If you have any questions, please reach out to Geoff Ruth, Placement Coordinator: placements@urbanschool.org

The Block Schedule, Electives, and Athletics:

• Urban has three terms of 12 weeks each (Fall, Winter, Spring) and students take four classes per term, plus optional music performance during three E periods throughout the entire year.
• If a student does not choose a performance music program, the E/activity periods are faculty-monitored study halls, or a combination of co-curricular activities, such as Journalism, a fitness course, Yearbook, dance, mindfulness, etc.
• Participation on athletic teams is after school, five days a week, including some holidays.

Course descriptions can be found by visiting the Urban Curriculum pages.

English (two terms)
- English 1A
- English 1B 

History (two terms)
- Word History A
- World History B

Science (two terms)
- Fundamentals of Science 1A
- Fundamentals of Science 1B

Service Learning 9 - Self: Identity & Ethnic Studies  / 9th Grade Health (each 6 weeks / 1/2 term)

Math (two terms) - Students who have not taken Algebra 1 in 8th grade or who need an additional foundation of algebra and preliminary geometry should select Math 1. If you are planning to take the math placement test, you may choose Math 2 on the form, although the Urban Math Department will make the final determination as to which class is most suitable.
* Students who have selected Level 2 but do not complete the math placement test will be automatically moved into Level 1.

World Languages (two terms) - Choose from Chinese, French, or Spanish on the sign-up form, including which course level you believe is appropriate. Students who have never taken  another language or who need an additional foundation of the language of their choice should select Level 1. If you are planning to take the language placement test, you may choose Level 2 on the form, although the Urban Language Department will make the final determination as to which class is most suitable.
*Students who have selected Level 2 but do not complete the language placement test will be automatically moved into Level 1.

Arts Elective (one term) - You will take one arts course during your 9th grade year. You can see descriptions of these electives on our Art Curriculum pages here.

If you choose to participate in a music ensemble (Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band, or Urban Singers - chorus), you must take the "Intro" class for your discipline as your 9th grade arts elective. In future years, you are free to take other Art electives. Please note whether you will participate in music performance, or rank your first, second and third choices of the following classes on the sign-up form:

• Intro to Chamber Orchestra - required if a student wishes to join the Chamber Orchestra 
• Intro to Jazz Band - required if a student wishes to join the jazz band
• Intro to Urban Singers - required if a student wishes to join Urban Singers 

Please see this video for more details on the music program.

Other arts electives for 9th graders include (see here for course descriptions):

• Drawing/Mixed Media
• Music Theory 1
• Painting
• Sculpture
• Technical Theater
• Theater 1
• Video Production

Urban fields title-winning interscholastic teams in baseball, basketball, cross-country, fencing, golf, lacrosse, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, and volleyball at our own gym and at athletic fields and venues throughout the city.

Over 70% of all Urban Students participate in our competitive athletics program and all students are expected to complete eight physical activity credits from fitness courses like yoga, rock-climbing, dance, strength training, hiking, and more.

Questions? Reach out to our Director of Athletics Joe Skiffer. 

Interested in participating in Athletics? Fill out our Athletics interest form here.

FALL 2026 START DATES

August 10
- Varsity Volleyball (girls)
- Cross Country (coed)
- Varsity & JV Tennis (girls)
- Golf (girls)

August 12
- JV & Frosh/Soph Volleyball (girls)

August 15
- Sailing (club, co-ed): Bootcamp and Tryouts

August 17
- Flag Football (coed)
- Girls Flag Football (not enough committed players yet for a team)

September 3, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
- New Parent Guardian Athletic Info Session

Athletics Physical Form:
Any student participating in Urban athletics must turn in the physician-signed physical form prior to the start of the season.

Summer Volleyball and Basketball Camps at Urban
Join the summer Urban Blues Volleyball and Basketball Camps with Kali Heys and Joe Skiffer.

9th Grade orientation is Wednesday–Friday, August 26–28, 2026. These are mandatory orientation days for all incoming 9th graders.

If you are coming from a public, charter, parochial or home school, you should have received an invitation to the Urban Bridge program, August 20-21, 2026. More details to come! Questions? Email UrbanBridge Coordinator (and math teacher!) Jessica Yen (jyen@urbanschool.org).

The first day of Fall Term is Monday, August 31. The academic calendar for 2026-27 can be downloaded here.

Scope out what makes Urban unique — from beloved rituals and all-school celebrations to city adventures, arts showcases, outdoor trips, and student-led moments that bring the community together all year long.

Want to show your Blues spirit?

Visit our online store and grab some new UrbanWear!

• When will I get my Urban email and laptop?
  Students get their Urban email and Urban laptop during 9th grade orientation.
• When will I get my schedule?
  An email with the student schedule, information and instructions is sent to parent/guardians in the middle of July, usually around July 13th. 
• Where can I get information about carpooling?
  The Urban Parent Portal! You can search the directory by zip code to find other Blues families near you.