Grade 9 Planning for Academics & Sports

Please fill out the form below to indicate your math and foreign language choices as well as sports selections. An asterisk (*) indicates that a course requires a placement test.

Academic and Sports Preferences Form

Student First Name

Student Last Name

REQUIRED classes from which 9th graders can choose:

Mathematics

If other:

Final placement will be determined by the Math Department.

Foreign Language

Final placement will be determined by the Foreign Language Department.

*indicates that this course requires a placement test for students new to Gilmour

ELECTIVE Choices

How many study halls?

Fall

Spring

Please select the sports you plan to play or have any interest in playing during the 2025-26 academic year. This will allow the athletic administrators to plan accordingly for the upcoming seasons.

You may compete in multiple sports during the same season.

Fall Sports - BOYS

Fall Sports - GIRLS

Winter Sports - BOYS

Winter Sports - GIRLS

Spring Sports - BOYS

Spring Sports - GIRLS

Other sports you’d like to play that are NOT listed above:

Other sports/activities you’re currently involved in:

Schedule Meeting with Counselor

Electives List

Course Selection

List of 3 items.

Overview
- Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 6 classes each semester.
- During the first semester, we strongly recommend that 9th grade students enroll in no more than 7 classes. This will allow you to have a study hall giving you access to our Math, Science, and Writing Help desks.
- Commonly, ninth graders take Health for their seventh course in a given semester. You may choose to delay this to enroll in another elective.
- Courses are year-long unless stated otherwise.
Classes required for all 9th graders

ENGLISH: English 9
SOCIAL STUDIES: Ancient Cultures (one semester only)
SCIENCE: Physics
THEOLOGY: Foundations of Faith
Elective Options
- Required courses will fill 6 of the 8 blocks available for scheduling in each semester. The remaining blocks can be used for study hall or for taking electives.
- 9^th grade students have three options for their 7^th and 8^th blocks:
  - two study halls (to have one each day),
  - one study hall (every other day) and one elective,
  - two electives.
- You can view our online Course Catalog for more information about elective classes and you can make final elective choices when your family has their scheduling appointment.

Course Catalog

Department

Summer Institute

List of 4 items.

Health (Virtual)

Dr. James Gutowski, Director of Academic Services; Instructor of Latin, Upper School
JUNE 3-AUGUST 9

This is a comprehensive health course, covering topics of mental and emotional health, nutrition and physical activity, social health and relationships, sexual health, personal health and disease, substances and abuse, and injury prevention and safety. This class is graded on a pass/fail basis and students must earn a minimum score of 70% to pass. Because this course is 100% virtual, students may complete the work whenever convenient to them. Final exams must be proctored in person by Dr. Gutowski. All final exams must be completed by August 9. This class fulfills the health graduation requirement.
Learning Skills Enrichment

Instructor: Mrs. Whitney Day, Chief Mission Integration Officer
JULY 6-16

This class prepares incoming ninth graders for the high school curriculum. Students will examine their learning styles and develop skills in time management, organization, note taking, studying and test taking. The course will also explore the importance of critical thinking, problem solving and active reading.

Please note: A minimum of six (6) students must register
Speech
Instructor: Mrs. Carol Ryan, Instructor in Speech, MS & US; Director of Speech and Debate Program
JUNE 20-31

This class is designed to further students' effective public speaking skills regardless of their skill level on day one. Students will learn to be memorable public speakers through consistent use of organizational structure, eloquent speech delivery and confidence from practiced experience. Students will explore theory, engage in pragmatic practice and improve their delivery skills as the class investigates six core units:
Knowledge Acquired (Primary Assessment)
1. Public Speaking Base Level Skills (Impromptu)
2. Understanding Your Audience (Extemporaneous)
3. Greeks, Romans and Impact of Rhetoric Today (Informative, Visual Content Creation)
4. Persuasion (Position Paper, Persuasive Speech, Debate)
5. Interpersonal and Organizational Speaking (De-escalation, Interviewing)
Impromptu speaking is this course's pragmatic base, preparing students to vocalize their competence and courage in any professional or personal pursuit. Opportunities for presenting impromptu speeches will occur throughout the semester.

Students who enjoy this introduction to the art of public speaking may wish to continue into competitive speech.

The class fulfills the speech graduation requirement. Please note: A minimum of six (6) students must register by May 1 for this course to run.

No prerequisite.
Summer Catalyst 2026

Instructor: Dr. Neena Goel, Instructor of Science, US
JUNE 1-JULY 31

Catalyst is a research externship in which students are paired with scientist mentors at prominent institutions throughout the Greater Cleveland area. Students spend a minimum of 40 hours per week working on an authentic research project at a site assigned based upon student interest and abilities. Weekly journaling and participation in a research symposium are included among course requirements. The program is designed to help students discover the nature of science, think critically in a research context and effectively communicate scientific information to various audiences. Catalyst demands of the students a high degree of independence, responsibility and initiative. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and parking fees. Must have permission of instructor and registration code from Dr. Goel.

Enrollment limited to 6 . . . Register early.