I am finding myself immersed in planning for our 8th grade students to attend New Trier High School. I returned their completed placement tests to New Trier and I am scheduling and attending multiple meetings in preparation for articulations (the Marie Murphy-New Trier transition meetings). It’s surprising how early this preparation starts. Students experience this, too. They are receiving frequent communication from the high school and are being asked to complete many forms.

All this attention to the future must make it challenging for students to stay in the moment. But there is so much left to do in eighth grade! The best advice I can give is STAY FOCUSED! Whether you plan to attend New Trier or will be going to a different high school, there is a lot of learning left to do right here.

A strong end to middle school is your best investment in a great beginning to high school.