2025/2026 Class 9 Full Experience Details
Live Zooms in Pacific Time
Main Lesson: Tuesday & Thursday 10 am
Math: Tuesday at 12 pm
Guardianship: Thursday 7 am
Four Fold Enrichment: Wednesday 9 am (8:30 Handwork)
Tuition: $6195.00
Humanities Main Lesson Blocks with Ms. Jaia
Modern History: In 8th grade, the students experienced some of the major events of Modern History, beginning with Revolutions of various types. This year, we will revisit these time periods, with an emphasis on the ideas that were at the forefront of certain historical events. In 9th grade, the students are more ready than ever to create their own judgments with their newly developing inner capacities. History lessons will lead the students from passing judgment to forming judgments of their own.
Topics which were introduced in grade eight lightly will be deepened. Some topics will include:
- The influence of the age of Revolution on Latin America; the Haitian Revolution
- Post-colonial case studies in Asia and Africa
- Emergence of global economy and tensions between developed and underdeveloped nations.
- The Cold War and its after effects
Art History: “A study of History through Art in 9th grade can be a powerful foundation course on what we as human beings have been, what we are now, and what we might become.” (Van James)
The study of art history during this transitional period into high school and adolescence can have a therapeutic effect on all that the 9th grader is going through in their outer physical development, as well as their inner, soul-spiritual development. The powerful subjectivity and emerging critical intelligence of the young adolescent encounter an underlying theme of polarities woven through the Waldorf curriculum for 9th grade. The weeks of studies in the realm of Art History will take us on a journey through human history through art while echoing the gesture of the dramatic tension between opposites. As we explore various times of history through changes reflected in art, we will encounter dramatic tension of dualities resonating with the inner search for identity and meaning.
This Main Lesson block is an overview of the visual arts from pre-historic times to the Renaissance. Students will look at and consider various works of art, as well as take part in the creation of a variety of artistic replications inspired by the periods we will explore. The cultural development of humanity will be explored through active observation of historical works of art, helping students to develop an appreciation for art, aesthetics, and attention to detail.
The Novel: In this main lesson block, we will examine the genre of the novel through the prism of Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo. This classic was produced during the time when the genre was in its fullest development and creates the opportunity for students to become familiar with the challenges of reading historical writing. We will study various elements of the novel, such as story, plot, and character, as well as aesthetic and thematic development as the novel genre grows and changes over time.
With this understanding, students will workshop excerpts from their own “novel.” This will create an opportunity to apply these specific aspects of fiction to their own work, as well as practicing the use of rich vocabulary, imagery, and other written conventions. Additionally, students will work on both self and peer editing skills to solidify their grasp of correct grammar, spelling, and mechanics.
Finally, we will explore questions of translations, abridgments, and omissions, noticing these changes and how they depend on the audience and historical period of a publication continues to be relevant in how language is used and influenced in our contemporary world.
Class Play: "When shall we three meet again, in thunder, lightning or in rain. When the hurly-burly's done, when the battle's lost and won!"
William Shakespeare's “Macbeth”
What an amazing opportunity to work with the beautiful words of the Bard! His world is one filled with polarities which address the world of the 9th grade student. During this block, we will focus on the play Macbeth, which is full of multi-dimensional characters and settings. We will also focus on the social environment of the era. Students will be challenged to focus on monologues and dialogues, and be supported in developing their speaking skills as they master the words and rhythms of Shakespeare.The play is filled with beautiful language and symbolism, which we will analyze throughout our Main Lesson Block.
Guardianship Class with Ms. Daniela and Mr. Siepker
Guardianship Class: Our Guardian teachers will support the full experience students through monthly and seasonal themes of focus and various projects. Students will have support and guidance in developing capacities for managing their time, leading and collaborating as a team, finding opportunities to go out and serve their local communities, asking for help when needed, and so on.
Guardian teachers are inspired by the striving to build a sense of connection and belonging for the group that will help students create ways of both, deepening their High School community and staying accountable to themselves and their teachers in their learning and creative work.
Math with Mr. Starzynski
Math Track: We will begin this course with a review of prealgebra concepts. We will then dive straight into algebra spending a significant portion of the year on solving linear equations using multiple techniques. Along the way, we will review and deepen basic geometry concepts and begin to look at combining geometry and algebra (a.k.a. graphing). Ultimately, the class will build up to solving 2nd-degree equations (quadratics).
During this year, we will also look at several interesting math puzzles.
Permutations, Combinations & Probability Block:
“Probability is the very guide of life.” -Cicero"
The Permutations, Combinations & Probability Main Lesson is an exploration into possibilities and chance. We will learn how to find the number of possible outcomes in an event and then use these outcomes to discover the likelihood of a specific outcome occurring. Along the way, we will learn how probability theory developed during the 17th century and we will look at various applications.
Science Main Lesson Blocks with Ms. Jaia
Geology: The 9th grade year is one of great transitions. The students are undergoing great changes in physical beings, and are also in the transition year from the lower school to the upper school, where they go from acquiring knowledge to practicing the formation of judgments. This block has the development of the student’s logical thinking as its goal, from the creation of inferences to the formation of causal relationships. One way that the curriculum supports this transition is through the study of the macro-cycles of the dynamic earth. In grade 9, these cycles can be understood in terms of process, and of duality, which is an ongoing theme throughout the year. Topics will include continental movement, morphology, volcanology, faults systems, the rhythmical processes in rock formation, and erosion.
Organic Chemistry-The Transformation of Substances: Through the study of Chemistry in 9th grade, we seek to invigorate healthy awakening to one's surroundings. While in 8th grade we studied the chemical nature of the natural plant world, in 9th grade, we will focus on the process of transformation and the manufacturing processes that have arisen from it. We will look at solidification and rarefaction as duals. This block seeks to bring the 9th graders into relationship with their own physiological processes, thereby awakening them to their surroundings, and to finding a healthy balance.
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Topics will include:
- The carbon cycle
- Commercial use of plants, synthetics, plastics
- Rarefactaion/solidification
- Fermentation
Physics- Thermodynamics: The 9th grade student seeks to take control of themselves and guide their energy to useful purpose, to find their way in the world, and to make positive connections. Therefore, practical matters, rather than theory, guides our physics study this year.
In this block, we will study the practical application of physics, including the basic tenants of thermodynamics, through the study of useful machines. Topics will include: Heat in all its aspects (including the gas laws of Charles and Boyle), expansion and phase change, absorption and transmission, and the internal combustion engine.
Enrichment is incorporated in your full class experience!
Meet your Four Fold Enrichment teachers!
Handwork With Ms. Maggie
The main focus of handwork in Class 9 is the ancient craft of basketry. We will begin by exploring the history of basketry and how baskets have been essential since the beginning of human civilization. Students will learn different coiling and weaving techniques and use materials from nature to create several styles of baskets.
Eurythmy Inspired Movement With Ms. Tiffany
The theme of the ninth grade is “Dynamics, Dionysus, Polar Opposites", and we will explore this by connecting movement and gestures to their most intimate feelings. We work with dramatic soul gestures and specific concentrated exercises. For tone, we will work with intervals, harmonies, and tone gestures, as well as, gravity and levity through raying and streaming. For copper rods we will learn to master and properly execute advanced copper rod exercises and put together a copper rod “piece.”
German with Mr. Dornemann
The aim of the course is to experience the German language, to get used to its sounds, acquire basic vocabulary and speaking skills. It is intended for beginners with no or little previous exposure to the German language. In the recorded part of the lessons there will be listening and speaking activities, poems, songs, stories and tongue twisters. Students will practice speaking by repeating what the teacher presents. In our live sessions we will engage in speaking and conversation as well as call and response. The vocabulary covered will include actions, counting, phrases, cultural references and many words describing aspects of everyday life.
Music with Mr. Mark
In Music Class 9 we use singing games, dancing games, and sing-alongs to create music together. We explore physically the steady beat, how the beat relates to rhythm, and how beat and rhythm relate to melody in a naturally organic progression. The material we use incorporates aspects of the students’ Main Lesson blocks. Emphasis is on creative expression and musical exploration, where everyone participates together in the creation of beautiful music. Rythmic and Melodic Notation are explored in a fun, organic way that relates to the Feeling Life of the music rather than the Intellectual, and we will compose our own songs. We incporporate Intermediate Recorder into our musical explorations (many students have already been playing recorder at this age, and I take that into account as I incorporate complete beginners with those who have some recorder skills, so that we can all progress together). We will also incorporate Beginning/Intermediate Ukelele!
