Transition Years in the Middle School

The month of May in the Middle School is filled with the excitement of class trips, the challenge of studying for final exams and wrapping up class activities, and the anticipation of closing exercises and summer vacation. In the next few weeks, we will honor students in grades 5–8 for their achievements and leadership in Middle School Student Council, class offices, athletics, and clubs during our recognition assembly on June 5. On June 6, we will celebrate the end of a successful Middle School experience with our 37 grade 8 students. During the ceremony, each grade will “move up” to their new seats in the auditorium, leaving space for the rising grade 4 students we will welcome to the Middle School in August.
 
This ceremony is symbolic of the actual transition each student will make when they return to a new grade next school year. For our current students in grades 4 and 8, it will involve entering a new building with new faculty members, new students and new routines. At Ellis, this transition is a process, rather than a solitary event. Throughout the year, we have worked intentionally to provide a framework of academic preparation, communication to families, collaboration and support to ensure student success during the transition to Middle and Upper Schools.

As a pre-kindergarten to grade 12 school, we provide a comprehensive curriculum that builds upon skills and content in a developmentally appropriate manner. Lower School students are prepared with a strong, academic foundation for Middle School, they have worked cooperatively on interdisciplinary projects and have shown promising leadership in the Lower School musical. They are ready to “learn how to learn,” and to explore new opportunities and independence. Grade 8 students have written research papers, solved complex equations, collaborated on integrated studies projects and performed, discussed and analyzed scientific experiments. They are ready to dive deeply into the rich content of Upper School courses.

During these transition years, families have opportunities to attend coffees and visit classrooms, students spend a day in their new division and engage in school activities such as student council elections. As educators truly “in the middle,” we collaborate with both Lower and Upper School faculty and staff to support students,  teach organization and study skills, encourage self-advocacy in academics, social and extracurricular pursuits.

When I ask students in grades 4 and 8 how they feel about their move to a new division next year, their answers are surprisingly similar. Both grades look forward to new experiences, friendships and independence. For families, these milestones are a celebration of achievement, a sense of anticipation for the next phase of parenthood and a reminder of the approach of adolescence and young adulthood. Our thoughtful, robust plan provides students and families the information and support to successfully navigate the journey to Middle and Upper Schools.
 
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