This best practices piece is based on key research into high school transition strategies. It draws on two studies of high school reform models conducted by MDRC, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization, which shed light on promising strategies to support ninth-grade students. Increasing the capacity of high schools to provide extra help for ninth-grade students to catch up, to learn to read well, and to earn credits in English and algebra is critical, as these academic achievements are key predictors of whether students are likely to graduate on time (Quint, 2006). Transitions into high school can be eased when both structural and specialized curricula reforms are in place. This brief offers several take-aways at the state, district, and school levels. A list of additional resources is provided. (Contains 3 endnotes.) [This publication was produced by the National High School Center. For related document, see ED501073.]