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Madison Metropolitan School District

Welcome to Ninth Grade

East E with the castle look in the background

Incoming 9th Grade Students & Families (Class of 2029)

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

For incoming 9th grade students (Class of 2029) 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 will present general high school course selection information to current 8th grade students and families on the evening of Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 from 5:00-7:00pm in-person in East High School's Theater, and virtually via Facebook Live. This event begins at 5pm with the presentation in the Theater about high school graduation requirements, 9th grade required courses, elective course options, staff introductions, and an overview of engagement opportunities including clubs and athletics. Following the presentation in the Theater, families are invited to tour the school, meet staff and learn more about elective course options at informational tables.

First page of the PDF file: EHSJan2025PreppinToBeAPurgolderFlyer

2024 preppin' To Be A Purgolder Presentation Slides

2024 spanish Preppin' To Be A Purgolder Presentation Slides

2024 preppin' To Be A Purgolder Presentation Recording

East High School Counselors and Staff will then visit 8th grade students at feeder pattern middle schools in January to discuss scheduling for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. Counselors will reference the materials below:

INCOMING FRESHMEN FAIR
A Spring Activities Fair for rising 9th graders featuring opportunities to get involved at East High School including Clubs, Sports, and Academic Supports

This Spring event for the Class of 2028 was on Wednesday, May 8th from 5:00-7:00pm, in-person at East High School. The event  focused on engagement opportunities for students like clubs , sports and academic supports .  Students and families can get a tour of the building and learn more about the organizations and activities that East has to offer.  THE DATE FOR THE CLASS OF 2029 IN THE SPRING OF 2025 HAS NOT YET BEEN SET.

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!

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.

Here are Fall 2024 welcome letters from each Neighborhood's 9th Grade Staff Team:

Summer Before 9th Grade Year

Here is the information that was emailed to the Class of 2028 East students and families in August 2024.

First Day Orientation

The first day of 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.   Chromebooks will be distributed on the first days of school.

2024 FIRST DAY ORIENTATION SCHEDULE & INFORMATION

Program Options

Learn from previous MMSD virtual information sessions about AVID and DLI by reviewing the slides and recordings below:

AVID

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 e-newsletter)
Tower Media (student news site)
East Calendar

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