Join us in Sioux Falls for the Good Work of Increasing Freshman Success!
June 25-26, 2025 | 8:30am - 3:45pm
Sioux Falls, SD, at Jefferson High School
Breakfast and lunch Included on both days
Select a strand of focus for this two-day event!
$495 per ticket
Breakfast, lunch, conversation, and connections are included both days.
We look forward to seeing you for an immersive two days of professional development and collaboration at The 9th Grade Opportunity Conference
10% off for groups of five or more!
Attendees at this two-day conference will select two topics to explore deeply. They will attend four 75-minute sessions, two sessions for each topic. Sessions will be interactive and constructive so that each team can develop specific action items to deploy during the 2025-2026 school year.
Select TWO topics from the below list!
Going Beyond the Content: Instilling character and motivating freshmen through relationships and life application.
Assessment for Learning: Practices that delve into the heart of our efforts to ensure freshmen learn.
Checkpoints During Year One: 7 essential phases of the year that foster freshman success.
The Level Table: A framework to help teams collaborate successfully with each other and with data for impact.
On your registration form, each attendee can select from the following strands:
Strand A - The Level Table Framework & Going Beyond the Content
Strand B - Assessment for Learning & The Bridge to 10th Grade
Strand C - The Level Table Framework & The Bridge to 10th Grade
Strand D - Assessment for Learning & Going Beyond the Content
PARTICIPANTS WILL . . .
Select two topics related to freshman success and explore these topics deeply.
The Level Table Framework
Going Beyond the Content
The Bridge to 10th Grade
Assessment for Learning
Districts who send teams of teachers will have the opportunity to develop action plans
Learn how to deploy building resources to increase freshman success
Examine the return on investment when transforming schools from the bottom up
Create a building culture that supports and encourages teachers of freshmen
Network with other districts that value freshmen
Unpack the structures of a freshman academy
Explore powerful strategies for improving the overall performance of freshmen
This event is hosted at Jefferson High School, built in 2021
Schedule
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
8:00 - 8:30 Check-in, breakfast, and coffee service
8:30 - 10:30 General Session
10:45 - 11:45 Open Topic Breakout Sessions
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch (Onsite, Included)
1:00 - 2:15 Focus Session #1
2:15 - 2:30 Break
2:30 - 3:45 Focus Session #2
Thursday, June 26, 2025
8:00 - 8:30 Check-in, breakfast, and coffee service
8:30 - 9:30 General Session
9:30 - 9:45 Break
9:45 - 10:45 Open Topic Breakout Sessions
10:45 - 11:00 Break
11:00 - 12:15 Focus Session #1
12:15 - 1:15 Lunch (Onsite, included)
1:15 - 2:30 Focus Session #2
2:30 - 2:45 Break
2:45 - 3:45 Team Debrief and Action Plan
Speakers
Todd Novak
The Freshman Academy Coordinator @ Jefferson High School, 2021 - present | Sioux Falls, SD
13 years as a Freshman Academy Coordinator @ Washington High School | Sioux Falls, SD
Model School Presenter - Washington, D.C. | 2019
TEDx Talk: My Life Among Freshmen and the Adults Who Teach Them
District Recognition Video: Staff Stars - Todd Novak
Co-author of Connections: 10 Summer Days to Start High School Well
Scott Habeeb
Coordinator for Alternative and Online Programs, 2023 - present | Salem, VA
10 years as Principal of Salem High School | Salem, VA
9 years as Assistant Principal of Salem High School | Salem, VA
National Speaker | 200+ Keynotes and Presentations in more than 15 states
Founder of The Freshman Transition Network
Founder of The Assessment Network
Co-author of The 9th Grade Opportunity: Transforming Schools from the Bottom Up
From our 2022 Conference:
“I do not feel bad about giving up a Saturday!”
Principal
“I got so many ideas to share with my teachers, I don’t know if I can implement them all in one year.”
Principal
“Reemphasized the importance of getting off to a great start with freshmen. Gave me ideas on things that we can be doing better.”
Teacher
Tickets
$495 per ticket
Breakfast, lunch, conversation, and connections are included both days.
We look forward to seeing you for an immersive two days of professional development and collaboration at The 9th Grade Opportunity Conference
10% off for groups of five or more!
Continuing Education.
Attendees can also receive fourteen (14) hours of CEU credit.
Information on how to receive those certificates will be available at the conference or email Todd.Novak@TheFreshmanAcademy.com.