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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 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

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

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