From Middle School to High School

It is a large change going from middle school to high school. For this year's incoming 9th-grade class here at Stevenson, this change comes with new expectations, classes and independence. There are many new students who joined the class of 2029 this year. 

For most, the transition has been very easy. “Very good,” says one freshman boarder of his experience so far. “I have an older brother here so I feel familiar with

From the Stevenson Instagram of orientation

the school already.” However, while this student feels comfortable at school,  he describes leaving their home country and living without their parents as the hardest part of the transition. 

The students at Stevenson come from many different backgrounds, and each brings their own experiences. Speaking to another freshman, Reed Czerny, who has gone to Stevenson for their whole life, I found that starting high school has been something that they have been waiting for “forever.” For some, high school feels like a natural transition, especially after being immersed in the school for so long.  

Freshman in dorm common room, Stevenson Instagram

Despite these students' different backgrounds, they are both learning to adapt in their new environment. Whether it is adjusting to a new culture or faster school pace, the class of 2029 is learning to balance their new high school responsibilities. Stevenson offers support for the transition: there is an orientation that helps students meet each other before school starts, clubs are welcome to everyone and are a great way of meeting others with similar interests to yours, and sport teams are another way of finding your people. Together, these opportunities create a community where every freshman can find support as they begin their high school journey.