Student Life

Ninth Grade Experience

Freshman Year

List of 1 items.

  • Navigating the Transition

    More than half of every ninth grade class is new to Sage Hill, arriving from public and private middle schools across Orange County. The Ninth Grade Experience exists so that no one spends the fall figuring out where they fit. Within the first month, every freshman spends three days at a retreat with their advisory group and their advisor, a faculty member who will meet with them weekly for the rest of the year. Twice a week, Conference hours give students one-on-one time with teachers. Wellness seminars cover study skills, stress, and the transition itself. Two courses every ninth grader takes, Patterns of Civilization and Arts Survey, mean that students who came from different schools start on the same footing. 

Meet the Dean

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  • Photo of Elizabeth Anauld

    Elizabeth Anauld 

    English Teacher, Ninth Grade Dean

Highlights of the Ninth Grade Experience

List of 9 items.

  • Advisory

    Groups of approximately 10-12 students and one faculty or staff advocate meet weekly, with individual student/advisor meetings as needed.

  • Ninth Grade Retreat

    For three days during the first month of school, students bond with their classmates and their advisors in a relaxed mountain setting.

  • Challenging Curriculum

    In addition to core academic courses, all ninth graders take our unique Patterns of Civilization and Arts Survey courses, which lay an important learning foundation and expose students to a variety of disciplines.

  • College Guidance

    Our dedicated Dean of Ninth and Tenth Grade College Counseling works with students to design a flexible four-year plan for their Sage Hill experience, and parents are invited to college counseling coffees for introductory guidance.

  • Individual Support

    Twice-weekly Conference hours offer dedicated time for students to work one-on-one with their teachers. Teachers and peer tutors are also available in the Academic Resource Center throughout the week.

  • Ninth Grade Wellness Seminars

    Regular wellness meetings foster skills necessary for academic and personal success, such as study skills, stress-reduction, leadership and internet safety.

  • Ninth Grade X Blocks

    X Block is a time when we hold class meetings, clubs will meet and students can collaborate on group projects.
    Read More

  • Service Learning Program

    The ninth grade Service Learning experience is centered around developing a deeper understanding of communities around us through a lens of cross-cultural competency, equity and justice. 
    Read More

  • Ongoing Communication

    A monthly e-newsletter, informational ninth grade parent coffees and other events ensure that families know what’s happening at Sage Hill.

Sage Hill School

A college preparatory independent day school for grades 7-12.

20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657
Phone: 949.219.0100  |  Fax: 949.219.1399
Sage Hill School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and athletic and other School administered programs.