High School on the Horizon!
How School Counselors Support the Transition Between 8th Grade and Freshman Year
Each student’s time in Manteca Unified School District, from
comprehensive high school visit elementary
TK – 12th grade, is an educational journey – and the transition
sites in their school boundary area to discuss
from elementary to high school is a particularly exciting next step!
classes and opportunities. During this event, students are handed a “Course Catalog”
As 8th grade students get ready to leave the campus they have
which lists class offerings across Manteca Unified. Students and
come to know so well, they will be exploring a much larger one
families are then encouraged to review the catalog to select
that will be brand new to them! Students can sometimes feel
courses that are school-specific. Even as students get older, parents
nervous or overwhelmed by the idea of moving on to high school,
and guardians continue to play an important role in their child’s
which is why counselors are there every step of the way..
educational journey throughout high school.
“Transitioning to high school is both
Sierra High School Counselor Adrian Hernandez often
exciting and anxiety provoking (in
encourages students to explore new territory when selecting
the best way)!” shares Lisa Wilson, a
courses. She states, “Students should try new things and
Lathrop High School Counselor. “Freshmen start
embrace all that high school has to offer as they practice
out as small fish in a big pond, with lots of new
self-advocacy and responsibility. The Course Catalog is a
and different faces. Their classes are longer, and they have more
great resource for students and families to plan for success — it
teachers, more work, and more expected from them than ever
has detailed information about class offerings, requirements, and
before. While this can be daunting, it is also an exhilarating time!
pathways. It’s an amazing tool to help plan a student’s high school
Students make new friends, establish supportive relationships with
career and beyond.”
teachers and staff, try new things, and get to become part of a loving and spirited high school community.”
Another significant way that counselors support students’ transition to high school is the annual 8th Grade Parent
High School Counselors have one of the most important roles
Night. Hosted in late winter following their
in MUSD, as they help guide students and families during their
visits to elementary schools, high schools invite
journey to and during high school.
both students and their families to attend this in-person event, which includes presentations
Each year, following Winter Break, counselors from each
from principals, counselors, teachers, athletic
Students at Neil Hafley and Veritas Elementary Schools Work with Counselors to Plan their Freshman Year coaches and staff about classes, campus culture, expectations,
Counselor Lisa Wilson states, “When students begin as freshmen
extracurricular opportunities, and more. These Parent Nights
in August, they should take advantage of all opportunities, help,
are also an opportunity to remind parents of the importance of
support, and programs available to them. They will learn different
checking emails, Q Student and Parent Connect accounts, and
things and grow as a person!” If students are unsure where to
following the school’s social media platforms to stay up to date on
locate these support systems, visiting their high school’s counseling
relevant information.
office is a great first step.
“School sites try to prepare students and parents for how to
The end of the school year will be here before we know it. There is
be successful in high school, and having a plan will only make
so much for 8th graders to look forward to in the coming months:
students more successful. Parents appreciate 8th Grade Night
school dances, field trips, and celebration ceremonies. But as 8th
because they like to see what clubs and electives are available
graders prepare to leave their campuses behind, we would like to
to their child next school year, and their feedback has been
leave them with one request:
informative for us as we continue this practice,” states Samuel Gonzales, a counselor at Weston Ranch High School.
Over the next few months, soak in your time at your elementary school, where
Following 8th Grade Parent Nights, academic counselors return to
you have grown from an early learner
elementary schools to have a one-on-one meeting with each 8th
to a maturing student ready to take
grade student. During these meetings, counselors answer questions
on a new adventure. We understand your
and enroll students in their freshman classes. Families are invited
eagerness to begin high school and “grow up”, but this is a time to
to this meeting and are strongly encouraged to attend as they are
appreciate the teachers, staff, and friends you have made along
critical partners in their child’s education.
the way. While change can be bittersweet, we have no doubt that high school will be all that you dreamed of – and more.
“Neil Hafley taught me how to be more caring. I’m going to take everything I learned here into my leadership classes in high school.” - Abigail Guillermo, 8th Grade Student Body President