Patrick Dwyer Merrill Lynch Miami has made it a point to never forget what it’s like to step into middle school for the first time — a feeling that can only be described as excitement infused with both nervousness and anxious feelings.
Dwyer understands that kids are excited headed into middle school because now they are “big kids.” No more kindergarten or primary school — both of which are for babies, a middle schooler might conclude.
But, at the same time, middle school can be a scary time. Choices are being made that can affect your entire middle and high school career. There are certain pitfalls to avoid when experiencing the new environment of middle school, where a student comes across new teachers, new schoolmates, and newer, harder material to cover.
Since just about every other child who is about to enter middle school probably experiences the same kinds of fears and worries, we’ll go over a few things to consider before choosing which middle school is the best for your child/children.
1.) Location, location, location!
It’s important to not only make sure you choose the right school based on its curriculum, but also based on its location. Trekking across town to head to the “It” school might become exhausting, and you might lose a lot of valuable time on the road as a result. Carefully consider where the school is located in relation to where you live and work. It just might make your choice a little easier.
2.) Check out the campus.
Make sure that the school itself is in good shape and that students have the amenities they need to keep them motivated, engaged, and entertained for each and every school day. Having modern, working facilities is crucial to academic development.
3.) Take the tour.
Don’t just take people’s word for it. Take a trip out to the schools in question just to see them with your own two eyes — that way you have a very clear idea of where your child will be during these formative years of his/her life.
4.) Familiarize yourself with staff and faculty.
Equally as important as the school itself is staff and faculty, otherwise all we’re talking about is a building with someone’s name on it. Make sure that your child’s middle school has dedicated faculty who know how to challenge and work with children. Those are the people who get the most out of students. The worst thing to do is have a child be taught by someone who is just there to collect a pension.
5.) Remember that middle school isn’t forever.
If this choice seems extremely heavy to you, then take a step back. Middle school only lasts 2 years in most cases (in some cases 3), so it’s not as committal as high school. You can also augment your child’s curriculum with covering new material at home, if you feel their curriculum is lacking in any area.
But, of course, this doesn’t make middle school any less important. Make sure that you weigh your options and communicate with your child when it comes to choosing a middle school. We hope taking some of the measures above helps you in making the right choice.