Check out 7 ways to prepare for middle and high school transitions from SportsWorld:

Q: What can I do to help my children make the transition to middle school and high school?

Whether it’s sixth grade or ninth, graduating to a new school level usually means bigger school buildings, larger student bodies, more choices and more freedom. Along with excitement, students can feel anxiety, frustration and isolation. We spoke with several veteran middle and high school educators who gave us the following advice for how parents can help their children make a smooth transition.

1. Logistics are the hardest part

Let’s start with middle school, where students’ first hurdles are logistical — needing to remember a locker combination, learning the building layout and getting to class on time.
“It’s all those little things that at their stage of development become everything to them,” said Sandra Bickel, principal of Webber Middle School in the Poudre School District.
One safeguard is early exposure. Jessica Fiedler, principal of Westlake Middle Schools in Adams 12, urged parents to make sure their kids visit their future middle school as fifth-graders and attend any orientation or kick-off activities prior to the start of school. This and a variety of other suggestions are contained in the district’s 11-page “Middle School Transition Guide“.

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What The Students Are Saying!

“Thank you so much! You made me have more confidence in myself. I won’t judge anyone again.” –Kaydence, 6th grade student, Indianapolis, IN “Made me wake up and realize this ain’t the life for me. I’m trying too hard to fit in. I need to be a leader and get myself together.” – Heavinly, 10th grade student, Oklahoma City, OK “I learned that if you keep going, you can overcome anything. And I never plan on giving up.” –Tristan, 12th grade student, Bourbon, IN

Devon McDonald President 1919 South Post Road Indianapolis, IN 46239 800.832.6546 www.sportsworld.org