High School: Your End of School Year Reminders
/By: Audrey Fleischner
Memorial Day weekend might have been a wash-out this year, but summer is still right around the corner. As the school year comes to a close and you start powering down (or gearing up, depending on who you ask) for summer, we encourage you to not completely lose sight of high school admissions. Maybe as you relax on the beach with your incoming eight grader, you ask them their thoughts on small schools versus large schools. As you’re enjoying a lobster roll, perhaps you’re also perusing MySchools. Small moments of research can lead to greater understanding.
If you’re an eighth grade parent, make sure to take the time to CELEBRATE. Your child just graduated from middle school! That’s a huge accomplishment and you all should feel proud. There is often a lot of well-deserved fanfare and milestone experiences at the close of eighth grade. Your child is likely leaning into these experiences and not fully processing the transition ahead, and that is okay!
As the celebrations come to a close, expect some mixed emotions from your eighth grader. High school feels like a jump –academically, physically, and emotionally. The colossal buildings, longer commute, cool upper classmen…it can be intimidating! Some students feel ready and excited for the experience, while others fear the unknowns ahead. It is important to validate nerves while also instilling confidence. They are ready for this experience and their confidence will start with yours.
FAQ: When should I start the High School application process?
We recommend families begin school research starting Winter/Spring of 7th grade. At that point you will have a sense of your child’s academic strengths and interests, and can begin to envision the type of high school experience that fits. There are around 900 high school programs to choose from, so dipping your toe into school research in 7th allows you to avoid the feeling of “cramming” in fall. If you’re a 7th grade parent who hasn’t started yet, fear not! We can help you get caught up.
However, it is never too early to understand the NYC public high school system and application process. With this in mind, we are hosting our webinar: High School Clear and Simple (the last one of the school year and the only one until fall! on 6/9 7 pm). In 90-minutes you will learn everything you need to know about the high school admissions process, so that you can approach application season (whether that is one, two, or even three(!) school years away) with clarity and a focus on school fit. Tickets here.
7th Grade Family Summer Checklist:
Finalize an SHSAT and portfolio/audition prep plan if interested
Gather a long-list of around 2 dozen schools of interest
Visit some school websites (or check YouTube!) to check if there are recorded tours or info sessions
Give your child ample time to just be a kid in summer!
