Chapter 5: Transition to High School: Creating Community

The transition to high school is a challenge for both students and their parents. This chapter presents background on the transition to high school and a description of the ways in which one Midwestern, suburban high school has addressed concerns regarding the transition of eighth grade students into and though their freshman year. The chapter will focus on a Freshman Advisory program specifically developed for ninth grade students with the mission of helping the freshmen to “Be Well and Do Well,” as well as on a Family Center outreach program whose mission is to engage parents and the community by offering classes, workshops, presentations, and discussions on topics relevant both to the community and to the school.