Why 9th Grade?

Imagine tearing down metaphorical classroom walls. Imagine raising your voice, even if it's the hard thing to do. Imagine living with your closest friends. Let us introduce you to our ninth grade program.

The program blends humanities and hard sciences to equip students with the content and collaboration skills required to succeed after IMS. Ninth graders are challenged to think critically, ask tough questions, and engage with topics that have a direct relevant impact on their lives. Combined with the leadership opportunities awaiting them, the 9th grade is far more than just the next step in an IMS education.

A Program Inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 

Starting in the fall, the ninth grade takes a course that introduces the seventeen U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The material learned in this course is then woven into a series of cross-curricular projects over the course of the year, which culminates in a capstone project––the Poquonook Solutions Symposium. The project challenges student groups to develop original, viable solutions to real world issues. They are then tasked with presenting them to a panel of experts at the symposium.

Leadership Opportunities

  • Dormitory Prefects
  • Peer Mentors
  • Team Captains
  • Club Leaders
  • Wilderness Trip Leaders
  • Lunch Table Proctors

This We Believe

Unique to the ninth grade year is our “This I Believe” speeches that chronicle the personal guiding beliefs and values held by each of our ninth graders. Seen as a culminating moment for the personal development of a student’s time at IMS, the delivery of these speeches in front of peers fosters incredible trust and ultimately brings us closer as a community.