Transitioning from Elementary School

Some of the biggest changes in a young person’s life occur in middle school. Students get more teachers, responsibilities and opportunities than they had in elementary school. Here are some things to be aware of as you help your elementary student prepare for the transition to middle school:

More class periods (NAMS has seven a day)
Clubs and after-school activities (see the ‘Clubs’ section of our website)
Socialization matters: peers take priority over family to many tweens and teenagers
Student choice: students get to choose electives
New systems: lockers, technology and school involvement all look different
Higher expectations: students

It can feel daunting to prepare your elementary school graduate for middle school. Here are some resources and things to help.

Build Independence

Middle school demands students to be advocates and problem solvers. Help your student build confidence in themselves and their critical thinking by practicing these skills at home:

Conflict: When they conflict with another person (possibly family), ask students, ‘How can we solve this? What’s the win-win?’

Getting Stuck: Have students practice tasks at home that are on a higher level of challenge. When they conquer it, celebrate! When they hit setbacks, collaborate!

Lockers: Many incoming sixth graders struggle with lockers on the first days. Buy or borrow a combination lock and practice it over the summer to get them ready for using lockers.

Schedule: Middle schoolers have a minimum of nine transitions between classes and lunch throughout the day. To practice, use calendars, timers and transition language, (‘Alright, in five minutes we need to get ready to go to the store’) to help build time awareness.

Promote Character at Home

At North Arvada, we promote our PRIDE character traits. Our five PRIDE traits are:

Personal Responsibility
Respect
Integrity
Determination
Empathy

You can support students to internalize and utilize these traits by practicing the same language at home. This may be similar to practicing their elementary school traits or language (e.g. ‘In this family, we are safe, respectful and responsible.’).

Talk to your child about these traits and how you use them at home and work or with family.

Knights’ P.R.I.D.E.

Knights have…	This means…
Personal responsibility	I am ready to learn every day. I take opportunities to lead. I seek help when I need it.
Respect	I listen carefully. I speak kindly. I care for my community.
Integrity	I am honest and reflective. I choose to do what is right even when it is hard or no one is watching.
Determination	I make the most of each day. I learn from my mistakes. I don't give up.
Empathy	I consider other people’s feelings. I help others when they are in need. I treat others how I like to be treated.

Starting middle school can be an exciting time for students transitioning from elementary school. By definition, transition means the change from one place, state of being, or condition to another place, state of being, or condition. This transition is often complex.

As young adolescents are changing school buildings they are also changing hormonally, mentally, and physically. This transition affects young adolescents’ academic experiences, motivation, self-perception, and self-regulation. This process also affects parents and teachers.

Effective transition programs help students move to a new school and become a part of the new school. With the implementation of transition programs and the support of parents, teachers, administrators, and mental health professionals, this transition can positively impact students both socially and academically.