Making Ninth Grade Count: How High School Districts Are Redesigning Student Success

As districts confront persistent challenges in improving student attendance, engagement, and academic outcomes, ninth grade has emerged as a critical inflection point for student success. Across the country, leaders and researchers alike recognize that what happens in this pivotal year can determine whether students stay on track to graduate.

Translating this insight into meaningful, systemwide change is where many districts need support. Moving beyond isolated programs requires clarity on which practices matter most and sustained focus on implementation over time.

Please join us to hear directly from school and district leaders about what actually works in practice—what they’ve learned, what they’ve adjusted, and how they’ve built the conditions for sustainable ninth grade success—and how this all has led to long term returns.