9th Grade Year

Here is the information that was emailed to the Class of 2026 East students and families on June 15, 2022. Class of 2027 East students and families will get a similar communication in June 2023.

Program Options

East High School Staff presented information about East's Personalized Pathways, AVID, and Dual Language Immersion Program Options to current 8th grade students and families on the evening of Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 6:00-7:30pm in-person in East High School's Theater and virtually via Facebook Live.

Personalized Pathways

East's Personalized Pathways Website
Personalized Pathways Presentation (with audio) (en español) - This slideshow has audio options for each slide and will give you more information about our Pathways program.
Personalized Pathways Application
Contact: Annie Potter

AVID

East's AVID Website
AVID Presentation (with Audio) (en espanol) - This slide show has audio options for each slide and will give you more information about our AVID program.
AVID Application
Staff Recommendation Form
Contact: Kate Brien

Dual Language Immersion (DLI)

CONTACT

Questions about the transition from 8th to 9th grade? Contact East's 9th Grade On Track Coordinator, Tom Kanies, at tkanies@madison.k12.wi.us or 608-204-1683.

Para preguntas en español, se puede comunicar con la Sra. Silvia Gomez al 608-204-1624 o sgomezdesori@madison.k12.wi.us, o la consejera escolar bilingüe, Robin Murphy-Sinha, al 608-561-7370 (llamadas o textos) o rlmurphy@madison.k12.wi.us.

CONNECT WITH EAST

Purgolder Press (weekly)
Peppy's Periodical (monthly)
Tower Media (student news site)
East Calendar

#PurgolderPride

Tips & Pointers: Preparing for High School

Attend 9th Grade Orientation: This is the number one most important time to prepare yourself for high school! Be sure to check out other events as well.

Talk to your friends from middle school: Many of them will go to the same high school as you. But remember that you’re likely to make some new friends, too. On average, your high school will be about 3 to 4 times bigger than your middle school!

Check out the school’s publications: From blogs, to social media, to TV broadcasts, to other online materials, you can learn about what other teens are up to at your school. You could also get involved in school media yourself! Be sure to check out Tower Media, our student news site.

Keep track of your stuff: Do you have a good system for organizing your schoolwork? Make sure you’ve got a binder, assignment notebook, and anything else that helps you stay on top of things. Going paperless instead? Awesome! Tech tools will help you succeed from 9th to 12th grade, and beyond.

Tech tools: Check out your school’s website, Infinite Campus, Google Classrooms, and your MMSD e-mail to make sure you’re in-the-know about all the tech tools available to students. If you’re not familiar with these yet, your teachers and other school staff will be happy to help.

1:1 tech devices: Don’t have a computer at home? No problem! All MMSD high schools are going one-to-one with devices this year, which means you should have access to your own Chromebook. Be sure to familiarize yourself with MMSD’s policy for appropriate use of tech tools, if you haven't already.

Be yourself! (Seriously.) There are so many people in high school, you’re bound to find other people with the same interests, hobbies, and even quirks, as you.

Be kind! In the words of one East High student:

"You’re going to be with these people for the next four years of your life.
You might as well get along with each other."

Specific supports: Do you have anything in particular you need to find in the school? Learn about AVID, Student Services, Personalized Pathways, Dual Language Immersion, and other programs early in the year, to get a head-start on your own needs as a high school student.

Making the most out of your high school experience

High school can be an amazing experience for students.

Below are a few tips for making the most of the next four years.

Join a club or sport. High school is much more enjoyable when you get involved. Don't see a club that interests you? Start one!
- Athletics
- Clubs and Activities
Stay on top of your progress and grades. Check Infinite Campus often.
Ask for help when you need it!
Get to know your teachers and help your teachers get to know you.
Attendance is VITAL! Come to school on time, every day.
Take advantage of the supports that are provided at East, which include tutoring, counseling, mentoring and much more.
Talk to adults at school about your postsecondary goals and get advice on courses you should take while in high school to help you reach your goals.
Get to know your classmates, especially those that are different from you.
Ask questions! There are many people here to help you, and communication is key.
Take a good balance of classes. Explore a new hobby or skill through an elective class and challenge yourself with an Advanced Placement course or Dual Credit class. Learn some of the benefits of advanced coursework.
Know your support system! There are counselors, social workers, psychologists and many other adults at our school who are here to support your academics and well-being.

"One thing that has made my high school experience better is being in classes I want to be in and that I find enjoyable. The history department and my counselor are able to help me when I need it."
– East High School student

Staying on Track: Academics

Ninth Grade: The Most Important Year of High School

You are about to start the most important year in your high school career! How do we know this? The MMSD research team has found that more than anything else, your grades and attendance in ninth grade matter for high school graduation. If you are On-Track at the end of 9th grade, you are more than twice as likely to graduate in 4 years. Graduate with a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) or higher and your opportunities beyond high school skyrocket!

What does it take to be On-Track to Graduate?

To be On-Track to graduate on time, you must:

Attend school at least 90% of the time (miss no more than 4 days a quarter of school), AND
Earn no more than 2 semester Fs

EHS Academic Supports

"Please do your homework even if you don't want to. It really does make a difference."
– East High School student

9th Grade On Track Coordinator

Tom Kanies

tkanies@madison.k12.wi.us

Key Vocabulary to help you

Resources

FAQ for Rising 9th Grade Families
Credit and Graduation Requirements
Counseling Website - Includes course selection information
EHS Contact Information
Advanced Coursework
Academic Supports
East Clubs
Athletics

Select a School

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

Select a School

Welcome to Ninth Grade

Incoming 9th Grade Students & Families (Class of 2027)

8th-9th Grade Transition Information

"Preppin' To Be A Purgolder"
An Introduction To 9th Grade At East High School

Spring Activities Fair For Rising 9th Graders:
Opportunities To Get Involved At East High School

First Day Orientation

Neighborhoods

Summer Before 9th Grade Year

Program Options

Personalized Pathways

AVID

Dual Language Immersion (DLI)

CONTACT

CONNECT WITH EAST

Tips & Pointers: Preparing for High School

Making the most out of your high school experience

Staying on Track: Academics

What does it take to be On-Track to Graduate?

9th Grade On Track Coordinator

Resources

Additional MMSD Resources

Resources

Welcome to Ninth Grade

Incoming 9th Grade Students & Families (Class of 2027)

8th-9th Grade Transition Information

"Preppin' To Be A Purgolder" An Introduction To 9th Grade At East High School

Spring Activities Fair For Rising 9th Graders: Opportunities To Get Involved At East High School

First Day Orientation

Neighborhoods

Summer Before 9th Grade Year

Program Options

Personalized Pathways

AVID

Dual Language Immersion (DLI)

CONTACT

CONNECT WITH EAST

"Preppin' To Be A Purgolder"
An Introduction To 9th Grade At East High School

Spring Activities Fair For Rising 9th Graders:
Opportunities To Get Involved At East High School