9th Grade Academy helps students belong, succeed at BHS

On Friday, Dec. 20, members of the Burnsville High School "Link Crew" student leadership group, along with staff members, hosted a celebration for all BHS ninth graders. Students enjoyed snacks and participated in a variety of activities like arts and crafts, bean bag toss, video games and cup stacking, just to name a few. 

The event celebrated a successful start to the school’s 9th Grade Academy, a program that launched this summer to provide additional support for students as they transition from middle school to high school with the goal of increasing their academic and personal success. 

“We are committed to engaging, supporting and honoring each student and family at Burnsville High School. Ninth grade is an important transition for all students,” Principal Jesús Sandoval said. “We have made a concerted effort to implement programs and supports that will help incoming ninth graders feel a sense of community and belonging while learning skills for academic success.”

9th Grade Academy encompasses everything BHS students and staff are doing, both inside and outside the classroom, to help ninth graders successfully transition to high school. The foundation of 9th Grade Academy are its four pillars: community, transition, instruction and support. 

The community pillar is exemplified by events like the celebration before winter break that bring all ninth graders together and help them feel welcome. 

“I feel like the Link Crew genuinely cares and wants to make sure we have an enjoyable ninth grade experience,” ninth-grader Emery Gehrke said. 

The transition pillar includes eighth-grade students touring the high school, attending open house events, learning about the Pathways program at the high school level, and meeting with counselors to plan schedules.

“Transitioning to high school can be challenging and having strong support is essential. What stands out to me is the well rounded system of social workers and counselors all dedicated to supporting students. The school ensures students can have easy access to help, creating a supportive environment,” ninth-grader Sabrina Abdi said. 

The instruction pillar involves collaboration among the more than 25 staff members who are part of 9th Grade Academy, including classroom teachers, multilingual teachers, special education teachers and counselors. These groups review student data to determine what instructional strategies they can use to best provide support and benefit their students.

“The community here is very welcoming and I feel like I belong at Burnsville. I think it’s great how every day when I walk through the doors I’m greeted by two counselors who look like they’re happy that I'm here,” ninth-grader Auvri Dace said. 

Family engagement is another key component of 9th Grade Academy. Principal Sandoval provides families with information about what’s going on at BHS by sending out a weekly newsletter, The Blazing Times. There’s also a parent advisory council that he meets with twice a month. 

Another part of the 9th Grade Academy framework is a class called Success 191. All ninth-grade students are required to take this course, which focuses on skills that help set them up for success in high school. Among the topics covered in Success 191 are organization skills, health and wellness, literacy skills, digital literacy, college and career readiness, cultural proficiency and financial literacy. 

The efforts of 9th Grade Academy are already producing tangible results. Current ninth graders are attending class at a 10 percent higher rate than they did last year in eighth grade, and attendance is 14 percent higher than last year’s ninth-grade students. Additionally, the number of classes taken by ninth graders that result in no credits earned is down 35 percent from last year. 

“We’re seeing some good, positive successes among the core things we’re hoping to impact,” Sandoval said. “Our teachers are doing a really nice job working through the data, seeing where the needs are, and following up with a phone call or providing other specific interventions.”

Sandoval and his staff will continue to evaluate 9th Grade Academy based on data and student and staff feedback. He expects it will continue to evolve to best meet the needs of students.

“We’re constantly seeing what works and what doesn’t work. We will continue to look at what other things we need to consider,” he said. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to help our students and families successfully navigate the important transition from middle school to high school.”

Learn more about 9th Grade Academy.