Emotions about eighth grade transition to high school runs high

As eighth grade enters the final stretch, many students are starting to plan for the future. High school is a very scary, exciting, and new time for all eighth graders, and many are excited for it. At the same time, there are many things that eighth graders say they will miss. Sean Ehrlich, an eighth grader at Edison Intermediate School (EIS), said he is looking forward to “seeing kids from the other side of town.”

His classmate, Malcolm “Da Aura” Shaefer, agreed heavily, “I’m looking forward to meeting new people and new experiences.”

Eight grade student, Casey Smith, said, “I’m looking forward to the flex period and the lunch being mixed with everyone.”

In addition to elective classes, students have also been given the option to switch languages in high school. Rather than taking the typical French or Spanish classes offered at EIS, students will now have the opportunity to change to a language they have never taken before. The new language options are Italian, Mandarin, Latin, and American Sign Language (ASL). 

Freshman who go to Westfield High School all have new experiences in elective classes that are more extensive than in middle school. High school brings an entirely new selection of classes into the picture for students. These new classes bring excitement as well as nervousness to students since they are unfamiliar with the choices for freshman year electives.

“I’m taking ceramics and TV 1,”  8th grader Dylan Grawher stated.

“I’m taking ceramics and intro to marketing,” eighth grader Brady Quay added.

“I’m switching to Latin,”  eighth grader Malcolm Shaefer mentioned.

On the extracurricular side of things, eighth grader Ella Wint explained, “I’m looking forward to lacrosse, and I’m trying field hockey and musical clubs.” 

In addition, Casey said she is “excited for Westfield soccer.”

Along with EIS students feeling eager to start the next chapter of their lives, high school brings more challenges socially and academically. “If you’re preparing for your teen to make the leap from middle school to high school, there might be a rollercoaster of emotions happening—for you and your teen. They are about to step into a new world of experiences, challenges, and opportunities. This transition can be both exciting and overwhelming to a young teen, as they face increasing academic demands, higher expectations, and added peer pressure, all while trying to ‘fit in’” (Newport Editorial Team). Overall, the average student has to maintain good grades, smart habits, and a strong social structure. About preparing for the shift to high school, eighth grade ELA teacher Mrs. Erin Meade said, ‘I tutor some students who are freshmen at Westfield High School. My advice for the eighth graders is to stay organized, write down your assignments so you can plan out your homework, and ask your teachers for help if you get overwhelmed.”

Mrs. Meade added, “High school is a big transition, but it is also a very fun time in life. Don’t forget to relax and lean into the new experiences that make life better. High school is a great time to grow and expand.”