High school is scary. Ask any eighth grader.
It’s new and exciting to many, but also terrifying at the same time. High school has more students, more classes, more activities, and more ways to feel lost. And that’s just how the kids in the public middle schools feel.
Imagine being a homeschooler. You’re in ninth grade and it’s your first time to attend public school.
High school is a difficult transition for many students, especially those who do not come from a public school background. Though public high school can be a wonderful experience for prior homeschool students, the transition can be difficult. Parents should take steps to ensure that this transition is made with ease.
Feel Comfortable with the Building
One of the most intimidating things about high school is the sheer size of the building. For students accustomed to attending school is their kitchen or living room, the intersecting hallways of a large high school can seem like a hopeless maze. The first day of class is stressful enough for your student without the fear of not being able to find his classes. A few simple actions can help eliminate this problem.
- Most high schools will allow students to receive their class schedule a few days prior to the start of class. Email your student’s school counselor to obtain a copy.
- Sit down with a map of the school and look over it with your student, making sure he understands where important things are located, like the main office, attendance office, and counseling office. This way he will know where to seek help if he needs it.
- Use his class schedule to highlight the location of each of his classes and then plan his route, using a pen to show the path on the map. Don’t forget to highlight the cafeteria and include his lunch break in the route.
- Most high schools will allow students to take a tour a few weeks prior to the start of class. Bring the map along so your student can see how it relates to the actual building. If possible, walk through his daily route.
- Encourage your student to look over the map until he is comfortable with where his classes are and advise him to take the map with him to school the first day so he can look at it if he gets lost.
Meet the Administrators
Homeschool students are usually unaccustomed to principals, school counselors, and attendance clerks. While many of these people will be too busy to meet with you and your student, it is helpful to meet whoever is available.
Your student’s school counselor is the most important person to meet as he will be the person having the most long-term contact with your student. Most counselors are happy to meet with students if parents ask. If your student feels comfortable talking to his school counselor before school starts, he will be able to go to him easily if he needs anything after school starts.
Understand the Rules
Most public high schools have dress codes, PDA rules, and behavior restrictions. These rules are unfamiliar to homeschool students and should be closely reviewed prior to the first day of class. They can usually be found in the high school’s student handbook or the school district’s student handbook. After all, an inappropriate shirt the first day of class can lead to after-school detention or other punishments that will cause the student’s first day to be unpleasant.
Review the rules to ensure your student’s first-day attire and behavior is appropriate. Reprimands and punishments cause students’ frustration and embarrassment. Students will have a better public school experience if they follow the rules and avoid needing discipline.
Be Confident
Assure your student that he will love high school and do well. Your encouragement and excitement will make him more eager to begin and prove you right. Help your student feel prepared for the first day by allowing a few splurges.
- Go school supply shopping and let your student help pick out the different things he needs for class. Having the notebooks he likes may seem like an insignificant detail, but that can actually boost confidence. Pride in his belongings will allow him to feel more comfortable in class, because it gives him one less thing to worry about.
- Buy your student a backpack or book bag that he likes, so he will feel confident walking around school with his books.
- Take your student shopping for some new clothes for school. Maybe even help him pick out a first-day outfit so he will feel confident in making his first impression.
Public high school is an intimidating new experience for homeschool students, but it can be a very good experience. Easing the transition will help ensure your student’s success and happiness in the public school environment.
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