Episode #12
The Make-or-Break Year: What Happens When Schools Rethink Ninth Grade? [Narrated Story]
For many students, the transition from middle school to high school can feel overwhelming. New classes. New expectations. New hallways. And, for some students, a growing sense that they don’t quite belong. But what if the key to a successful freshman year isn’t just academic support — but connection? In this story, narrated by Daniel, a junior at Neah-Kah-Nie High School, we follow the school’s effort to rethink what ninth grade can look like. With support from Northwest Regional ESD’s 9th Grade Success Network, educators are using Link Crew to connect freshmen with upperclassmen, develop student leaders and create a culture where students feel safe, supported and ready to thrive. Hear the story of how one coastal Oregon high school is discovering that when students are given meaningful opportunities to connect and lead, they can change not only their own experience but the culture of an entire school. Read this story.
