Transitioning from Elementary School to Middle School

The transition from elementary school to middle school is a huge milestone. It typically comes with a variety of mixed emotions. The students in Middle schools usually come from multiple elementary schools. This means meeting new friends, new teachers, and new facilities, not to mention new freedoms and new hormones. Middle school typically means lockers, changing classes, and learning the styles of multiple teachers. For some kids, this is all exciting and feels like a rite of passage towards being free. For others, it's completely overwhelming.

Suggestions to help ease the pressure of the transition:

• Stay connected with your child. Peer pressure begins to become stronger at this age. Some middle schoolers will be offered cigarettes, alcohol or other drugs. Sexual temptations sometimes begin at this stage also. Research suggests that when parents stay connected, the child is more likely to avoid these activities. It helps when parents are open and give them tools and the words to say if the pressure comes up.

• Arrange for your child to tour the school and meet teachers if possible. If there is an open house, attend. Seeing classrooms and navigating the school can help ease anxiety.

• Focus on things that will be the same, such as a good friend.

• For the students with an IEP: Have someone from the middle school and the elemenatry school be at the IEP meeting. There will be someone who knows the new school and someone who knows your child.

• For the students with a 504 Plan: If there is not someone from the middle school at the 504 meeting, request a 504 review at the beginnng of the school year to update accommodations.

• If your student struggles, but does not have an IEP or 504 Plan, provide a list of accommodations that have been attempted in the past. There is no need to reinvent the wheel and it's important for new teachers to understand a little of the history. A brief meeting at the beginning of the school year, an email, or a call can be a great idea.

Good things about Middle School.

• Middle school can be a great time to begin cultivating specific interests in elective classes or after school activities.
• Your child will meet new friends and may be developing friendships that will last for years.
• Your child will be learning valuable life skills and developing independence.