Ninth Grade Counts

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This is a pivotal time for this city. We must reclaim education as a community value.

– Amy Carlsen Kohnstamm, Parent Volunteer

Introducing Ninth Grade Counts

The transition from 8th to 9th grade is a pivotal time for students who struggle academically. Ninth Grade Counts will deliver a citywide network to give young people the support they need to stay on track.

Making Sure That
Ninth Grade Counts – this summer

Ninth Grade Counts will join forces this summer with community organizations, schools and other partners to reach out to 1000 students at risk of dropping out. Together we can connect these students with the support they need to start high school on the right track. We’ll do this by:

Coordinating a network of summer transition programs

Providing resources to strengthen programs focused on the students most at risk of disconnecting

Spreading the word to students, parents, educators, and the community about the importance of ninth grade and ways for students to get connected to opportunities this summer

How to connect this summer

Non-profits, schools and other youth program providers

The job is too big for any one organization to take on alone. Click here to join the community-wide effort to help all our students start high school on the right track.

Check out the Ninth Grade Counts Guidebook for Summer 2009 to learn more about summer opportunities for incoming 9th graders.

Students, Families, Mentors & Friends

Research has shown us just how important ninth grade is – for example, we know that students who fail a core course in ninth grade are four times more likely to drop out. And during the summer, students who are struggling can fall even further behind.

Let’s turn that around. Reach out to a teacher, a counselor, or a friend to learn about fun opportunities to stay involved this summer. Ninth Grade Counts wants to help – that’s why we’ve created this Ninth Grade Counts Guidebook for Summer 2009 to help connect youth with programs that can make a difference.

Now it’s your turn.


To learn more about Ninth Grade Counts, contact Nate Waas Shull at the Portland Schools Foundation (503) 234-5404 ext. 11 nate@thinkschools.org