{"id":5237,"date":"2026-07-28T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/?page_id=5237"},"modified":"2026-08-11T19:49:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T19:49:15","slug":"9th-grade-on-track","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/9th-grade-on-track\/","title":{"rendered":"9th Grade On-Track: The Most Powerful Predictor of High School Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-9th-grade-on-track-the-most-powerful-predictor-of-high-school-success\">9th Grade On-Track: The Most Powerful Predictor of High School Success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-how-9-th-nbsp-grade-nbsp-on-track-programs-have-nbsp-increased-graduation-rates-across-arizona\">How 9<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;Grade&nbsp;On-Track Programs have&nbsp;increased graduation rates across Arizona<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"9th Grade On-Track Makes a Difference\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wKFqidDprbo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">With significant&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ktar.com\/arizona-education\/freshmen-on-track-to-graduate\/5726179\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">investment<\/a>&nbsp;from the Arizona State Legislature in recent years,&nbsp;9th Grade On-Track&nbsp;programs are taking off across the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Across&nbsp;the state, school districts including Tolleson Union, Phoenix Union,&nbsp;Mesa Public Schools, Casa Grade&nbsp;Union, Holbrook Unified, and more&nbsp;have begun implementing this program.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=D712RjkhL2M\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The data is clear.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">First-year success is crucial to on-time high school graduation.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/highschoolsuccess.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">On-track status is a better predictor of high school success than race, gender, socioeconomic status, or test scores.<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">What does that mean?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Traditionally, schools have worked to intercept students in 12<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;grade\u2014or senior year\u2014when they are not on track to graduate\u2014meaning they don\u2019t have all of their prerequisites complete or have failed enough classes that they are at risk of not making it to graduation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">9<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;Grade On-Track&nbsp;flips&nbsp;to&nbsp;focus on helping&nbsp;students&nbsp;succeed during their freshman&nbsp;year&nbsp;by helping students finish this critical year with at least a quarter of their credits needed to graduate and having failed no more than one class.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.azed.gov\/titleiv-a\/arizona-9th-grade-track-grant-project\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">With statewide grant opportunities,<\/a> schools have been able to invest in counselors, resources, and data collection that helps them make sure 9<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;grade students are&nbsp;starting on track.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">And the results have been&nbsp;astonishing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Reductions in chronic absenteeism, improved student behavior, boosts in teacher retention, and&nbsp;stronger&nbsp;career&nbsp;and&nbsp;technical education pathways.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Across Phoenix Union High School District, the number of students earning college credit increased by more than 300%.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium has-lightbox\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ArizonaStand\/status\/2064387798522634630?s=20\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/HKYfJToa8AAB1MB-300x180.png\" alt=\"Increase in enrollment in dual enrollment classes in the Phoenix Union district since 9th Grade On-Track was introduced. \" class=\"wp-image-5238\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/HKYfJToa8AAB1MB-300x180.png 300w, https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/HKYfJToa8AAB1MB-60x36.png 60w, https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/HKYfJToa8AAB1MB.png 762w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">With investment coming out to around $150 per student each year,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.yourvalley.net\/stories\/arizona-districts-awarded-9th-grade-on-track-grants,680052\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">9<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;Grade&nbsp;On-Track is a low cost solution for a huge impact.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Want to keep up on schools that are implementing this program and learn how to advocate&nbsp;for&nbsp;9th Grade On-Track&nbsp;in your school district?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-d565fcec wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color-color has-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/act.stand.org\/a\/9got?sourceid=1134292\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Join Us<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Are you a school board member or superintendent looking for more information on&nbsp;if&nbsp;9th Grade On-Track&nbsp;is right for your district?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-d565fcec wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color-color has-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/act.stand.org\/a\/9got-info?sourceid=1134292\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Connect with us<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-read-more\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-post-grid-parent ultp-post-grid-parent\" data-grids=\"[{&quot;blockId&quot;:&quot;e85a64&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;ultimate-post_post-grid-1&quot;}]\" data-pagi=\"[]\"><div  class=\"ultp-post-grid-block wp-block-ultimate-post-post-grid-1 ultp-block-e85a64\"><div class=\"ultp-block-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-loading\"><div class=\"ultp-loading-blocks\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;\"><div style=\"left: 0;top: 0;animation-delay:0s;\"><\/div><div style=\"left: 21px;top: 0;animation-delay:0.125s;\"><\/div><div style=\"left: 42px;top: 0;animation-delay:0.25s;\"><\/div><div style=\"left: 0;top: 21px;animation-delay:0.875s;\"><\/div><div style=\"left: 42px;top: 21px;animation-delay:0.375s;\"><\/div><div style=\"left: 0;top: 42px;animation-delay:0.75s;\"><\/div><div style=\"left: 42px;top: 42px;animation-delay:0.625s;\"><\/div><div style=\"left: 21px;top: 42px;animation-delay:0.5s;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ultp-block-items-wrap ultp-block-row ultp-pg1a-style1 ultp-grid1-responsive ultp-block-column-2 ultp-sm-column-2 ultp-xs-column-1 ultp-layout2\"><div class=\"ultp-block-item post-id-5366\"><div class=\"ultp-block-content-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-block-content-image\" style=background-image:url(https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/First-Day-of-School-9GOT-870x570.png)><\/div><div class=\"ultp-block-content\"><div class=\"ultp-block-meta ultp-block-meta-dot ultp-block-meta-icon\"><span class=\"ultp-block-date ultp-block-meta-element\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n  <path stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M3 5.5a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h14a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v14a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2v-14ZM8 2v3m8-3v3M3 9h18\"\/>\n<\/svg>\nAug 3, 2026<\/span><\/div><h6 class=\"ultp-block-title \"><a href=\"https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/our-stories\/arizona-students-celebrate-first-day-of-school-with-new-9th-grade-on-track-programs\/\" target=\"_blank\">Arizona\u00a0Students Celebrate First Day of School with\u00a0New 9th\u00a0Grade On-Track Programs\u00a0<\/a><\/h6><div class=\"ultp-block-excerpt\"><p>This year,\u00a0more than\u00a020,000 students\u00a0will\u00a0return to schools with\u00a09th\u00a0Grade On-Track programs\u00a0due to $3.4\u00a0million\u00a0of grant funding included in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.\u00a0This is up from\u00a04,900 students\u00a0during the 2025-2026 school year\u00a0who\u00a0attended schools with&hellip;<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"ultp-block-readmore\"><a aria-label=\"Arizona\u00a0Students Celebrate First Day of School with\u00a0New 9th\u00a0Grade On-Track Programs\u00a0\" href=\"https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/our-stories\/arizona-students-celebrate-first-day-of-school-with-new-9th-grade-on-track-programs\/\" target=\"_blank\">Continue Reading<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n  <path stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"m12 20.5 8.5-8.5m0 0L12 3.5m8.5 8.5h-17\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ultp-block-item post-id-4323\"><div class=\"ultp-block-content-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-block-content-image\" style=><\/div><div class=\"ultp-block-content\"><div class=\"ultp-block-meta ultp-block-meta-dot ultp-block-meta-icon\"><span class=\"ultp-block-date ultp-block-meta-element\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n  <path stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M3 5.5a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h14a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v14a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2v-14ZM8 2v3m8-3v3M3 9h18\"\/>\n<\/svg>\nNov 6, 2025<\/span><\/div><h6 class=\"ultp-block-title \"><a href=\"https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/our-stories\/grant-applications-for-9th-grade-on-track-funding-are-now-open\/\" target=\"_blank\">Grant Applications for 9th Grade On-Track Funding are Now Open\u00a0<\/a><\/h6><div class=\"ultp-block-excerpt\"><p>School districts can now apply for grants to implement evidence-based programs to improve on-track rates&nbsp; Arizona &#8211; This week, the Arizona Department of Education published a Request for Proposals for&hellip;<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"ultp-block-readmore\"><a aria-label=\"Grant Applications for 9th Grade On-Track Funding are Now Open\u00a0\" href=\"https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/our-stories\/grant-applications-for-9th-grade-on-track-funding-are-now-open\/\" target=\"_blank\">Continue Reading<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n  <path stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"m12 20.5 8.5-8.5m0 0L12 3.5m8.5 8.5h-17\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"pagination-block-html\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-in-the-news\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>In the News:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7ac95f5d wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6ddf35ac wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;background-color:#f7f7f7;min-height:250px;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<p>Daily Independent &#8211; August 11, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-9th-grade-on-track-grows-statewide-despite-uncertain-future-funding\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-size:15px\">9th Grade On-Track grows statewide despite uncertain future funding<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-bottom:0\">Freshman students at more Arizona high schools will have access to academic support programs this school year after lawmakers approved $3.4 million in fiscal year 2026 &#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-d565fcec wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color-color has-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yourvalley.net\/stories\/9th-grade-on-track-grows-statewide-despite-uncertain-future-funding,709245\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Continue Reading<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-eb8b826f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;background-color:#f7f7f7;min-height:250px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<p>Daily Independent &#8211; Nov. 12, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default\" id=\"h-grants-to-help-ninth-graders-succeed-now-open-to-arizona-districts\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;font-size:14px\">Grants to help ninth-graders succeed now open to Arizona districts<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The Arizona Department of Education has opened grant applications for school districts to implement\u00a09th Grade On-Track programs, an initiative designed to help &#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-d565fcec wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color-color has-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yourvalley.net\/stories\/9th-grade-on-track-grants-open-to-arizona-districts,632094\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Continue Reading<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-card has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ff778368 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;background-color:#f7f7f7;min-height:250px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<p>ABC15 &#8211; May 9, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-freshman-house-program-is-improving-graduation-rates-in-phoenix\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-size:15px\">How &#8216;Freshman House&#8217; program is improving graduation rates in Phoenix<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-bottom:0\">Five years ago, the Phoenix Union High School District started a program called&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pxu.org\/o\/chss\/page\/freshmen-house\">Freshman House<\/a>, trying to improve graduation rates &#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-d565fcec wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color-color has-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc15.com\/how-freshman-house-program-is-improving-graduation-rates-in-phoenix\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Continue Reading<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6ddf35ac wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;background-color:#f7f7f7;min-height:250px;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<p>Daily Independent &#8211; June 10, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-9th-grade-on-track-helped-me-i-want-all-students-to-benefit-opinion\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-size:15px\">9th Grade On-Track helped me; I want all students to benefit &#8211; Opinion<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-bottom:0\">When I first enrolled in Camelback High School as a freshman, I was nervous. Everyone talks about how difficult the transition is between middle and high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-d565fcec wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color-color has-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yourvalley.net\/stories\/9th-grade-on-track-helped-me-i-want-all-students-to-benefit,697138\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Continue Reading<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-card has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ff778368 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;background-color:#f7f7f7;min-height:250px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<p>KTAR &#8211; July 9, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-arizona-budget-includes-3-4m-to-help-high-school-freshman-get-on-track-to-graduate\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-size:14px\">Arizona budget includes $3.4M to help high school freshman get on track to graduate<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-bottom:0\">The new Arizona state budget includes $3.4 million to help high school freshmen stay on track to graduate on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-d565fcec wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color-color has-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ktar.com\/arizona-education\/freshmen-on-track-to-graduate\/5726179\/\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Continue Reading<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ff778368 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;background-color:#f7f7f7;min-height:250px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<p>Daily Independent &#8211; April 14, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-arizona-districts-awarded-9th-grade-on-track-grants\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-size:15px\">Arizona districts awarded 9th Grade On-Track grants<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-bottom:0\">Several Arizona school districts \u2014 including Phoenix Union High School District, Mesa Public Schools, Tolleson Union, J.O. Combs Unified, and Apache Junction Unified &#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-d565fcec wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color-color has-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yourvalley.net\/stories\/arizona-districts-awarded-9th-grade-on-track-grants,680052\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Continue Reading<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-card has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ff778368 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;background-color:#f7f7f7;min-height:250px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<p>Arizona Republic &#8211; June 14, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-like-in-harry-potter-phoenix-camelback-high-school-freshmen-split-into-houses\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-size:14px\">&#8216;Like in Harry Potter&#8217;: Phoenix Camelback High School freshmen split into &#8216;houses&#8217;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-bottom:0\">Phoenix Union High School District is building a stronger foundation for incoming students by restructuring freshman year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-d565fcec wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color-color has-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.azcentral.com\/story\/news\/local\/phoenix\/2025\/06\/14\/phoenix-high-school-adopts-harry-potter-model\/84079215007\/\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Continue Reading<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>9th Grade On-Track: The Most Powerful Predictor of High School Success How 9th&nbsp;Grade&nbsp;On-Track Programs have&nbsp;increased graduation rates across Arizona With significant&nbsp;investment&nbsp;from the Arizona State Legislature in recent years,&nbsp;9th Grade On-Track&nbsp;programs are taking off across the state.&nbsp;&nbsp; Across&nbsp;the state, school districts including Tolleson Union, Phoenix Union,&nbsp;Mesa Public Schools, Casa Grade&nbsp;Union, Holbrook Unified, and more&nbsp;have begun implementing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_hide_page_title":true,"color_schema":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5237","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.9 (Yoast SEO v27.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>9th Grade On-Track: The Most Powerful Predictor of High School Success<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn more about 9th Grade On-Track and how the program has helped improve high school success throughout Arizona.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/stand.org\/arizona\/9th-grade-on-track\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"9th Grade On-Track: The Most Powerful Predictor of High School Success Check out this information from Stand for Children Arizona\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"%Title% was a great read! 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