North Hills School Board Considers Moving Ninth Grade To High School - North Hills, ...

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North Hills School Board Considers Moving Ninth Grade To High School
A recent decline in enrollment at the high school has created space that could accommodate the district's 350 ninth-graders.
By Kristy Snyder Email the author October 24, 2011

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The North Hills School District is considering moving the ninth grade from the junior high to the senior high, according to a presentation led by three district principals at Monday's school board meeting. Assistant Superintendent Patrick Mannarino said a recent decline in enrollment at the high school means there is room to make the move. The high school has the capacity for 1,687 students, but the student enrollment for the 2011-2012 school year is 1,075. The district has an enrollment of about 350 ninth-graders who now share a building with grades seven and eight though they occasionally attend classes at the high school. The principals behind the plan said that in addition to making things more organized, there are benefits to moving the students into classes with the rest of their peers. One of the biggest benefits weve found so far is a natural articulation of curriculum, said Bill McGahee, an assistant principal at North Hills Senior High School. The majority of the ninth grade academic teachers are housed here in the junior hgh school building. We feel if we bring these teachers over to the high school, just through everyday natural collaboration, our curriculum will naturally articulate. In addition, moving to the high school will allow students to begin planning for their post-secondary future, said North Hills Senior High Principal John Kreider. This grade is extremely important as it will follow them through their high school transcript and as a result help them get to the next level, Kreider said. McGahee said he also expects that there will be an increase in student participation in extracurricular clubs and activities, as well as accelerated development in mental maturity. If they are housed in one building, we feel that they would grow socially, emotionally and academically as high school students in the high school, McGahee said. The proposal is still in the informal planning stages, the principals said. An informational meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, in the North Hills Senior High School auditorium. Additional details and information related to the proposed reconfiguration will be discussed. On Monday, the school board also approved a new K-6 science curriculum.

http://northhills.patch.com/articles/school-board-considers-moving-ninth-grade-to-high-s...

12/13/2011

North Hills School Board Considers Moving Ninth Grade To High School - North Hills, ...

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Also of note was a discussion on the public recognition of North Hills students participating in non-district sporting events. Some students play on teams that the school does not fund, and are lobbying to receive recognition for their achievements during board meetings. While no motion was put forward, the general consensus was that the board would form a committee that would help decide on a case-by-case basis whether recognition was appropriate. The board has recognized achievements in the past, such as those of students who had earned their Eagle Scout rank. This article originally published noting an incorrect figure for the number of ninth graders. It has been corrected. How do you feel about moving the ninth grade to the senior high? Tell us in the comments.

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Related Topics: Ninth Grade, North Hills Junior High, North Hills School District, and North Hills Senior High Email me updates about this story.
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Ruth
8:20 am on Tuesday, October 18, 2011

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Moving 9th grade to the High School is EXCELLENT plan! It will make a tremendous difference in the Growth & Development of the kids. My sons had said that while they were in school. In my opinion, 'chopping up' the education levels with 'Middle Schools', etc. might not be the best way to educate, High School Level should include 9th grade for al the reasons noted in article. I hope it happens!
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Tea Time
10:10 am on Tuesday, October 18, 2011

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After adding on tens of thousands of square feet to the Jr. High in 1998 and thousands of square feet to the Sr. High in 2006 they are now finally acknowledging that they have way too much capacity? What do they intend to do with the half empty Jr. High building now? Are they going to move the 6th grade up to the Jr. High like was proposed when the elementary consolidations were being planned? Great, now we will have 4 new half empty elementary schools! Maybe they will close another elementary school - probably West View since it is the oldest (renovated in 1998 if you can call that old).
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AmyJo Brown
1:34 pm on Tuesday, October 18, 2011

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Do ninth-graders belong with 10th, 11th and 12th grades? A lot of discussion on the school district's Facebook page (see new photos added above). What do you think?
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Sherrie Atwa
10:44 am on Thursday, October 20, 2011

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After renovating all of the school buildings in the nhsd I'd think our tax monies would be wasted by moving children. Leaving the Jr. high building half empty leaves the option open to move the sixth grades up to the Jr. high leaving the grade schools with less children, Then they'd say the schools aren't filled , having to close schools and sending kids to other schools making the class sizes bigger! See where this

http://northhills.patch.com/articles/school-board-considers-moving-ninth-grade-to-high-s...

12/13/2011

North Hills School Board Considers Moving Ninth Grade To High School - North Hills, ...

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is going? This is not in the best interest of our children! It should not matter what building the ninth graders are in. And with our technology, teachers should be able to confer with each other on the curriculum regardless of what building they are in and should be taught the same way to prepare them for college and trade process. As for these kids being exposed to a more mature social and emotional environment . Look at the world we live in ! Don't they have enough of that already. Let children be children in stead of rushing the process! The ninth graders feel as the seniors do in school as its their last year in Jr. high and that is a great accomplishment for them which boosts their self esteem. Sending them to the Sr. high is a big mistake! They would do better in the smaller environment where they can focus more on their curriculum and you would be taking all this away from them. For good reason I am opposed to this idea ,because I do not feel that in the long run it is in the best interest of our children! Leave well enough be!

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http://northhills.patch.com/articles/school-board-considers-moving-ninth-grade-to-high-s...

12/13/2011