Thoughts and Tips on the Transition to High School

Can you believe it is the middle of April?  I really can't believe it!!  

By now, many school counselors are working on finishing registration for next year so that "we" can work on the master schedule (forgive me while I gag!).  While we may be registering our current students, there is another eager group waiting for their turn, rising 9th graders.  You probably have had your fair share of calls, emails, and questions from these parents about their child's schedule, honor requirements, and so on.  If you have not already conducted your rising 9th grade parent night, I am sure you will be anticipating the onslaught of inquiries soon.  Although rising 9th parents' questions can be a minor inconvenience, this is the first real contact your new families may have with you, other than graduation, so it is important to make a great first impression.

So, why should we pay close to attention to the 8th to 9th grade transition?  The Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy suggests that 9th grade is a critical year for high school success.  Therefore, correct course selection is an important factor for setting students up for their high school career. Unfortunately, there are so many misunderstandings among rising 9th grade parents, students, and even their middle school teachers, that a lack of information may cause confusion and trepidation into a student's transition to high school.  If we can dispel those myths early, there is a greater chance that students will enter 9th grade feeling a little less stressed about their academics, maybe not so much about their social lives (that is another topic for another day). 

If you are lucky enough have a 9th grade transition program, my hat is off to you.  You probably have this all together and that makes me jealous.  However, at this time, I am a lone wolf trying to help our current 8th grades migrate to 9th grade.  Since I am by myself, I am handling a lot of tasks at one time and honestly, I get a little bothered by 8th grade parent inquires.  It is not that I don't like them, but good grief, I am busy.  Ok, to be fair to them, they may not know that bit of information...so I have to help them make it to the other side. If you are like me and you are all alone, this post may help you with your transition program, or lack of transition.  If this your lot in life, here are some thoughts about how to make a doable transition plan from 8th to 9th grade.

Creating an 8th to 9th Grade Transition Plan

Step 1: Create an Overall Plan to Share with Administrators

January - June

1. High school counselor(s) present an initial high school transition presentation to 8th grade students. Students learn about important concepts such as credits, graduation requirements, transcripts, and elective choices. It is helpful if you can bring some current high school students with you to answer questions. I am providing a link to a 9th Grade overview for parents and students in case you are interested in using for your own.

Rising 9th Grade Parent Transition Presentation

Rising 9th Grade Student Presentation

2. Course recommendation forms are sent to parents and students via email and/or by handout for students to review with parents. This can also be done electronically (see my free registration handout on TPT in the forms section).

3. Parents are invited to attend an orientation. If you do not have a parent orientation template to use, I am providing a link on my TPT Store to reference (see link under #1).

4. Teachers in some subject areas are asked to recommend 8th grade students for high school placement.

5. If possible, have your eighth graders visit the high school. You can have a student group, like student council, peer leaders, or a club present information like clubs, organizations, and other opportunities. Also, you can introduce the 9th grade staff and an administrator in a less threatening environment. In addition, students can tour the high school before they leave.

6. Get ready for questions. There are many ways to do this, but one school has a Zoom meeting for parents to hop on and ask questions (see under the resources section below).

Summer

1. Give students their schedules either over the summer or at orientation.

2. Organize a Freshman Orientation prior to school opening. In the orientation students can sign up for clubs, get their lockers, meet their teachers, get their supply lists, and much more!

Step 2: Create helpful documents to educate parents, students, and 8th grade teachers.

Okay, there are a lot of helpful resources on TPT that you can download for high school transition. The important tip is to make sure that your resources/informational forms specially address your parent and student questions. I created some forms this year that created more confusion than answers...lesson learned!

Some forms/informational handouts to include:

9th grade classes/course descriptions

About 9th Grade

9th Grade Registration

Graduation Requirements

Honor's Policies

Clubs, Sports, and Activities for 9th graders

Check out this comprehensive informational packet from Woodbridge High. Very nicely done!!

Step 3: Schedule an orientation to high school for students and parents

This is something that I am currently working on with my administration. However, if this is a stretch, here is a video I found welcoming 8th graders to 9th grade hosted by students.

SAHS 8th Grade Orientation Video

Also, if you can't get your faculty to cooperate for an orientation, check out what this district has done to introduce their staff and subjects to rising 9th graders.

Faculty Introductions

Step 4: Create a parent/student newsletter to keep families informed.  

I have found that providing information to rising 9th grade families helps them feel connected and informed.  One way to do this is to create a newsletter or website for rising 9th grade families.  Need an example?  Check out Sequoia's 9th Grade webpage for families.  

Step 5: Share resources

Here are some suggested resources to share with families as they prepare for high school.
Take Control of Homework
Help Your Disorganized Student
Study Strategies
Helping With School Refusal
9th Grade Parent Action Plan
College Planning Guidelines
9th Grade Student Timeline
High School Course Plan
Sample Freshmen Schedule
In addition to resources for families, here are some helpful resources for school counselors to use in preparing their transition program.
Centennial High Freshmen Orientation Website
Meet Your Counselor Via Zoom
Course Selection Guide for Students Entering 9th Grade
Freshman Orientation Presentation

I hope this was a little beneficial to you.  There are many amazing transition programs out there and I would love for you to share your ideas with other school counselors!!