Do you have tips or suggestions for high school preparation in general? If so, please share here!
16 thoughts on “General Advice”
(from a parent)
As a parent, I can give a couple pieces of advice from my experience:
1. I forced Ethan to do a fall sport (I say I “forced” Ethan because he was 100% unwilling to try a high school sport. After the first day of practice, he loved it), he picked cross-country, which began the end of July. This gave him over a month to meet kids and make new friends, so that on the first day of school, there were some friendly faces around the building. Cross country is also a walk-on, so kids who have never run before can still be part of the team. Ethan is taking the winter off, but will play on the HS tennis team in the spring.
2. Think very carefully before committing to a Center that is outside of your zoned school. Since Freeman is our zoned school, Ethan gets on the bus at 8:20am and arrives home at 4:25pm. For logistic/selfish reasons, I did not allow him to apply to any other centers, so if he hadn’t gotten into Leadership, he would have done “Regular Freeman.” Attending a school outside of your zone requires either dealing with the hub, or extra driving around, and makes sports and activities a lot more challenging when the school is far away.
3. Don’t worry that your child won’t get a good education or won’t get into a good college if they attend their zoned school outside of the center. As parents, we always want the best for our kids, and it’s nice when our kids are part of the “special group.” The Center is great, and it’s nice to have a smaller “school within the school,” but my daughter went through “Regular Freeman,” took all Honors and AP classes, and is now in her first year at UVA. She was able to have a more flexible schedule, and take more science classes, which she enjoys much more than the History classes she would have had in the Leadership Center.
I hope all of you are enjoying 8th grade so far, and also are making sure to check out some high schools. I’m a current 9th grader at the Center for Medical Sciences at Godwin, but like you, I applied to and was interested in other specialty centers.
I think that the high school selection process is a great way to prepare for what will happen in college, and I definitely learned a lot of lessons from it. Here are my main takeaways from last year:
Be open to all of the high schools. I can’t stress enough how important it is to let go of your opinions on any specific high school and explore them as much as you can. I remember going to nearly all of the HS Specialty Center sessions and seeing almost every specialty center. Always have a good idea of what’s out there, because you may regret not taking an opportunity later. In my case, I never considered Godwin because I thought I wasn’t a medical person. Later I realized that medicine was more than being a doctor (more on that in my Godwin Specialty post), and I decided to apply there. Now, I go to Godwin and even participate in the medical club, so you never know how your interests will change.
Don’t fall into the trap of going where your friends are going. Trust me, I wanted to stay with my Moody friends too, but understand that it’s going to be four years of your life you could waste by going to a center you aren’t interested in. Some of my closest friends that I’ve been with since kindergarten are now going to different high schools, but I’m still keeping in contact with them and meeting frequently. In Godwin, I’ve also been able to make many new friends who share similar interests with me. For applying to centers, try to only apply to 3-4 centers to show your commitment to your passion. I’m interested in STEM, and I applied to Deep Run, Tucker, Godwin, and Maggie Walker. Don’t let your friends peer-pressure you into applying to more or fewer centers than you want.
Most importantly, enjoy yourself! If there’s one thing you get from this, remember to enjoy your last year in middle school. Enjoy knowing everyone and the school, because you will only get one opportunity. You’ve already made a great decision by choosing to take Gifted, and Moody definitely prepares you for high school. I think if I tell my 8th-grade self one thing, I would tell myself to enjoy middle school more. Moody has some of the best teachers you will ever meet, and the environment it creates is unlike any other middle school out there. Participate in clubs. Participate in volunteering. And for sure, don’t miss the 8th-grade dance (this is coming from the most introverted INTJs you’ll ever meet ☺).
The bottom line is: I’ve been in your shoes, applied to the same centers, worried about the same things you will, and I got through just fine. Oh, and remember the thing I mentioned about Gifted? Well, I wasn’t kidding or overstating. I took Gifted for 3 years, and 8th-grade Gifted was undeniably the most enjoyable and worth it. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Chandler throughout middle school, and I can say with 100% confidence that she is the reason I am where I am today. High school applications can be a little rough, and she was very supportive of not just me but anyone who came for help. I know Gifted isn’t always fun and be a lot of work, but at the end of applications (or even now), please take the time to thank your teachers for the work they put in just to help you. This gratitude will take you a long way in not just applications but throughout your life.
High school is definitely a nervous time. Not only do you leave behind friends from middle school, but you also transfer to another school with new people and many upper-classmen.
However, I can confidently say that high school is an exciting adventure of new friends, new experiences, and new ideas. You may go through challenges, as you do through every stage in life, but the positives heavily outweigh the negatives. You are able to connect with people of similar interests, expand your social circles, and integrate yourself as a part of a new community. You’ll learn more about school spirit and explore some of your deepest passions.
Make sure to apply to a high school that you are most interested in being a part of; you will spend the next four years of school studying their courses. Also, be open-minded about the new community you will soon be a part of. Making friends appears to be nerve-wracking, but once new friends are made, stronger friendships are formed. Don’t spend every moment worrying about the future because you will miss the present.
While seemingly daunting, high school will teach you to fully embrace yourself and be the best version of you!
Hey Eighth graders!
Wow, now when I look back to the times in middle school it makes me want to go back. Please live every second of your last year there to the fullest. Those are the moments that never come back. Although, I have to say, High school is really great. Moody really prepares you for the rough times. But there are some tips: please don’t choose a school because of your friends, choose a school based on your interests, be happy with your decision, don’t stress about making it in everywhere, you will do fabulous at any school, and take things seriously at moody because it really pays off.
Please cherish your middle school moments. I miss so many of my friends from moody since I don’t see a single one of them anymore. While it’s really sad, it’s a great time since you get to meet new people, just like I have been. I think that I have less work than I did I moody, but I still miss moody. It’s kinda like I’m homesick…but you’ll get over it.
Transitioning into high school is hard and scary, but as soon as you start all of those feelings will go away! I would say enjoy 8th grade because you won’t be seeing the same people you are used to seeing. Don’t just apply to a center because your friends are, apply to where you want to go. Also, don’t be afraid to make new friends in high school, you do have way more freedom, and you will be with these people for the next four years. Moody does a fantastic job of preparing you for high school:)
Again, some things that have been said but are worth restating.
1: Enjoy eight grade. It is impossible that all of your friends will end up at the same high school, so make sure you relax and enjoy time with them.
2: Don’t stress applications. This is a simple concept that many people, myself included, found difficult to grasp. Not worrying about HS Apps makes eight grade a lot more enjoyable.
3: Apply where you want and only where you want. Again, a simple concept, but most people apply to centers just to say they applied.
4: Don’t be afraid of your zone school. I know several people who go to their zone school and are doing just fine.
5: Don’t go somewhere just for your friends. You will meet people anyway.
High school is SO MUCH BETTER than middle school.
Why? New friends, new teachers, and a new place means you get to reinvent yourself to however you want to be.
You also get to think about your future more and what you want to be.
You meet other people (maybe they’re older than you) that are just like you and are very different than you.
Regardless of your specialty center, you’ll have ups and downs.
Just a few simple things that have been said, but are worth mentioning again..
1) Don’t let the workload scare you. Really, I’m doing less now then I was doing at Moody. That’s not saying that my center doesn’t dish out a lot of work, I’m just saying that Moody was rigorous, and if you’re succeeding in the IB program, you’re going to succeed in whatever center you decide to apply to.
2) Whatever center you pick, let it be your choice. All of the centers are unique, so there are some that just won’t fit with you. Do, not, ever, go to a center simply because its where a friend is going. As sad as it is to leave some friends behind, going to a center that you aren’t interested in will just result in a bad high school experience. Let the decision be your own.
3) Don’t force yourself to apply to a center. There are plent of people that didn’t apply to any, and are just going to their zone schools. There is nothing wrong with that, and coming from the IB program you’re going to be put in advanced classes anyway. If no center piques your interest, don’t force yourself to apply to anything.
Hello 8th Graders!
I am going to give you a unique view on the high school application process. I say you don’t have to apply for any specialty center if you do not want to. I didn’t apply and I am perfectly fine and loving high school. Goodluck!!!!
From a Parent…
Just a few of my impressions on the centers:
1-People tend to over-emphasize the workload. They seem to want to intimidate you out of applying by going on an on about how much work there will be. I think this is a sad exaggeration. Yes, there is more work than in the regular classes. But who cares? Why let them coast and limit their growth potential. Besides, free time is not usually used constructively (idle hands as they say). My child juggles classes, year-round sports and boy scouts and still has some free time for friends…he just doesn’t have time for TV which is a good thing.
2-Every negative thing that I ever heard about the gifted zone, Moody or the centers turned out to be untrue. So my rule of thumb with this subject: If it sounds like sour grapes, it probably is! We learned so much about the different centers by attending their individual info sessions. You’ll see the actual class descriptions and meet current students and teachers. My child actually ended up applying for one that he had previously discounted. He thought he knew what they were all about ahead of time based on general impressions from his friends or others. But these were usually wrong! So tell your students and parents to find out for themselves and look into everything! You may think that a center is only for people who want to major in ____ or that the demographic for a school is primarily _____. But you’re probably wrong 🙂 And if you’re hesitant about a center due to its location, tour the school. We know a few kids that were so impressed with the center labs at Highland Springs, for example, that the long commute no longer deterred them. Be open-minded and have fun!
The high school application process can get really confusing and stressful for people. There’s a lot of pressure to get everything right whether it’s actually choosing which center(s), getting good grades, or writing the high school essays. All these aspects are important, but it’s equally important to remember to do what you like. A lot of people feel like they have to apply to everything and end up wasting time on centers in which they aren’t even interested. Where ever you go, you should feel like you belong there. Talk to older students at the centers, go to open houses. It’s important to find something with which you relate. Enjoy 8th grade and keep on top of your work. Make sure to not get overwhelmed with the application process!
Applying for high schools can be extremely stressful and tedious. The beginning of the application process is always the hardest; figuring out where you want to apply, spending your valuable nights attending open houses, and hearing about all of the different schools from other people adds a lot of stress. However, I can’t stress enough how important it is to keep an open mind through the entire process and to talk to as many people as you can about their high school experience. At the end of the day, you’ll get to the perfect high school for you. Make sure to not slack off during your last year of middle school and to stay on top of your work and applications. You will have fun no matter where you go, whether it’s a specialty center or your home school. Just go with your gut and you’ll make the right decision. Good luck with your applications and enjoy 8th grade! It’ll be over before you know it!
Hey Eighth Graders,
Firstly, I want you to know that Moody will prepare you extremely well for high school and you will have an easy transition. However, the difficult thing about Moody is that most people feel like their entire eighth grade year has to be perfect in order to get accepted to specialty centers. I promise that it’s okay if you don’t get all A’s. I am at Maggie Walker and many classmates came here with mostly B’s.
I can’t speak for everyone, but I felt pressured by my classmates to be perfect every day at Moody and it felt like I went to middle school only to get accepted to high schools.
If you are stressed out, that’s completely normal. High school apps are a big part of life at Moody, unlike at other middle schools, and it’s unfortunate that it is like that. In the end, you will be happy wherever you go, even if it isn’t your first choice.
Don’t feel pressured to apply everywhere. I only applied to Maggie Walker and many of my peers (and a lot of their parents, too) seemed upset with me for not “leaving my options open.” Don’t spend your entire winter break writing essays for schools you don’t want to attend. Go with your gut and enjoy your last year of middle school.
From another Parent…
After getting 3 kids through middle school (and now watching the 1st as a college sophomore), if there is one critical skill above most others is the ability to write creatively and do so clearly as well as legibly.
From a Parent…
students who want to go to EVERY open house that this, too, shall pass. It is a grueling few weeks to get around to every center, but you can do it if that is what your child truly needs to figure it all out. Our family timed drives and talked about actually going to these locations daily for 4 years. Don’t forget extra-curriculars don’t have bus transportation!
(from a parent)
As a parent, I can give a couple pieces of advice from my experience:
1. I forced Ethan to do a fall sport (I say I “forced” Ethan because he was 100% unwilling to try a high school sport. After the first day of practice, he loved it), he picked cross-country, which began the end of July. This gave him over a month to meet kids and make new friends, so that on the first day of school, there were some friendly faces around the building. Cross country is also a walk-on, so kids who have never run before can still be part of the team. Ethan is taking the winter off, but will play on the HS tennis team in the spring.
2. Think very carefully before committing to a Center that is outside of your zoned school. Since Freeman is our zoned school, Ethan gets on the bus at 8:20am and arrives home at 4:25pm. For logistic/selfish reasons, I did not allow him to apply to any other centers, so if he hadn’t gotten into Leadership, he would have done “Regular Freeman.” Attending a school outside of your zone requires either dealing with the hub, or extra driving around, and makes sports and activities a lot more challenging when the school is far away.
3. Don’t worry that your child won’t get a good education or won’t get into a good college if they attend their zoned school outside of the center. As parents, we always want the best for our kids, and it’s nice when our kids are part of the “special group.” The Center is great, and it’s nice to have a smaller “school within the school,” but my daughter went through “Regular Freeman,” took all Honors and AP classes, and is now in her first year at UVA. She was able to have a more flexible schedule, and take more science classes, which she enjoys much more than the History classes she would have had in the Leadership Center.
Hey Future 9th graders!
I hope all of you are enjoying 8th grade so far, and also are making sure to check out some high schools. I’m a current 9th grader at the Center for Medical Sciences at Godwin, but like you, I applied to and was interested in other specialty centers.
I think that the high school selection process is a great way to prepare for what will happen in college, and I definitely learned a lot of lessons from it. Here are my main takeaways from last year:
Be open to all of the high schools. I can’t stress enough how important it is to let go of your opinions on any specific high school and explore them as much as you can. I remember going to nearly all of the HS Specialty Center sessions and seeing almost every specialty center. Always have a good idea of what’s out there, because you may regret not taking an opportunity later. In my case, I never considered Godwin because I thought I wasn’t a medical person. Later I realized that medicine was more than being a doctor (more on that in my Godwin Specialty post), and I decided to apply there. Now, I go to Godwin and even participate in the medical club, so you never know how your interests will change.
Don’t fall into the trap of going where your friends are going. Trust me, I wanted to stay with my Moody friends too, but understand that it’s going to be four years of your life you could waste by going to a center you aren’t interested in. Some of my closest friends that I’ve been with since kindergarten are now going to different high schools, but I’m still keeping in contact with them and meeting frequently. In Godwin, I’ve also been able to make many new friends who share similar interests with me. For applying to centers, try to only apply to 3-4 centers to show your commitment to your passion. I’m interested in STEM, and I applied to Deep Run, Tucker, Godwin, and Maggie Walker. Don’t let your friends peer-pressure you into applying to more or fewer centers than you want.
Most importantly, enjoy yourself! If there’s one thing you get from this, remember to enjoy your last year in middle school. Enjoy knowing everyone and the school, because you will only get one opportunity. You’ve already made a great decision by choosing to take Gifted, and Moody definitely prepares you for high school. I think if I tell my 8th-grade self one thing, I would tell myself to enjoy middle school more. Moody has some of the best teachers you will ever meet, and the environment it creates is unlike any other middle school out there. Participate in clubs. Participate in volunteering. And for sure, don’t miss the 8th-grade dance (this is coming from the most introverted INTJs you’ll ever meet ☺).
The bottom line is: I’ve been in your shoes, applied to the same centers, worried about the same things you will, and I got through just fine. Oh, and remember the thing I mentioned about Gifted? Well, I wasn’t kidding or overstating. I took Gifted for 3 years, and 8th-grade Gifted was undeniably the most enjoyable and worth it. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Chandler throughout middle school, and I can say with 100% confidence that she is the reason I am where I am today. High school applications can be a little rough, and she was very supportive of not just me but anyone who came for help. I know Gifted isn’t always fun and be a lot of work, but at the end of applications (or even now), please take the time to thank your teachers for the work they put in just to help you. This gratitude will take you a long way in not just applications but throughout your life.
High school is definitely a nervous time. Not only do you leave behind friends from middle school, but you also transfer to another school with new people and many upper-classmen.
However, I can confidently say that high school is an exciting adventure of new friends, new experiences, and new ideas. You may go through challenges, as you do through every stage in life, but the positives heavily outweigh the negatives. You are able to connect with people of similar interests, expand your social circles, and integrate yourself as a part of a new community. You’ll learn more about school spirit and explore some of your deepest passions.
Make sure to apply to a high school that you are most interested in being a part of; you will spend the next four years of school studying their courses. Also, be open-minded about the new community you will soon be a part of. Making friends appears to be nerve-wracking, but once new friends are made, stronger friendships are formed. Don’t spend every moment worrying about the future because you will miss the present.
While seemingly daunting, high school will teach you to fully embrace yourself and be the best version of you!
Hey Eighth graders!
Wow, now when I look back to the times in middle school it makes me want to go back. Please live every second of your last year there to the fullest. Those are the moments that never come back. Although, I have to say, High school is really great. Moody really prepares you for the rough times. But there are some tips: please don’t choose a school because of your friends, choose a school based on your interests, be happy with your decision, don’t stress about making it in everywhere, you will do fabulous at any school, and take things seriously at moody because it really pays off.
Please cherish your middle school moments. I miss so many of my friends from moody since I don’t see a single one of them anymore. While it’s really sad, it’s a great time since you get to meet new people, just like I have been. I think that I have less work than I did I moody, but I still miss moody. It’s kinda like I’m homesick…but you’ll get over it.
Transitioning into high school is hard and scary, but as soon as you start all of those feelings will go away! I would say enjoy 8th grade because you won’t be seeing the same people you are used to seeing. Don’t just apply to a center because your friends are, apply to where you want to go. Also, don’t be afraid to make new friends in high school, you do have way more freedom, and you will be with these people for the next four years. Moody does a fantastic job of preparing you for high school:)
Again, some things that have been said but are worth restating.
1: Enjoy eight grade. It is impossible that all of your friends will end up at the same high school, so make sure you relax and enjoy time with them.
2: Don’t stress applications. This is a simple concept that many people, myself included, found difficult to grasp. Not worrying about HS Apps makes eight grade a lot more enjoyable.
3: Apply where you want and only where you want. Again, a simple concept, but most people apply to centers just to say they applied.
4: Don’t be afraid of your zone school. I know several people who go to their zone school and are doing just fine.
5: Don’t go somewhere just for your friends. You will meet people anyway.
High school is SO MUCH BETTER than middle school.
Why? New friends, new teachers, and a new place means you get to reinvent yourself to however you want to be.
You also get to think about your future more and what you want to be.
You meet other people (maybe they’re older than you) that are just like you and are very different than you.
Regardless of your specialty center, you’ll have ups and downs.
Just a few simple things that have been said, but are worth mentioning again..
1) Don’t let the workload scare you. Really, I’m doing less now then I was doing at Moody. That’s not saying that my center doesn’t dish out a lot of work, I’m just saying that Moody was rigorous, and if you’re succeeding in the IB program, you’re going to succeed in whatever center you decide to apply to.
2) Whatever center you pick, let it be your choice. All of the centers are unique, so there are some that just won’t fit with you. Do, not, ever, go to a center simply because its where a friend is going. As sad as it is to leave some friends behind, going to a center that you aren’t interested in will just result in a bad high school experience. Let the decision be your own.
3) Don’t force yourself to apply to a center. There are plent of people that didn’t apply to any, and are just going to their zone schools. There is nothing wrong with that, and coming from the IB program you’re going to be put in advanced classes anyway. If no center piques your interest, don’t force yourself to apply to anything.
Hello 8th Graders!
I am going to give you a unique view on the high school application process. I say you don’t have to apply for any specialty center if you do not want to. I didn’t apply and I am perfectly fine and loving high school. Goodluck!!!!
From a Parent…
Just a few of my impressions on the centers:
1-People tend to over-emphasize the workload. They seem to want to intimidate you out of applying by going on an on about how much work there will be. I think this is a sad exaggeration. Yes, there is more work than in the regular classes. But who cares? Why let them coast and limit their growth potential. Besides, free time is not usually used constructively (idle hands as they say). My child juggles classes, year-round sports and boy scouts and still has some free time for friends…he just doesn’t have time for TV which is a good thing.
2-Every negative thing that I ever heard about the gifted zone, Moody or the centers turned out to be untrue. So my rule of thumb with this subject: If it sounds like sour grapes, it probably is! We learned so much about the different centers by attending their individual info sessions. You’ll see the actual class descriptions and meet current students and teachers. My child actually ended up applying for one that he had previously discounted. He thought he knew what they were all about ahead of time based on general impressions from his friends or others. But these were usually wrong! So tell your students and parents to find out for themselves and look into everything! You may think that a center is only for people who want to major in ____ or that the demographic for a school is primarily _____. But you’re probably wrong 🙂 And if you’re hesitant about a center due to its location, tour the school. We know a few kids that were so impressed with the center labs at Highland Springs, for example, that the long commute no longer deterred them. Be open-minded and have fun!
The high school application process can get really confusing and stressful for people. There’s a lot of pressure to get everything right whether it’s actually choosing which center(s), getting good grades, or writing the high school essays. All these aspects are important, but it’s equally important to remember to do what you like. A lot of people feel like they have to apply to everything and end up wasting time on centers in which they aren’t even interested. Where ever you go, you should feel like you belong there. Talk to older students at the centers, go to open houses. It’s important to find something with which you relate. Enjoy 8th grade and keep on top of your work. Make sure to not get overwhelmed with the application process!
Applying for high schools can be extremely stressful and tedious. The beginning of the application process is always the hardest; figuring out where you want to apply, spending your valuable nights attending open houses, and hearing about all of the different schools from other people adds a lot of stress. However, I can’t stress enough how important it is to keep an open mind through the entire process and to talk to as many people as you can about their high school experience. At the end of the day, you’ll get to the perfect high school for you. Make sure to not slack off during your last year of middle school and to stay on top of your work and applications. You will have fun no matter where you go, whether it’s a specialty center or your home school. Just go with your gut and you’ll make the right decision. Good luck with your applications and enjoy 8th grade! It’ll be over before you know it!
Hey Eighth Graders,
Firstly, I want you to know that Moody will prepare you extremely well for high school and you will have an easy transition. However, the difficult thing about Moody is that most people feel like their entire eighth grade year has to be perfect in order to get accepted to specialty centers. I promise that it’s okay if you don’t get all A’s. I am at Maggie Walker and many classmates came here with mostly B’s.
I can’t speak for everyone, but I felt pressured by my classmates to be perfect every day at Moody and it felt like I went to middle school only to get accepted to high schools.
If you are stressed out, that’s completely normal. High school apps are a big part of life at Moody, unlike at other middle schools, and it’s unfortunate that it is like that. In the end, you will be happy wherever you go, even if it isn’t your first choice.
Don’t feel pressured to apply everywhere. I only applied to Maggie Walker and many of my peers (and a lot of their parents, too) seemed upset with me for not “leaving my options open.” Don’t spend your entire winter break writing essays for schools you don’t want to attend. Go with your gut and enjoy your last year of middle school.
From another Parent…
After getting 3 kids through middle school (and now watching the 1st as a college sophomore), if there is one critical skill above most others is the ability to write creatively and do so clearly as well as legibly.
From a Parent…
students who want to go to EVERY open house that this, too, shall pass. It is a grueling few weeks to get around to every center, but you can do it if that is what your child truly needs to figure it all out. Our family timed drives and talked about actually going to these locations daily for 4 years. Don’t forget extra-curriculars don’t have bus transportation!