The McComb High School 9th Grade Community is designed to assist the incoming freshman in making a smooth transition from middle to high school.

According to one of the school administrators, Cynthia Lamkin, the program will promote teacher-student relationships, improve academic performance, decrease the failure rate, increase attendance, and reduce discipline problems. Research shows that students are more successful in smaller groups.  Most young people must feel connected to significant adults and a positive peer group to have the support to be an accomplished student. The incoming freshmen are connected to a select team of caring adults called advisors/mentors who will use research-based best practices to teach the curriculum as well as address their students’ needs more personally.

The 9th grade students will also have a hall that is exclusive to them with their own administrator and counselor that will be available to assist with 9th grade academic and organizational needs. Lamkin is the 9th grade administrator and the 9th grade Counselor is Vickie Malone.

The 9th grade school year is now called the Freshmen Experience. This is one of the McComb School District’s efforts to “Raise the Bar while Pursuing Perfection and Expecting Excellence for and from our children.” This will not only be a year of academics for them, but a year of freshmen activities and fun. The teachers will work collaboratively with common planning time to create an environment that acclimates the students to the high school experience and fosters life-long learners.

The 9th grade community staff will also work with parents and students to focus on the transition to high school and provide intensive support throughout the school-year.