I don’t know anyone who would wish to be a ninth grader again. While the first day of ninth grade may be a “rite of passage,” it certainly was not a pleasant one. According to this report, ninth graders must face the following:
Overwhelming – Most new ninth graders are unprepared for the sheer size of the of the high school compared to their middle school.
Bottom of the Food Chain – Another shock! Last year they were on top.
Navigating a larger campus
Changing classes
Facing more difficult course work – Their increase in difficulty of their new textbooks is even greater than the jump from high school to college.
Fitting in among older students – Many of the students are legally adults.
Hazing – “Fear of being tormented by older, bigger students” on “Freshman Friday.”
“Fear of Abuse” – Fear of abuse goes beyond Freshman Friday. “Kids I see are really afraid of the gangs in school.” “Some … have changed schools because of this fear.”
“Strict teachers” – “Get on your teacher’s good side. A lot of high school teachers are a lot more strict. You don’t want to be on their bad side the first week of school.”
“It’s a huge transition. They come in at 14 and they leave as adults.”
My Tweet
9th Grade: “Nerve-wracking rite of passage” on 1st day of high school. sacbee.com mee.bo/pR5o1w