Chemistry

Ninth grade Chemistry appears in two situations: accelerated tracks where strong maths students take chemistry a year early, and Physical Science courses where chemistry occupies the first semester before physics. Either way it is an introduction (atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, and writing and balancing equations) with less of the algebra that dominates the full chemistry course.

The single biggest determinant of success is comfort with proportional reasoning and scientific notation, because chemistry converts a maths weakness into a chemistry grade very quickly. Students who solidify unit conversion and dimensional analysis in ninth grade find the stoichiometry of the following year far less punishing.