Garden City Public Schools

Honors Criteria – Grade 9

After 8th grade third quarter grades are submitted, students will be invited to enroll in an Honors course if they have:

• a subject area average of 95 or higher and
• a 90 on the benchmark assessment(s) when applicable and
• teacher recommendation

Students with a subject area average of at least a 92 can appeal to be in an Honors level course by completing the Honors Appeals Google Form in late Spring. The appeal period ends by the last day of the school year.  Each department will work with 8th grade teachers to review student performance with an emphasis on the benchmark assessments. Parents will then be notified about the outcome of the appeal.

For Science only: Students taking Science 8 will only be placed in the Earth Science Regents course. We do not offer Honors level in Earth Science. Students who take the Earth Science Regents course in 8th grade will be preliminarily placed in Living Environment Honors based on a subject area average of 95, benchmark assessments, and teacher recommendation. Students can complete the Opt-in/Opt-out Honors Google Form to self-select placement without appeal. The form must be completed by the last day of the school year. Please contact the Science Curriculum Coordinator if you have questions about the rigors of the Honors program.