Awards and High School Recommendations
9th Grade Honors English Recommendation
ENGLISH 9 HONORS (0102) Grade 9 1.0 credit 1 year (Excerpt from the PTHS Course Description Book)
Prerequisite: “A” in the previous academic course(s) and Teacher Recommendation
At an accelerated pace, this course deals with a review of the nature and structure of the language. The students complete
literary analyses of novels, dramas, short stories, and poetry. A unit of library skills is followed by library projects
throughout the year. Students develop writing skills through experiences with various types of writing, and they practice
techniques of group discussion.
Honors English 9 teaches the curriculum at a quicker pace and in greater detail than the Academic level. We
want to ensure that students who can handle this heavy work load independently and successfully are placed in
this course. The high school requires a minimum of an A average and “teacher’s recommendation.” To earn this
recommendation, the following criteria must have been met by the end of the 2nd QUARTER (in January):

Differentiated Enrichment: There is only one “level” of Language Arts 8. Students who wish to pursue
placement in Honors English 9 at the high school should challenge themselves within this class. When an
enrichment assignment is offered, students who wish to be recommended for Honors will complete it and
the score will be added into their accumulative grade. Examples of how students can be challenged and
enriched include the following:
o Tests: There may be a higher level test offered to those students wishing to be in Honors 9
o Extra Writing: There will be an Honors essay assigned during the year.
o Enriched topics for individual research and reading will be given to students who qualify and wish
to be challenged
o Homework: Students have completed all homework assignments to an A average standard.

Accelerated Reader: There are no extra AR requirements for students seeking an Honors
recommendation. Please know that Honors English 9 will have more independent reading than the
Academic level, so we encourage you to challenge yourself to read longer books, higher level books,
and/or more books than the requirement.

Average grade for first two marking periods is 90%
o Students must have a 90% average at the end of the first semester to earn the teacher’s
recommendation at the time of scheduling. As long as that average does not drop below 90% by
the end of the year, the recommendation for Honors will remain. Consideration may be given to
students who fall short of the final grade standard who have otherwise demonstrated their
readiness for Honors English 9 through the completion of differentiated enrichment options over
the course of the school year.
Awards and High School Recommendations
Changing of Recommendations
Any student who does not continue to meet Honors requirements in the second semester (January through June)
will be removed from Honors 9. Students must maintain their A average and continue to complete enriched
assignments as explained above.
For select students who show significant improvement throughout the second semester, the initial
recommendation can be changed. All of the above assignments MUST have been satisfactorily completed;
however, if a student raises his or her year average to 90% by the end of the year, the teacher MAY change his or
her initial recommendation and move the student into an Honors section.
For students who do NOT complete the above requirements but who still wish to be in an Honors section of 9th
grade English, parents may contact the high school guidance office in February to petition their child into the
desired section.
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I have read the 8th grade recommendations and understand that this is an option for my child,
______________________________, to pursue in their 8th grade school year.
(please print student’s name)
Student Signature: _________________________
Parent Signature: : ____________________________________ Date: _________________