High school is an important time in the life of any teen: hormones are raging, social cliques are forming and the pressure is on to develop a college resume. Teens gain more independence as they get older, but adults also expect more from teens without providing as much of the nurturing and guidance of their earlier years. Starting high school is a big transition, and it turns out, the ninth grade a pivotal moment for teens’ potential success or failure in high school. At Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, California, educators are combating “ninth grade shock” by developing the kind of community kids don’t want to miss.