Academic Counseling

Ninth Grade Program

As you use this information, keep in mind not just the first year of your involvement at Hanover High School but also future years. In order to help you do this, we are asking you to project ahead so that you may see, at least in part, how your four-year educational program will look. Do not attempt to do this task alone. Rather, discuss courses with your parents and with older brothers and sisters or friends who have attended Hanover High School; if you are entering ninth grade from the Richmond School, teachers there can help you. The more information you can obtain from knowledgeable people, the better program you will be able to develop.

Even though Hanover High School offers a wide variety of choices for students, we believe that it is important for a student to gain a wide range of knowledge about the teaching staff, the various departments and their offerings, the several resource centers in the school and how they are to be used. Therefore, most ninth graders are scheduled into a structured program. You will note below that in your ninth-grade year you have a rather limited number of choices. These choices are structured so that next year, when you move into the elective program, you will have a base of knowledge about the resources in the school. View your ninth grade year here at HHS as an exploratory year—a year to develop criteria for making wise choices.

Core Ninth Grade Program

The following ninth grade courses are required.

• English: All ninth graders are required to take English 9.

• Math: Ninth graders choose among Math Essentials, Introduction of Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Geometry Honors , and Algebra 2 Honors after seeking advice of their 8^th grade math teachers. More advanced math courses are possible if present math teachers so advise. A math placement test or placement by RMS teacher is required of all students.

• Science: Ninth graders choose among General Methods, Methods, and Honors Methods after seeking a recommendation from their 8^th grade science teacher. Ninth graders who plan to take Algebra I are permitted to take Methods in Science, but may find the course mathematically challenging. The recommended course for ninth graders who enroll in Geometry is Methods in Science. Ninth graders who will be taking Math Essentials or Introduction to Algebra math course are advised to enroll in General Methods in Science. Honors Methods is a course for accelerated ninth graders in science and a concurrent enrollment in Honors Geometry or higher is required.  A science placement test is required of all students.

• Social Studies: All ninth graders are required to take Citizenship and World History.
• Physical Education:  All ninth graders are required to take Physical Education.

Ninth Grade Electives

Students must understand that there are only 7 periods in the day in which to take courses and, therefore, should select no more than 7 courses including Physical Education. Many students choose to take 6. In the 22-23 school year, all ninth grade students will have two required Study Flex times. 

• Art: Design and Studio Art History are both open to ninth grade students 1^st semester. Design, is a prerequisite for studio art classes. Ninth graders who have take Design their first semester, may take other studio art classes in the second semester of their ninth grade year.  
• World Language:  Many ninth graders will elect to continue or begin a language in the first year of high school and complete 2-4 years of that language.
• Music: Several music courses are open to ninth graders without an audition or teacher approval including, Chorus, Symphonic Band, Orchestra- Non-Strings, Electronic Music, Guitar, and Pop and Rock Ensemble. Additional courses such as, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra-Strings and Jazz Ensemble, require teacher approval and/or audition to enroll. 
• Personalized Learning Programs: Students looking for a structured work environment during their school day, can enroll in Study Skills. 

Keep in mind that you will need a total of 1 (one) credit in the Fine and Practical Arts (l/2 credit must be in Fine Arts) during four years of high school.  Please see the Fine and Practical Arts Requirements Section for a full course listing.

Many of the major courses tenth graders take are either required or strongly recommended. A typical tenth grade program is outlined below with possible alternatives noted.

• English:Tenth graders take two semesters of an English elective.
• Math: Most tenth graders
• Science: Most tenth graders take General Biology, Biology or Honors Biology.
• Social Studies: All tenth graders are required to take United States History or American Experience.
• Health: A semester of Health is required for all tenth graders.
• World Language: Most tenth graders take a world language course.
• Keep in mind that you will need a total of 1 (one) credit in the Fine and Practical Arts (l/2 credit must be in Fine Arts) during four years of high school.
• Students must understand that there are only 7 periods in the day in which to take courses and, therefore, should select no more than 7 courses including one semester of health. Many students choose to take 6 courses. 
• Computer Literacy: Digital portfolios that illustrate proficiency in new and evolving technology skills or a computer science will be required for graduation. Students may not be able to complete this requirement in their tenth grade year, but should include it in their four-year plan.

Many of the major courses eleventh graders take are either required or strongly recommended. A typical eleventh grade program is outlined below with possible alternatives noted.

• English: Eleventh graders take two semesters of an English elective.
• Math: Most eleventh graders 
• Science: Most eleventh graders take Chem in the Community, Chemistry or Honors Chemistry.
• Social Studies: 
• World Language: Most eleventh graders take a world language course.
• Elective(s): Most eleventh graders take an elective course from one of the departments listed above or from the Art or Music departments.
• Keep in mind that you will need a total of 1 (one) credit in the Fine and Practical Arts (l/2 credit must be in Fine Arts) during four years of high school.
• Students must understand that there are only 7 periods in the day in which to take courses and, therefore, should select no more than 7 courses.
• Computer Literacy: Digital portfolios that illustrate proficiency in new and evolving technology skills or a computer science will be required for graduation. Students do not have to complete this requirement in their eleventh grade year, but should include it in their four-year plan.

Many of the major courses twelfth graders take are either required or strongly recommended. A typical twelfth grade program is outlined below with possible alternatives noted.

• English: Twelfth graders take two semesters of an English elective.
• Math:
• Science: Most twelfth graders take Real World Physics, Physics, Honors Physics or a science elective.
• Social Studies: Most students take at least one semester, if not two semesters, of a Social Studies elective course.
• World Language: Most twelfth graders take a World language course.
• Elective(s): Most eleventh graders take an elective course from one of the departments listed above or from the Art, Performing Arts, or PLP departments.
• Keep in mind that you will need a total of 1 (one) credit in the Fine and Practical Arts (l/2 credit must be in Fine Arts) during four years of high school.
• Students must understand that there are only 7 periods in the day in which to take courses and, therefore, should select no more than 7 courses. 
• Computer Literacy: As it is a graduation requirement, twelfth graders who have not completed their computer literacy requirement by the end of 11th grade will be enrolled automatically in their first semester. This course does not meet and therefore does not count toward a student's 7 class periods.