The 9th Grade Experience: Helping every Midtown freshman start strong, stay on track, and build momentum for four years of success.
The transition into high school is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming. The 9th Grade Experience is Midtown’s new, research-aligned program built to support freshmen with the skills, structure, and relationships that matter most during the first year.
Midtown High School launched this program in the 2025–26 school year with funding from the Midtown High School Foundation and in partnership with Empower Academic Coaching.
Why 9th Grade: Why focus on freshmen?
Ninth grade is the “make-or-break” year for high school success. When students build strong habits early—attendance, organization, academic skills, and help-seeking behaviors—they are more likely to earn credits, stay engaged, and graduate on time.
What is the 9th Grade Experience? A structured freshman success program
The 9th Grade Experience combines skill-building + coaching + early support to help students succeed in the more demanding environment of High School.
Students build:
- Organizational systems (tracking assignments, managing multiple classes)
- Study and note-taking strategies (preparing for quizzes/tests)
- Planning and time management (breaking down longer projects)
- Self-advocacy (asking for help early and effectively)
- Confidence and resilience (using mindset and problem-solving when things get hard)
Core 9th grade teachers (ELA, Social Studies, and Biology) are trained in the key skills named above, and they then infuse them into their lessons with the students.
Ongoing evaluation of the teachers’ experience implementing these lessons, with iterative adjustments to personalize and fine-tune classroom activities, help optimize and standardize the curriculum.
As the program progresses, teachers are better able to identify students still at risk and offer pull-out support services for deeper intervention, alongside parent connection and involvement.
To deliver this work with consistency and expertise, we’re partnering with Empower Academic Coaching, an organization that supports schools by teaching students the executive-function and academic skills that drive success—especially during key transition years.
What Empower brings:
- Proven coaching methods and student skill-building tools
- Structured routines and accountability
- A student-centered approach that strengthens ownership and motivation
- Alignment with existing student expectations
Best of all, Empower is training Midtown staff to take over these processes over time, resulting in program sustainability and stability.
Research Alignment: Built on national research for “on-track” success
The 9th Grade Experience is aligned with research-based frameworks shared by TNTP (formerly The New Teacher Project) and the Center for High School Success—including their Roadmap for 9th Grade Success. Their work emphasizes that students stay on track when schools intentionally build:
- Strong relationships and belonging
- Clear expectations and consistent routines
- Early warning indicators + rapid support
- Skill development that reduces overwhelm
- A culture where asking for help is normal
Why this matters at Midtown
Midtown is rigorous and fast-paced. This program ensures freshmen don’t have to “figure it out alone”—they learn practical systems and get trusted support early.
What Success Looks Like: Outcomes we’re building toward
We’ll measure success in ways that align with widely used “freshman on-track” indicators:
- Attendance: students show up consistently
- Course performance: fewer missing assignments; stronger grades
- Credit completion: students earn the credits they need to progress
- Engagement: increased help-seeking, confidence, and persistence
How You Can Help: Fund the support that changes trajectories
The Midtown High School Foundation was able to fund the pilot program of the 9th grade experience with a generous bequest from the Boys’ High Foundation, but parent donations will allow this now-proven program to continue and expand. By donating to the Foundation, you directly support the 9th grade experience by:
- Expanding coaching capacity
- Underwriting program materials / student planners / skill resources
- Ensuring students can benefit
- Enabling deeper support services for 9th graders most in need