As the year has progressed, many of the Academy’s new students have settled in with their classes and have made many friends. Transitioning to a new school is a tough challenge. But there was a different challenge for this year’s freshmen.

They had to go through the difficult transition from Middle School, or another school, to the Upper School. This challenge was accomplished with mixed thoughts from the freshman class. Upon being interviewed, one freshman stated that he went through the transition quite smoothly. He did not have any trouble with the more difficult classes or the after-school sports program. Instead, he embraced his high school experience with positive feelings. “I enjoy the sense of maturity I have due to being in the Upper School. We also have many more freedoms than we had in Middle School where we were not deemed mature or responsible enough to have that freedom,” he said.

He was one of the many freshmen who went through the transition smoothly. But there are some students that have not gone through this period as easily. Another freshman explained to me that he could not maintain the good grades he previously got in Middle School. He cited the increased amount of homework, and harder homework that was assigned. In Middle School, he would have been able to finish all of his homework and go to bed early, but now he is staying up later and later trying to finish it. This, he told me, was also due to the after-school sports program. He is having difficulty keeping up in the rigorous daily practices, and then going home and staying up late trying to study. It should be noted that there are opportunities during the day for freshmen to do homework. The new Upper School schedule has changed class time from fifty to forty minutes, which gives most freshmen two study halls per day. There are also many teachers who are willing to give extra help after school. He could always go to practice a little late if he had extra help. This particular freshman said he would consider using his time more wisely.

The transition from Middle to Upper School poses different challenges for each freshman. Students undergoing this challenge should expect an increased workload, a different environment, and a demanding after-school sports program. Anyone who is having difficulty going through this transition should seek help from teachers, parents, or counselors.