The transition from middle school to high school can feel like a big leap. New campuses, larger student populations, different schedules and higher expectations bring plenty of changes. But when TCS alumni returned to campus for our Oct. 21 “Looking Ahead to High School” event, they shared that their transitions were positive, and the foundation they built at The Children’s School continues to serve them well.
Now attending Midtown High School, Pace Academy, Woodward Academy, and Maynard Jackson High School, these alumni are finding their place in a variety of high school communities. Across their different experiences, a common theme emerged: TCS prepared them not only for the academic expectations of high school, but also for the independence, confidence and self-advocacy that help students make the most of new opportunities.
Ready for the Academic Challenge
For many students and families, one of the biggest questions about high school is whether they’ll be academically prepared. Our alumni were quick to put those concerns to rest.
Joaquin, now a freshman at Midtown High School, said his preparation in math and science helped him feel ready for high school coursework. He also credited his TCS teachers with teaching him effective note-taking strategies that continue to make a difference.
At Woodward Academy, Mariah found that the transition wasn’t nearly as difficult as she had expected. She pointed to the study habits she developed at TCS, including using a planner, keeping track of assignments and building consistent homework routines. As a student-athlete, those skills are especially important. Each Sunday, she sits down with her mom to map out the week ahead, balancing schoolwork with practices and games.
Vivienne, who also attends Pace Academy, shared a similar experience. The regular homework assignments at TCS helped her develop the time-management skills she needed to balance academics and athletics. She expected to spend long evenings struggling to keep up with high school coursework, but found herself better prepared than she anticipated.
For Silas, now at Maynard Jackson High School, TCS’s emphasis on project-based learning has made a lasting impact. The experience of breaking large projects into manageable steps, researching, reading and annotating, and collaborating with classmates prepared him for the demands of high school assignments. He is continues drawing on those skills in his school’s International Baccalaureate program, where project-based learning plays an important role.
These experiences reflect the value of TCS’s approach to learning. Students don’t simply build subject-area knowledge. They develop the habits, strategies and confidence to approach unfamiliar challenges, manage their responsibilities and take ownership of their learning.
Finding Their Voices and Advocating for Themselves
Academic readiness is only part of a successful high school transition. Knowing how to ask questions, seek help and speak up for yourself can make just as much of a difference.
Jordan, a sophomore at Benjamin E. Mays High School, learned early that building relationships with teachers is an important part of being a successful student. During freshman year, when she found herself having some difficulty in math, she approached her teacher for extra help. That willingness to ask questions, she said, is something she learned at TCS.
She also uses those skills to pursue opportunities, whether that means joining a club, requesting a schedule change or finding the right person to help her reach a goal. As she explained, making an effort to get to know teachers helps them understand you not just as a student, but as a person.
Joaquin also credits TCS with helping him find his voice. Through assemblies, meetings and the opportunities he had as an eighth grader, he learned the importance of advocating for himself, whether navigating a disagreement with a friend or working through a challenge with a teacher.
Silas has carried that confidence into the classroom, too. He isn’t afraid to share what’s on his mind, ask questions or respectfully explain his thinking when he disagrees with a teacher. He sees those skills as an important part of making friends and building relationships in high school.
At TCS, students have opportunities to practice self-advocacy and develop the confidence to speak up for themselves. It’s a foundation that continues to serve them long after they leave our campus.
Building Community and Finding Their Place
High schools across Atlanta offer different experiences, from large public school campuses to smaller independent school communities. Our alumni have found ways to connect, build friendships and feel at home in each of them.
Several students mentioned the BCC traits (Building Character and Community) as lessons they continue to use. Respect, empathy, responsibility and flexibility help students navigate new relationships and respond to changing situations.
Vivienne said the BCC traits helped her connect with people in her new community at Pace Academy. Mariah emphasized the importance of treating everyone with respect, while Joaquin pointed to flexibility as especially useful when unexpected changes arise in a high school schedule.
Silas and Joaquin also reflected on how much they appreciate the close-knit community they experienced at TCS. Moving from a school where students and teachers know one another well to high schools with populations of 1,500 or more has given them a new appreciation for those relationships.
For Mariah, the friendships she made at TCS remain one of the school’s biggest gifts. She still talks with her TCS friends and continues to spend time with them outside of school.
A Foundation That Lasts
When asked what advice they would give current eighth graders who feel nervous about high school, the alumni encouraged them to take a breath, get involved and give themselves time to adjust. High school may seem like a big unknown, but they found that the transition was more manageable than they had imagined.
Their stories are a reminder that preparing students for high school means more than getting them ready for the next set of classes. It means helping them become capable, curious learners who can manage their time, work with others, ask for help, advocate for themselves and approach new experiences with confidence.
We’re proud to see our alumni thriving at schools across Atlanta, and even prouder that the lessons they learned at TCS continue to shape the way they learn, lead and build community.
