Getting Ready for Eighth Grade Graduation

Your child is about to take a big step in life! The transition from middle school to high school is more than a simple move from one grade level to the next. High school and college graduations are momentous occasions in any person’s life, but middle school graduation is no different. Here are some ways you can help your child honor this major life event. 

Help Your Child Become Independent

Children become teenagers in middle school. Yes, your child will always be your baby, but she’s starting to grow up. Finding a balance between helping your child when she needs it and giving her space can be difficult. Once your child goes off to high school, however, she’ll need to start becoming more independent as she prepares for college. The more your child learns to advocate for herself, the more prepared she’ll be for life after primary education. 

Talk About High School

By now, your child probably thinks about high school all the time, but she may not know what to expect. See what you can learn about the high school she’s going to, and do your best to inform her. Talk about all the ways high school is different from middle school without making it sound too scary. Your child definitely has questions about what the next step will look like. Help her find the answers.

Make Summer Plans

Look for opportunities for your child to work on her communication skills before she goes off to high school. Going to summer camp, especially as a counselor, can help a new teenager to learn to be an assertive communicator and a great leader. After camp, spend time together before school starts again. High school will keep your child busy, so taking a family vacation beforehand can remind her that you’re there when she needs you.

Celebrate the Graduation

For parents, eighth grade graduation may not seem like a big deal. Most children pass eighth grade with no real problems. However, this isn’t just about the end of her middle school journey — it’s also about the beginning of her journey into high school. Surprise your child with her favorite breakfast, or get the family together for a special dinner celebration, complete with a graduation cake. Make sure your child knows that you’re proud of her for taking the next step. 

At our schools, some children stay at the same school from preschool to eighth grade. That’s why we know that eighth grade graduation is a pivotal moment in a child’s life. For more than 50 years, the Diocese of Orlando, which includes the top Orlando private schools, has been helping children grow to their fullest potential and become leaders within their communities. We offer unique and dynamic learning environments that engage students and encourage them to become confident and responsible adults. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us today.