Ninth Grade Survival Handout
Class of 2030 Transition
Rochester Prep High School
9th Grade
Survival Presentation
Your student-friendly guide to daily schedules, academic credits, and cultural expectations—de-jargonized for high school success.
Welcome Rising Scholars Slide 1 of 12
The School-Day Hours
Regular Days
Monday through Thursday
7:15 AM: Doors Open & Breakfast
7:40 AM: First Period Begins
3:00 PM: Dismissal & Release
Early Release
Friday Half-Day Schedule
7:15 AM: Doors Open & Breakfast
12:30 PM: Early Dismissal
Plan your rides! Students must exit the building within 15 minutes of dismissal.
Daily Schedules Slide 2 of 12
Transition & Independent Navigation
7 Periods Daily
3 Min Transitions
No Lines Independent
Ownership Over Your Day: High schoolers move independently. There are no teacher-led lines between classrooms. You are responsible for navigating with speed and entering your next classroom before the 3-minute bell!
Hallway Navigation Slide 3 of 12
Day One Uniform & Footwear Checks
The Uniform Rules
- Official vendor shirt must be fully tucked in.
- Pants/skirt must be pulled up to the waist.
- No belts required anymore!
Strict Shoe Policy
Safety first! Students are required to wear sneakers or dress shoes.
Banned footwear: Sandals, slippers, and Crocs are strictly prohibited on campus. No exceptions!
Uniform & Footwear Slide 4 of 12
High School Graduation Blueprint
Required Subjects & Credits
English 4 Years
Social Studies 4 Years
Mathematics 3-4 Years
Science 3-4 Years
Physical Education 4 Years
Health 0.5 Year (9th Grade!)
State Regents Exams
Must score a 65 or higher on 5 state exams: Science, Math, Global History, U.S. History, and English.
Regents Diploma
Graduation Blueprints Slide 5 of 12
The Strict Rules of Retention
70% (C)
The Passing Bar
Any course average below 70 earns exactly zero high school credits.
Fail 1-2 Classes
Summer School
Requires 4 full weeks of Summer School with 90%+ attendance to recover credits.
Fail 3+ Classes
Repeat the Grade
Automatic grade retention. You must repeat the entire year next fall.
Retention & Promotion Policies Slide 6 of 12
Tech Mastery & Google Classroom
Charge Daily
Every high school student is issued a personal school Chromebook. You must bring your device, fully charged, to school every single day.
Forget your Chromebook? You will spend your class period studying in the Dean's Office instead.
Homework Submission
High school homework is completed and tracked digitally. All homework assignments are submitted on Google Classroom.
Missed or late assignments immediately lower your course average. Daily diligence is non-negotiable!
Technology & Homework Slide 7 of 12
How to Email a Teacher
Advocate for yourself like a professional using this simple layout:
1. Subject Line [Name] - [Period] - [Topic]
2. Professional Greeting Dear Mr. Davis,
3. The Question "Could you help me with question 4?"
4. Sign-off Thank you,
Alex Smith
Self-Advocacy & Communication Slide 8 of 12
Phone Rules, Lockers, & Restoration
Phone Lockdown
Completely off and stowed away from the first bell to dismissal. Unauthorized use results in instant confiscation—parents must pick it up.
Lockers & Locks
Use only your assigned locker. You are required to bring a combination lock. Lockers can be inspected by school leaders at any time.
Restorative Mediation
Discipline is restorative. When conflict arises, you always have the option to close the loop or request a formal mediation with teachers or peers.
Daily Campus Rules Slide 9 of 12
The GPA Reality Check
Why the 9th Grade Trap is Real
Your cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) represents your permanent transcript footprint. Your 9th-grade grades make up exactly 25% of your total GPA! A weak freshman GPA forms a heavy academic anchor that is almost mathematically impossible to fully fix later. Every class starting Day One counts!
Standard Scale
90-100%: 4.0 GPA
80-89%: 3.0 GPA
70-79%: 2.0 GPA
High School GPA Master Class Slide 10 of 12
Helping teachers get to know you
My Name:
Today's Date:
1. One of my favorite subjects or school strengths is...
2. When I feel stuck or frustrated, a teacher can help me by...
3. One academic goal I really want to achieve in high school is...
4. Something that helps me focus or feel safe in a classroom is...
Rising Scholar Survey - Part 1 Slide 11 of 12
Rising Scholar Survey (Part 2: Personality & Vibe)
My Walk-Up Anthem (Your entrance theme song):
My favorite hobby or way to relax outside of school:
This or That Showdown
Early Bird
Night Owl
Team Sports
Drama & Art
Would You Rather...
Be able to read minds during exams
Be able to freeze time when you need a break
"Thank you for sharing your story. We are honored to walk beside you on your road to college graduation!"
Rising Scholar Survey - Part 2 Slide 12 of 12