Rising 9th Grade Registration Information

Click Here to Access the 26-27 AP Booklet

Click Here to access the Carnegie Unit Presentation

Click Here to access the Carnegie Unit Charts

Click Here to access 9th Grade Core Offerings

Click Here to Access Elective Offerings

Example #1:		Example #2:
53.0371001 INT BAND I		17.0110001 HEALTH
53.0371002 INT BAND I		36.0510001 PERSONAL FITNESS
17.0110001 HEALTH		23.0610041 LIT & COMP I
36.0510001 PERSONAL FITNESS		23.0610042 LIT & COMP I
23.0616041 LIT & COMP I HON		27.0821041 ACCEL GEOMETRY C&C
23.0616042 LIT & COMP I HON		27.0821042 ACCEL GEOMETRY C&C
27.0811001 ALGEBRA: CONC & CONN		26.0120001 BIOLOGY
27.0811002 ALGEBRA: CONC & CONN		26.0120002 BIOLOGY
60.0120041 SPANISH II HON
60.0120042 SPANISH II HON
26.0120001 BIOLOGY
26.0120002 BIOLOGY
*** Student has a full schedule in course requests but will still need to choose 3 alternates in the 9th grade Schedule Confirmation/Change form, which students can find on the Student Registration website (only viewable to student GCPS accounts.)		**Student only has 8 course requests listed and will need to complete the 9th grade Schedule Confirmation/Change form, which students can find on the Student Registration website (only viewable to student GCPS accounts.)

Click Here to Access the NGHS Course Booklet

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Do I have to take Health/PE during my 9th grade year?

No, you must take it prior to graduating from high school. It is a graduation requirement. You can take it any summer prior to graduation. Summer School costs are $250 per course and the courses can be taken in person or online. Online options are available through NGHS Community School, Gwinnett Online Campus and Georgia Virtual School. In-person option is available through GCPS Summer School. 

2. How many classes do high school students take a semester? 

High School Students take 6 classes each semester for a total of 12 for the whole year. 

3. How many credits do students need to graduate from high school? 

Students need 23 total credits to graduate from high school in a variety of areas. At the end of each year, a student should earn 6 credits for a total of 24 credits. 

4. If I have enough credits, do I have to take a full load (6 classes) every year?

 Every student must be enrolled in 6 classes each semester regardless of the number of credits he/she currently has; we offer Dual Enrollment and Work Based Learning courses for upper-classmen. 

5. Can I change a class if I don’t like it? 

No, you can’t change a class past the May 28th deadline. All schedule change requests must be submitted by the deadline and requests after the deadline will not be granted. More information on how to drop a class will be provided with the mailed home course verification sheet in May. 

6. Can I change a class at the semester break? 

No, we have year-long scheduling at the high school, so think carefully about which elective you are signing up for next year. 

7. Should I take another language as my elective in 9th grade?

A minimum of two years of coursework in the same modern or classical language is required for admission to Georgia four-year colleges and universities. Many students enjoy language courses and take them all four years in high school. Specific out-of-state colleges require up to four years of modern or classical language study. Beginning study of another language in the 9th grade allows you to take additional years of study if you want or need these classes.

8. If I need help with a class, how can I get help? 

Your teacher and their course team will post tutoring hours before and after school as well as during certain lunch periods. Our National Honor Society also has peer tutors who are available for tutoring as well. We also have Bulldog time in which students can get additional help during the school day. Bulldog period is scheduled between 3rd & 4th periods. 

9.  If I have enough credits, do I have to take a full load (6 classes) every year?

 Every student must be enrolled in 6 classes each semester regardless of the number of credits he/she currently has; we offer Dual Enrollment and Work Based Learning courses for upper-classmen. 

10.   Which is more important: high GPA, rigorous courses, or high SAT/ACT           scores?

A combination/healthy balance of all.

11.  How many AP courses are recommended?

Our goal is for every student to take at least one AP Course while at North. The total a student takes depends on the strengths and interests of the individual student. You should visit college websites for more information about credits awarded. 

12.   What are the requirements for HOPE?

These vary from year to year so the best resources are the NGHS Counseling Office Parent Nights in the Fall and Spring and www.gsfc.org (Georgia Student Finance Commission). 

13.   I want to make sure I’m ready for college. How do I decide what classes to   take?

The best advice…Challenge yourself to take the toughest classes in which you can be successful. You’ll be better prepared for success in college and many colleges consider the difficulty of an applicant’s high school curriculum in making admission decisions.    

14.   When do my grades start “counting” for my college applications?

It’s important for you to know that 9th grade is not a “practice year” when it comes to grades. In other words, your freshman grades count just as much as the grades you earn as a junior or senior, and college admissions officers will see all of those grades on your high school transcript. All high school grades are factored into your GPA and Cumulative GPA*. All grades in your academic courses count toward eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship program.

15.   I can see my grades will be important from the very beginning. How can I  make sure I’ll do well in my classes?

Your teachers, your counselor, and your family will all be behind you and encourage you to do your best work from the first day, but a lot of your success in high school depends on you!

16.   What are some things I can do at home?

Be organized, and keep up with homework assignments and projects. Study class lecture notes to review what was taught in class, even when you do not have assigned homework in a subject. Begin studying for a test several days ahead, so you have time to review the material and retain it.

17.   If I am not doing well in a course, what should I do?

The first step is to speak to your classroom teacher and set up a time before or after school (or during lunch, depending upon your schedule) for extra help from your teacher. You also may sign up for student tutoring sessions. If you need additional suggestions, schedule an appointment with your school counselor.

18.   If I am failing a class, can I drop it mid-semester?

No. Dropping a class mid-semester is not an option.

19.   How do I make up a course if I fail?

Courses can be made up during summer school, through Phoenix High School courses after the school day, or through Gwinnett County Online Campus outside of the school day. Some courses can be made up through credit recovery during the school year. See your counselor for more information.

20.  If a student fails a course and retakes the course, is the first failed grade canceled out?

No. Once a student earns a semester grade, it will never be removed from the academic record (transcript). Required courses must be retaken if failed. Both semester grades will be a part of the academic record and the high school grade percent average, and also will be considered for HOPE scholarship eligibility.

21.   When will I have an opportunity to take elective courses that interest me?   What electives can I take? 

Once you fulfill the requirements for Health and PE – either during the school year or in summer school, you will have more flexibility in your schedule. Elective courses are available in academic areas, fine arts, technical education and PE/fitness. Many students consider possible careers and select elective courses accordingly. If you are interested in taking classes at Maxwell High School of Technology or in the Grayson High School Technical Education Program, schedule an appointment with your school counselor to determine when you can best fit these courses into your high school schedule. If you are interested in visual or performing arts (for instance, band, drama, or photography), and hope to pursue a scholarship in the arts, you may choose to take these elective courses every year. However, taking additional electives will require careful planning. See your school counselor for more information. Notes: Some technical education courses meet the requirements for a fourth science credit, a state requirement. Please see your counselor for details.

22.   How long is a typical class period? How long do I have between classes? 

In a typical school year, each class period is 47 minutes with 7 minutes between each class period for transition. 

23.   When does school start and end?

1st period starts at 7:10 am and 7th period ends at 2:10 pm. The school day is divided into 7 periods with 1 period being designated as lunch.

24.   Why does high school start so early?

The time of day high school begins is determined by the bus schedule in that school cluster. High schools begin earlier and get out earlier than other schools in the cluster, allowing students to participate in afterschool sports and activities.

25.   If I have enough credits, can I graduate early?  

Yes.

26.   When are final exams?

Final exams have two parts – performance (written) and multiple-choice. Final multiple-choice exams are given in the last few days of the semester and each one is approximately two hours long. Students take two exams per day, and are released early on those exam days. For courses with a state-required End of Course Test (EOC), that exam is the multiple-choice final.

🎥 Click here to watch the video on registration info for upcoming 9th graders

Rising 9th Grade Presentation (1/29/2026) - Use Links Below

1️⃣ Part 1

2️⃣ Part 2

📺 View Course Requests Video (Below)