Dear Parents,
Not so long ago your child was entering middle school and was tied in knots about how she would find her way in the huge new school, if she would have any friends, and if the classes would be too tough. Now, she is facing high school and guess what she is worried about ? She needs to know that now really counts ! She needs to decide if she is aiming for college or the workforce.
High school is a time of great change and many "firsts" and transitions. As a parent, take a relaxed look at what is important during the transition and what concerns crop up.
Studies reveal that students who feel they are part of the school community are more motivated and show higher academic achievement. parents should know that the transition is more than just the first few weeks of school. Adolescents display a varying degree of intellectual as well as physical development during this time. All of these characteristics are further influenced by outside sources such as family circumstances, poverty, the media and peer pressure.
Some compelling statistics:
- More students fail the ninth grade than any other grade of school.
- Students who repeat at least one year are three times more likely to drop out of school than students who have not failed a grade.
- The performance of students in Algebra I is the single most reliable indicator of their earnings at the age of 25.
- Among 14-15 year-olds who struggle with basic reading and mathematics skills, 20% drop out of school within two years.
Here are some parent tips to help your child with the transition:
- Be prepared to make changes. You may find that the study strategies that have worked well up to this point are no longer adequate. This is because continued cognitive development means your child is beginning to think more abstractly, use more complex reasoning, and from her own opinions. Her high school work reflects this and becomes increasingly demanding. Keep a close eye on how well your child is managing her workload.
- More to High School than Classes. Extracurricular activities, sports and social functions are as much a part of the high school experience as academic classes. Emotionally ninth grade students are caught in a wide spectrum of moods, emotions and attitudes with social skills suffering as a result. Extracurricular activities are a great way for your child to try new things, show off her strengths and connect with peers with similar interests. Encourage your child to participate.
- Stay involved. Your involvement in your child's high school experience is very important now. Your child is entering a phase of great change, and your support is essential. Get to know your child's friends. Become an active supporter of the your child's education. Stay involved in the decisions they make about high school. Instead of just signing off on class choices, review them and discuss how they fit into their overall future plans. Be aware of school functions and participate. Demand excellence of us.
- Love, Understand and Support. Above all, parents you need to acknowledge that moving from middle school to high school is a major step from childhood to adulthood. Your child needs to know that you love them, understand them and support them with a foundation of confidence. If you need help, seek it from the student services department. Our staff provides assistance with educational planning, test interpretation, vocational and college planning and scholarship searches to name a few.
Starting high school can be both scary and exciting for you and your child. You can help with this monumental transition by staying involved.
Best wishes on a successful school year.
