In less than a year, your student will be making the jump from middle school to high school. Oof. That probably brings up a lot of feelings. Ones that make you smile and others that make your eyes go wide.
The good news: setting your student up for succes can start this year to take some weight off their shoulders.
Here are 6 practical ways 8th graders (and their parents) can prepare for high school during the school year:
1. Encourage your student to stay engaged in their school work
Yes, grades matter in the admissions process. You’ll submit your student’s report card as part of their application packet. BUT that’s not the only reason your student should stay engaged in the classroom. Study habits students develop now carry over. Encourage your student to keep working hard, especially in math and reading—two subjects that can make the biggest difference when the high school workload ramps up. Remind them to form good communication habits with their teachers. It’s another skill that will be worth its weight in a high school classroom.
2. Strengthen study and organization skills
High school means more independence and responsibility. This year is a great time for students to:
- Get used to using a planner or digital calendar.
- Practice breaking down big projects into smaller steps.
- Build the habit of studying a little each day instead of cramming.
- Adopt a habit of asking their teachers questions about material they aren’t quite grasping.
3. Explore interests through activities
As high school athletics and performing arts become more competitive, middle school is a great time for students to try everything. Extracurriculars matter. They help students feel connected and form friend groups at school. They teach life lessons such as perseverance, overcoming adversity, hard work, and grit. Encourage your student to try out different clubs, sports, or arts programs at their middle school this year.
Bonus: Many high schools, including LuHi, offer opportunities to get involved over the summer before 9th grade. Keep an eye out for summer camps, sports training, summer classes or service projects once spring rolls around. These are all great ways to get comfortable at high school before their first day of school.
4. Begin the admissions process early
This one seems obvious. However, it’s worth noting that exploring high schools to find the best fit for your student is over half the battle of setting them up for success over the next four years. The admissions process is more than an application. We highly encourage campus visits like attending open houses or shadow opportunities. For tips on breezing through the admissions application and tuition assistance process, check out this post.
Questions to Ask a School’s Admissions Team:
- What is the school’s culture, core values, and priorities?
- What advanced classes (AP, honors, dual credit) are available?
- What extracurricular opportunities will my student have?
- How does the school support students both academically and personally?
- How do you prepare students for life after high school?
Find a full list of questions here: https://www.lhsparker.org/blog/playing-education-detective
5. Build healthy routines
High school days are often longer and more demanding. Now’s the time for 8th graders to:
- Set a consistent bedtime and wake-up time. Sleep matters!
- Take responsibility for packing their own backpack or sports bag. Things will be forgotten; it happens. But a routine in this area can really help.
- Balance homework, activities, screen time, and downtime. High schoolers are still part of your family. At LuHi, we want families to become even closer by regularly attending church services together, having family dinners, and spending downtime on weekends together. Helping your middle schooler start to understand boundaries on their time can pay dividends for a less-stressed high school student.
6. Connect with the high school community
If your student already knows where they’ll be attending high school, find ways to connect this year:
- Attend athletic games or fine arts performances.
- Get connected over the summer through a club, class, Summer Strength program, or camp.
- Meet teachers, coaches, or future classmates when possible.
- Meet with your freshman guidance counselor to talk about what your freshman year course load will look like. Even ask to spend some time making a rough map of the next 4 years. For LuHi families, this is part of the admissions process so we have you covered!
Quick Tips for Parents
- Visit high school campuses and attend admissions events. If you come in during the school day or over the summer, get to know our front office staff. These ladies can be a lifeline for you!
- Talk to other parents about their experiences.
- Encourage your student to stay consistent with homework and routines. Help model good routines, screen time habits, and boundaries so they can see for themselves what responsible action looks like.
- Plan to get involved after your student starts here. We have several parent groups such as Parents in Prayer, the Lutheran Parent Association, Loving Lions, and more!
Quick Tips for Students
- Stay on top of assignments and avoid slacking in 8th grade.
- Explore different activities. You don’t have to stick with just one, and just because you try something doesn’t mean you have to fall in love with it. It can be just as helpful to know what you don’t like as what you do.
- Share with your parents how you’re feeling about high school.
- Start building habits now (sleep, organization, responsibility). If you aren’t sure where to start, just ask!
Next Steps for Future LuHi Lions
If you’re planning to join LuHi as a freshman, make sure you’re signed up for an upcoming Open House or schedule a shadow day. Our admissions team will guide you through every step of the process. In the spring, you’ll start receiving details about summer opportunities to get involved before school begins. We can’t wait to welcome you to the LuHi community!
