Transitioning to Middle School

Starting middle school is a huge step. With it comes many new challenges. The 2020-2021 school year will be the inaugural year for middle school at River Oak Academy. We are excited to embark on this journey. As this school year ends, and summer begins, we have a lot to look forward to.

An interview with one of our heroes

One of our learners, Vincent, has take time to reflect on his journey in elementary school as well as his transition to middle school. What was most challenging about ES and how did you tackle that challenge?

- I would say a challenging part of ES was having a lot of leadership because it was something completely new to me. Not a lot of kids have the leadership that I have and at first it is super hard, but later on you really learn how to be a great leader.

What are you most looking forward to about middle school? Is there anything that makes you nervous about the transition?

- I am really looking forward to trying all the new challenges and new things I will learn, and I may not be saving the galaxy but, I can still make a difference.

What advice do you have for learners in ES as they are working towards MS?

- I would say that it is not easy to get that one big step done but if you just work towards that goal little by little, you can achieve your goal. Savor the journey and when it's over, think about it. Do you have any regrets, or would you want a redo? In the hero's journey there are no redos. There is only 1 shot, and make it your best.

Are you transitioning to middle school?

A Recipe for Academic Success

KNOWLEDGE + HAPPINESS = SUCCESS

1. Mentor: Seek out the people you admire and look up to. It could be a teacher or coach. It could be a friend of the family, someone at church, or another individual who is part of a group to which you belong. If you are working maybe there is someone around you such as a boss, manager, or supervisor who you look up to. Make a list of at least 10 people you think would make a great mentor. Contact these people over the next week . Explain how much you admire them and ask for a meeting. They will be thrilled!

2. Healthy Lifestyle: Take care of your physical and mental health. Maintain a positive attitude! You can achieve anything you want. School is a lot of work, but you are still allowed to have hobbies and do things that you really enjoy.

3. Organization: Time management is essential to success!Utilize a planner and carry it with you everywhere. Look at your planner at least twice a day, morning and evening. Use Sunday evenings to plan out your following week. Adjustments can be made throughout the week, but it is beneficial to you to plan out your week ahead of time. Also, if you don’t have one create a success binder. Label and utilize tabs, dividers, etc. Every Sunday go through your binder. No loose papers allowed!

4. Know Thyself: Know your learning style and and personality traits that make you unique. Utilize strategies pertaining to your learning style when studying, taking notes, etc. Understanding how you learn best and what strategies work for you will help you be successful. A Power Traits For Life Assessment helps young people and adults use their inborn strengths , talents, and skills to help them learn, identify a career or path of study, and get along better with the people around them. For more information click here.

5. Communication: Never be afraid to ask for help! Ask what you can do to be a better student. How can you achieve excellence? Think about who you can ask for help.

If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you." Fred DeVito