Transitioning to a New School
TRANSITION TO MIDDLE SCHOOL
Transitions can be difficult for everyone, but for young people one of the most difficult transitions is the one from elementary to middle school. At the same time that young adolescents are adapting to hormone- induced physical, emotional, and cognitive changes, they suddenly enter new educational environments that are typically less nurturing, larger, more departmentalized (e.g., going from one classroom to another), more competitive, and more demanding academically. Middle school students are generally expected to be more independent and responsible for their own assignments as well as other commitments.
How can we help?
As school counselors, we are able to help your child adjust from elementary to middle school. We can discuss many topics such as stress, adjustment to a new school, friends, homework, tests, and much more. We are here to help our students succeed in multiple facets of their life while they are here with us at Smyrna Middle School.
TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL
8th grade is a very important year. Students are ending their time at middle school and are transitioning to high school next year. Students are learning to be more independent but also that high school counts starting with DAY ONE on attendance, behavior, and grades. Be sure to attend freshmen orientation to hear more about high school and all that it has to offer, along with the responsibilities of the students. At Smyrna Middle, we make en effort to give students the tools they need for their success in high school. Great things to work on before high school: organization, study habits, communicating effectively with teachers, and even participate in class more. These are all things that will be beneficial in high school due to the increased need for your child to be more independent and become a self-advocate.
In Rutherford County, high school students need a total of 23 credits to graduate high school, along with credits students are required to take certain classes. Another important thing to remember: you must take a math every year that you are in high school regardless of taking Integrated Algebra I for high school credit in middle school. It is important to pick a pathway that you are interested in for your elective pathway graduation requirement. You will need to complete 3 credits in the same pathway to meet the requirement. The same can be said for foreign languages. You must take 2 credits of the same language to meet the requirement. School is also important in getting your Driver's license also-Click HERE for more details.
In Rutherford County, high school students need a total of 23 credits to graduate high school, along with credits students are required to take certain classes. Another important thing to remember: you must take a math every year that you are in high school regardless of taking Integrated Algebra I for high school credit in middle school. It is important to pick a pathway that you are interested in for your elective pathway graduation requirement. You will need to complete 3 credits in the same pathway to meet the requirement. The same can be said for foreign languages. You must take 2 credits of the same language to meet the requirement. School is also important in getting your Driver's license also-Click HERE for more details.
Please visit Smyrna High School's Counseling page for more details about counselors, classes, pathways, graduation requirements, etc.