How to Get Ready for Middle School

The transition from elementary to middle school requires effort, dedication, and hard work. It takes both the efforts of both parents and children to prepare for it. At this age, many students can make decisions about what extracurricular classes they wish to take and whether or not they want to pursue advanced academic courses. Not to mention, children also need school supplies and possibly new clothes. 

This article is going to discuss how to get ready for middle school! Read on to find out what you should do to get your child ready. 

Everything You Need to Know About How to Get Ready for Middle School

1. Discuss the Coming Changes

As your child enters middle school, s/he will likely be in a new school, surrounded by students s/he doesn’t know. It may take him/her time to adjust to such a change. Encourage your child to make new friends and be confident. Furthermore, you can talk positively about the coming changes to get your child excited about them, rather than nervous. 

In addition to a new social environment, children entering middle school will undergo schedule changes. For example, they may have longer class periods, more of a workload, and less time for play. Some middle schools have gotten rid of recess altogether. Again, discuss with your child what middle school will be like, and s/he will be better prepared to take on new challenges. 

2. Get Your Child’s Class Schedule

Nothing is more nerve-wracking than your first day of school. We all remember trying to find our next class, looking for familiar faces, and even getting lost. Whether your child is entering a new school or staying in the same one, it’s always a little scary trying to stay organized in the amid change.

Getting your child’s class schedule will help them prepare for their new routine. If your child is going to a new school for middle school, consider also getting them a map of the campus so they can see where each class is. 

3. Take a Tour of the School Facilities

As mentioned, going to a new school can be an intimidating process. That being said, arranging for a tour of the school will help your child familiarize his/herself with the school’s facilities. 

You may be able to get a tour of the campus on the meet-the-teacher night. Otherwise, you can easily schedule a visit by calling your local middle school. 

Before deciding which middle school to send your child, it’s always good to tour the school yourself. This way, you can see first-hand how quality the teaching environment is. 

4. Learn About School Rules

Learning about the school rules will help your child steer clear of accidentally breaking those rules on his/her first day. Here are some examples:

• Dress code: virtually every school has a different dress code. Some schools don’t allow any child to wear graphic T-shirts. Other schools may not allow sleeveless tops. Some schools have a minimum length requirement for shorts and skirts. Make sure your child doesn’t accidentally break the dress code!
• Cell phone use: Some middle schools do not allow phones to be out throughout the day. On the other hand, other schools allow children to have their phones out at lunch. If your child doesn’t know when it’s appropriate to have his/her phone out, s/he could get in trouble. Additionally, it’s important to know when you are allowed to communicate with your child for safety reasons.
• Open campus at lunchtime: Some schools allow children to leave the campus for lunch. Most schools don’t allow this anymore. However, if some of your child’s friends convince him/her to walk to a local fast food restaurant for lunch, and it’s against the rules, your child could get in trouble. 

5. Go School Shopping

Going school shopping will help your child prepare for his/her first day. Not only will they be ready for school, but being prepared will also give them a confidence boost.

One thing you will invariably need to shop for is school supplies. While there are general supplies that your child will need, such as writing utensils, paper, notebooks, and folders, it’s always good to check with your child’s teachers. The teachers may require specific supplies you wouldn’t have thought to buy.

Next, it’s always a good idea to get a planner for your child. This way, s/he can organize homework assignments, and you can stay up to date on big projects your child may have.

Last but not least, your child may need to go clothes shopping. Middle school-aged students are constantly growing and changing. That means they are going to need clothes that fit them. In addition to needing them, new clothes will help improve their self-confidence. If your child is nervous about his/her first day of school, getting him/her a new outfit may give him/her that boost of confidence s/he needs to conquer the first day of school!

Find a Quality Middle School for Your Child!

Now you know how to get ready for middle school, it’s time to find the perfect school to enroll your child in. While your child is automatically enrolled in your local public school, you have the choice of choosing to enroll in a charter school instead, which is often the better option. But which charter school should you enroll in?

Academy of Math and Science is a hands-on STEM-based middle school that is geared toward highly motivated students. The well-rounded curriculum includes engineering, technology, foreign language, music, and art programs. Additionally, children have the opportunity of participating in a college-prep program. If children are having trouble in a particular subject, students can attend after school tutoring. 

Find a location near you and schedule a campus tour today!