8th Graders Learn More About Course Offerings at EHS

The transition from middle school to high school can sometimes seem daunting for youngsters, but faculty and staff members have been hard at work to ensure that, by the time eighth graders wrap up the school year this June, they will be ready and eager to make the most of their experience at EHS.

On Thursday and Friday of this week, eighth graders visited the high school during their Physical Education periods, meeting in groups with EHS Department Chairs to get a better sense of the academic choices available to them once they enter high school. 

EHS Guidance Chair Heather Reilly said the breadth and depth of courses available to high school students is indicative of the the increasing number of options that students will have to make as they continue their educational journeys, 

“A lot of the academic decisions in elementary and middle school, and even—in some ways—in the ninth grade, are determined by graduation requirements. But each year in high school, and eventually in college, students will have many more course options available to them” said Reilly. “So we’re teaching them not only about what courses are available, but also giving them the tools they need to make decisions about which courses are right for them.”

The presentations focused both on elective courses and offerings in core subject areas, giving students a clearer picture of the academic landscape at EHS. Reilly noted that each student was given a worksheet during this week’s meetings and the youngsters were encouraged to jot down some of the facts about the course offerings they learned during talks with each department—as well as their overall opinions on the classes—so that they are better able to explore these ideas with their families and counselors further.

“We want students to take those notes home so that when they are speaking with their families, they have the information that will allow them to have meaningful conversations,” said Reilly. “We are hoping that these family discussions will touch on the excitement level that a student may have for a particular subject or class, as well as an honest assessment of the challenge level of these courses as well.”

Reilly added that high school counselors will continue to work alongside their counterparts at EMS to prepare students for life in the high school over the next few months, as youngsters will be assigned to an EHS counselor who will help them navigate challenges ahead, including schedule construction and—later—the college application process. 

She emphasized that the staff at EHS is looking forward to working with this group of incoming ninth graders and forging connections that will be so important over the next four years. On March 4, EHS will host its annual 8th Grade Parent Night to give families a better idea of how to help their students navigate their high school transitions.

“We make sure to mention in every conversation that each year in high school is a brand new year,” said Reilly. “Maybe you didn’t take honors classes one year, but you have an interest in taking them the next; you can change electives and focus on different subject areas from year-to-year, which is important because students are growing, changing, and exploring new interests throughout their four years of high school.”