Making the move from elementary school to middle school is a milestone in a student’s, and a parent’s, life.  Anticipation of this milestone may bring some anxieties for all involved.  Parents are crucial in helping their child make a smooth transition to middle school. 

In case you don’t remember the feeling of entering middle school, refresh your memory on what your child may be feeling.  Researchers have found that students anticipating the move to middle school worry about three aspects of the change: logistical, social, and academic.  Parents also need to remember that middle school coincides with adolescents, which in itself is a turbulent time for young people.

Below is a list of helpful hints for parents and students, as well as a description of what the school will do to ease the transition for your child.  By working together, we can help your child succeed.

Logistical:

When researchers asked kids what aspect of moving to middle school most concerned them, the top answers related to how things at the new school worked (Akos, 2002). Would they get lost in the school? What happened if they were tardy? Would they be able to open their locker?

Middle school is a much more complex environment than grade school. The campus is larger, there are more students, and instead of one teacher and one classroom, your child will have a separate instructor, and classroom, for each subject or block of subjects (e.g., language arts/social studies or math/science). It’s no wonder kids worry about finding their way in this new world.

• Some elementary schools will take part in a middle school orientation.  On this day, fifth graders visit the middle school to take a tour, meet the principal and assistant principal, meet the sixth grade teachers, and learn more about the school.  Current sixth grade students write letters to the future students and explain what they personally like best about middle school.
• Many middle schools offer parent information sessions, make it a priority to attend.  This is a good time for you to get a tour of the school, learn procedures specific to the school, meet faculty and administration, and ask questions.
• If you are new to Hawkins County and your child did not participate in one of these orientations, feel free to contact the school principal and arrange a special tour of the school.   
• Get a copy of the student handbook. Review rules and requirements — especially the school’s code of conduct, which describes consequences for “violations” of the most important rules. Ask the school staff questions about anything that’s unclear.
• Sit with your child and explore the school website.
• Buy your child a lock for her locker several weeks before school starts to give her plenty of time to practice opening and closing it.
• Provide your child with an easy-to-read wristwatch so that she can quickly see if she needs to hurry to be on time to class.

Academic:

Many students entering middle school are concerned about academics? Will the classes be too difficult? Will there be too much homework? Are the teachers hard graders?  Organization is key to helping your child keep track of classes and assignments. 

Some tips to help ease her academic concerns:

• Help your student with time management skills. Work together on a schedule for study time, break time, chores, etc.  This schedule may have to be revised as new extracurricular activities begin and end and new classroom assignments are due.
• Work out an organizational system with your student.
• Break down big assignments into small parts. A project may seem overwhelming when looking only at the final outcome, especially if it’s put off until the last minute. Show your child how to plan ahead and break the assignment into smaller parts.  For example, one day complete the research, one day gather the materials for the project; one day assemble the project.
• Don't hesitate to remind your middle schooler about appointments and due dates.  This will help your child develop his/her own responsibility.  Think of it this way, when your child was learning to walk, you held his or her hands and made the path smooth. Teach your child how to be organized and responsible. 
• Stay connected to your child’s school work. Try to teach your student to work more independently while supporting her enough to give her confidence.  Many teachers have class websites available that list homework and project deadlines.
• Go to parent-teacher nights, open houses, and other events where you can connect with your child’s teachers.
• Help your child be her own advocate. Encourage her to discuss problems and solutions with teachers on her own, but be ready to step in and help as needed.

Social:

Another area of worry for students moving to middle school is the social scene. Will I see anyone I know? Will it be hard to make friends? Will I have to eat lunch alone? Are the older kids bullies?

Middle school provides an opportunity for students to make new friends.  Generally speaking, elementary school provided your child with a group of peers who have remained constant throughout the years.  Middle school typically integrates several elementary schools and gives your child a chance to meet students who attended other schools.  In addition, adolescence is a stage when kids start to rely much more on peers and pull away from parents. This is a time when being part of a group is very important and being perceived as different can be devastating. It’s not surprising that finding friends in the new school is a top priority.

The good news is that the more varied social environment also offers many opportunities to meet people. Being in multiple classes each day means your student is surrounded by more potential friends. The better news is that, once students are settled into middle school, they report that friendships and the social scene are among the best things about school (Akos, 2002: Forgan, 2000).

Some things that you can do to ease the social transition:

• Encourage your child to join sports teams, clubs, or other extra-curricular activities.
• Ease any loneliness in the early weeks of school by helping your child arrange weekend social activities with neighborhood, church, or grade school friends.
• Encourage your child to join group conversations. Discuss how to join in without interrupting, to add something relevant to conversation in progress, etc.
• Talk about traits that make a good friend (such as being a good listener).
• Talk about social skills. Discuss how words and actions can affect other people.
• Practice skills needed for difficult social situations.
• Remind your child to make eye contact when speaking or listening.