Ninth grade

Ninth grade (called Grade 9 or Year 9 in some regions, also known as freshman year in the U.S.) is the ninth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 14 years old. High school is often used instead of senior high school and distinguished from junior high school. However, in some parts of the USA, Canada and Australia's Northern Territory, ninth grade is the final year of junior high school/middle school.

In the United States of America, ninth grade is the first year in which grades are used in determining a student’s GPA, and become part of a student’s official transcript. Future employers or colleges may want to see steady improvement in grades and a good attendance record on the official transcript. Therefore, students obtain much more control of their education and may even choose their core classes.

Its English equivalent is Year 10, a relatively new terminology, replacing the 20th century traditional term Fourth Year being the fourth year of secondary education. In Northern Ireland, fourteen to fifteen year-olds are in Fourth Form (Year 11). In Scotland, it is equivalent to Third Year, or S3. In most cities of Brazil, ninth grade is the first year of high school. In the country, the time for elementary school were recently raised from 8 to 9 years, and in these locations, the minimum age required for the Ninth and final grade is 14 years, to be completed before April 30 of the same year. In 'Year 10' in the England and Wales and Fourth Form (Year 11) in Northern Ireland, students enrol in their first year of their GCSE course and may pick their subjects in school. In Scotland, students generally start studying for their Standards.

In Australian states other than New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania and Victoria, ninth grade is the second year of high school. In those states it is the third year of high school.

In New Zealand it is also called year 10 or form 4, with students being from 13 to 15 years of age.

In the mathematics curriculum, ninth graders are usually taught Geometry and/or Algebra I. Advanced courses (such as Algebra II in the US) are usually available to ninth graders depending on the school district and who are prepared for a more rigorous curriculum.