This is a contributed post by Samuel Fung of Infinite Futures, a provider of college advising and mentorship services for students in grades 8-12.
The transition to high school is an exciting time for 7th and 8th grade students, but it can also be stressful. There are many different opportunities to consider and as parents, we want to position our kids well for future success. The objective is to set our students up to succeed while also easing the pressure that inherently comes from a traditional high school experience.
For many students, college is an end-goal, and while there are many different paths, there are steps families can take in middle school to position their children favorably to a wide variety of higher education institutions.
Five Things Parents Should Consider During the Transition from Middle School to High School
1. Course selection and performance in grades 7 and 8 can influence the curriculum available in high school.
Some students and parents may not realize that academic performance in middle school can influence a student’s high school course trajectory. The two subject areas where this is most apparent are in mathematics and, surprisingly, world language.
Math courses are often taken in a progression: students learn Algebra and Geometry concepts, then Trigonometry and Precalculus, before tackling Calculus. These math courses build off one another and need to be taken in order. Moving ahead and skipping courses often results in students missing key concepts and skills, leading to lower grades and increased stress.
Some students will have the option to take Algebra and Geometry in middle school, allowing them to have more room in their high school schedule for advanced math classes. However, getting placed into these advanced classes often requires students to do well in preceding courses. Math placement is often decided in grades 7 and 8, and because of the importance of learning basic concepts, it is often harder to move up in course level than to move down. Showcasing strong math grades and preparedness in 7th and 8th grades can ensure students will have their choice of math classes and options heading into high school.
Some school districts offer introductory world language courses in middle school, and some even earlier. Taking advantage of these opportunities means world language classes in high school expand upon material from the introductory classes. Learning a world language can expose a student to different cultures, communities, and people, which broadens their perspective. College admissions officers know this and expect students to engage in multiple years of world language in high school. Students who build their foundations early tend to have a better sense of which language they want to study later on and be better prepared to take the advanced world language classes in high school and college.
While the best-case scenario is that a student selects a language they want to learn for the next several years, changing interests, instructors, or other scheduling issues may not make that possible. It is recommended that students pick the same language for all of high school.
Although math and world language are usually the most impactful subjects for high school course trajectory, students should do their best in every course they take. While not every course translates to high school and ultimately, college, it is still important for a student to develop good habits and build fundamental skills. Furthermore, students who want to take advanced subjects in other areas beyond math and world language will need strong foundational skills to succeed in high school.
Related: 5 Guaranteed Ways to Cultivate Killer High School Study Habits
2. Don’t stress about standardized testing until at least grade 10.
With college admissions becoming increasingly competitive, and standardized test policies a constant hot topic in admissions news, some families may consider giving their students an “edge” by starting the test prep cycle early.
Related: The Admissions Process is Broken: 7 Tips to Help Talk About College With Your Teen
Understandably, some parents are coming from systems or mindsets of “how it used to be,” where standardized test scores were a primary factor in their university results and career success. Standardized testing policies have changed dramatically, and U.S.-based universities often view applications more holistically and within the context of a student’s opportunities. This means an SAT or ACT score is one of several factors evaluated in the admissions process.
Is there a disadvantage to taking the test too early? The answer is yes. The College Board officially states, “Official score reports sent to colleges five or more years after a test date may be less valid predictors of college academic performance than more recent scores…”
Even top universities like Carnegie Mellon weigh in: “…we encourage students to submit 11th or 12th grade SAT or ACT scores…While earlier tests may measure knowledge at the time they are taken, that level of knowledge gradually evolves and doesn’t fully represent the knowledge students bring to college first-year courses.”
So middle school and young high school students can put their pencils (or computers, since the test is now offered digitally) away and not worry about taking another test for a few years. Focus on learning math, reading for fun, and understanding Language Arts class content to be the most prepared for when the time comes to take the SAT or ACT.
3. Team-based activities can have a significant impact on your child and their development.
Joining a team-based activity can develop personal qualities, habits, and interpersonal skills. Teams can encompass academic, creative, sports, and other extracurricular activities.
Engagement in team-based activities outside the classroom can teach students critical skills such as:
- Resilience: How does your child approach setbacks or react to disappointment? An inherent reality in team-based activities is that losses and conflict are inevitable. These setbacks teach resilience and form the balance between confidence and humility. By succeeding and facing setbacks as a team, the stakes can be lowered for individual participants.
- Collaboration/teamwork: Team-based activities can help students communicate and work towards shared goals. In a sporting event, performance, or competition, students have to perform and collaborate under pressure while preserving the team dynamic. As students grow into their love for the activity, there’s also often a desire to share this passion. Engaging with team-based activities now can lead to future opportunities to give back and promote accessibility within a variety of interests and causes.
- Discipline/goal-setting: Through routine practices, training, and competition, students on teams learn the values of hard work and self-discipline. By prioritizing team-based commitments, managing homework, and accounting for a good night’s sleep, students can also begin practicing time management skills to sustain them in future careers.
Most importantly, these activities are often fun and something students are eager to do. The lessons learned can develop habits that will stick with them beyond high school and college.
Related: We Need to Change the Way We Talk about What Makes a “Good” College Now
4. Academic and extracurricular exploration should be encouraged.
There is no singular path to college or success in life. Whether a student is interested in STEM or the creative arts, their interests should be encouraged and nurtured. These transitional years are the perfect time for exploration, and it is okay if these interests don’t stick – students can change their minds at any time.
That being said, parents can encourage their children to get involved more deeply in a wide variety of activities. For example, students interested in the various levels of mathematics and science can begin approaching these courses beyond the classroom. In math, organizations like MATHCOUNTS and Math Kangaroo provide structured programming and engagement. Local science fairs, robotics teams, and at-home experiences can further deepen interests in science and engineering.
Competitions don’t have to be about winning the top-level award. Some students engage in these activities to challenge themselves and solve complex problems beyond what is taught in their school. At this point, competitions should focus more on the experience and learning process than external recognition.
For students who are excited to explore creative talents, taking lessons in the visual and performing arts can pay dividends later. Take advantage of any arts programming your school or community offers as many of these programs are free or at reduced cost. Local art showcases, open-mic nights, and talent shows can all be great ways to practice sharing your child’s abilities.
5. Community engagement can broaden your child’s worldview and improve interpersonal skills.
Anyone, at any age, can make an impact in their community. Encouraging students to find age-appropriate ways to help around their neighborhood, school, religious institution, or town is a great way to give back. Helping students seek out or create opportunities to make change in their community establishes an awareness early on of how they can directly have an impact.
In middle school and early high school, there are many ways students can do small things in their community. A few examples include helping a neighbor take or return their garbage cans on trash day, hosting a book club for classmates, volunteering at a local food bank, or raising funds for a cause. Building a foundation of service encourages future volunteer engagement and allows your student to begin thinking about their community’s immediate and long-term needs. This exposure can lead to future projects, outreach, and leadership opportunities.
Focus on your individual child’s needs and interests
Transitioning to high school can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. It may seem premature to talk about the college process in middle school, but with a little thought and planning, there are ways to be proactive to open up more opportunities down the road.
This is a contributed post by Samuel Fung of Infinite Futures. Fung has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley and has been working with students for 15 years. Samuel applied his experience as an engineer and knowledge of the application process to help students apply to many programs in STEM, including computer science, mechanical and electrical engineering, and robotics.
Parenting teens and tweens is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. These posts can help:
4 Ways Parents Can Help Teens Find Their Future Careers
How to Make College Your Superpower
Are AP Classes Worth the Stress for Your High School Student?
College Course Selection Guidance For Teens To Help Them Succeed Their Freshman Year
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