Going from junior high to high school can be challenging for your child. Academically and socially, there are many changes that your child will go through. They need guidance and support during this time, especially from their parents. Here’s how you can prepare them for this transition. 

Study Skills

Helping your child develop healthy study patterns and skills will ensure that they are able to retain and understand the material they learn throughout their high school years. Skills like time management, organization and active note taking are a few tools they can use to excel . Time management will allow your child to prioritize their assignments and get them done efficiently. Being organized will prevent late work, which can lead to academic consequences. Active note taking is a great strategy to be ahead of the game when it comes to taking tests and quizzes.

Several factors can affect adolescents’ transitions from middle school to high school. Brain and physical development rapidly change as adolescents progress through puberty (for more information, see the resources section). Incoming freshmen often face an increase in school size as typical high school populations are much larger than those in middle schools. There are also increased academic demands in high school and adolescents have more responsibility in making sure they complete their coursework and fulfill graduation requirements. Social transitions and relationships with peers also assume greater importance for teens.

Guided to Independent Learning

Typically in middle school, children learn through a guided method. In high school, the teaching method shifts to independent learning. During the last year of middle school, encourage your child to focus on learning the material by reading from the textbook rather than just focusing on what is given to them in class. Giving them an opportunity to learn on their own will help them feel empowered in their learning.

Communication

Teaching children to communicate with their teachers and ask the right questions will help them to excel in their courses. These skills will also help them build better relationships with their peers. You can influence their communication skills by talking to them like you would another adult. Being open with your children will help them understand what clear communication looks like. Helping your students to learn communication skills will make the transition from middle school to high school an easier process.

High School Campus Tour

It is important to create opportunities for graduating 8th graders to learn about their new high school. That is why Pickens Junior High offers our students a chance to take a tour of our high school campus.

Our high school campus tours include:

• Opportunities to meet high school teachers, the principal, and school counselors.

• A glimpse of what a high school class schedule looks like and how to understand it.

• A tour of the high school's Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways.

• Introduction of extracurricular activities and opportunities.

• Information on how to sign up for preferred high school classes.