What was the most difficult part of your transition into high school?
I have been at ASL for ten years. I started in lower school, went through the middle school, and am planning on finishing high school in the same place. I have seen people come and go, classes shift, the buildings change, and much more. I feel that middle school has been the hardest four years so far—the workload has gotten heavier, extra-curricular activities have gotten more intense, and responsibilities have grown. However, a question I ask myself is, should it be harder? Am I really being prepared for the four years of high school that will count towards my college applications?
The transition from eighth grade into high school can come along with anxiety, fear for what is coming next, and new social pressures. In addition, it was noted by students that grades are taken much more seriously in high school than in middle school, thus high school teachers should create awareness about the importance of grades.
Students in the eighth grade from past years, noted that all the options available for classes and new extra curricular activities were overwhelming and the pace of high school life was much faster from the very start.
One current eighth-grader, Hannah Levine, suggested that the middle school teachers should begin having discussions about the transition soon to reduce stress in her along with her peers.
After interviewing numerous high school students on their thoughts about the transition, most mentioned the fact that in terms of the workload and organization, not much helped them progress with ease. Many said that more could be done to make the jump easier and suggested that the middle school could and should do more to prepare students for this transition. Tenth-grader Max Olsher said, “Middle school never actually taught us strategies which were reinforced enough.”
Additionally, last year’s eighth-grade class, along with the high school students interviewed, stressed points about the disconnect between the middle school and high school math department. For example, in the middle school there are test retakes, although in the high school students are given a single math test with no retakes.
Furthermore, in recent feedback given from former eighth grade students, high school teachers do not check in or watch over students as much as in the middle school. There are many more choices which can sometimes come across overwhelming. Ilyas Brigui, a student in ninth grade said, “In middle school, teachers had a lot of control over you, when high school is very free in the sense that, you have to work harder and you have more to do.”
Yes, the middle school’s expectations and curriculum may have changed from last year’s; however, what some high schoolers suggested about work load, stress, test amounts etc, create uncertainty for this year’s grade eight graduating class. While some high school students did feel prepared, most feel it is important that the middle school take note of the negative feedback and come up with a plan to address these concerns.
What was the most helpful part of your transition into high school?
Quotes & Advice from Students
“I feel that middle school did prepare me in many ways. Although, the way it could’ve prepared me more is the level of self-advocacy in terms of going to see your teachers when needed.” – Liadh Mesch, Grade 12
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“I think it did prepare me for high school. It was very organized because every grade had really good teachers. It gave us the right skills in terms of reading and the strategies you need to do well.” – Filippo Lisanti, Grade 11
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” I feel that middle school did prepare me in some ways. I found it much harder in eighth grade because they were trying to preparing me for what’s going to go on in high school but I definitely feel that the math department doesn’t prepare me as well because there were retakes but in high
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“In some ways it did, and in some
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“No, it doesn’t prepare you for high school but you get used to it.” – Arion Statovci, Grade 12
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“Middle school helped me get a sense of how the teachers work with students here at ASL, for example, they cater to your needs a lot more. So coming into high school I knew how to self – advocate a bit more. Nothing in middle school prepared me for the work in high school other than experiencing that itself.” – Houdah Daniels, Grade 11
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“It prepared us by letting us know that we would have a lot more work in the high school. Although,
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“I do think middle school prepared you for high school especially the transition.” – Skylar Sweidan, Grade 9
