As school has started back up, University Academy has a lot of new faces. In Upper School, 101 students have transitioned from middle school to ninth grade, with 22 of them coming from outside schools.
With middle school being different from high school, adjusting is one of the biggest parts of the ninth grade transition. There are new teachers, a new grading system, midterms/finals, class wars, community service requirements and a different testing style. In high school there are also many responsibilities, and everything goes by quickly. There are also new activities to be involved in! The freshmen just finished up their first Homecoming, including Spirit Week, float building, the dance and more.
Adjusting to everything new can be difficult, and along with the new environment, there are lots of new people to get to know on top of that. However, there are many people such as Mr. George Jefferson, counselor; Mrs. Krista Horner, assistant principal; Mrs. Lashonette Kemp, principal; advisory teachers and even other staff members willing to give guidance and help whenever needed.
MarQuan Phillips-Rice is one of the freshmen transitioning to life in the Upper School. As he’s transitioning from middle school, he is starting to see what high school consists of and what to expect. In the process, he has set some expectations for himself. Phillips-Rice said he wants to have a GPA of 3.6 or higher throughout high school.
Starting freshman year, students’ grades are calculated into their cumulative GPA that is used during senior year when they apply to colleges, so it is important to stay on top of those grades early on.
Although it’s important to have good grades, being social is important, too. With the support of teachers and staff, some students are noticing their own growth as they embark on their high school years.
“I’m more social now and confident,” Phillips-Rice said. “I used to stay to myself and not participate in class discussions or activities, but now I am more outspoken.”
While changing grades can be difficult in itself, so can changing schools. The UA environment as a whole is, of course, different from other schools, and so are the students and staff. It can be challenging not knowing anyone or getting used to an entirely different school culture.
Marvayah Brown is one of the freshmen who just transferred to UA. She said she’s been both excited and nervous to transfer to a new school, and she has a sense of relief that she’s been able to find guidance and even friends.
This year, Mrs. Kemp, the Upper School principal, has implemented an “adopt-a-freshman” rule for upperclassmen, which consists of older students mentoring and guiding a freshman of their choice.
Change can be a scary thing, which is why upperclassmen have made it their duties to help freshmen with this transition.
Brown has found having a mentor quite helpful.
“I believe that having both a junior and senior mentor was extremely beneficial for me,” Brown said. “They provided guidance. This helped me prepare for high school as a freshman.”
Being able to see growth within students and for them to see the growth in themselves is important. Brown mentioned that she now has a positive mindset that has developed and grown significantly from middle school, and she’s excited for what this year will bring.
Brown has reflected on how she has matured since middle school. She said she has made significant growth and has learned life lessons along the way.
“Looking back on my middle school years, I feel like I have made a lot of improvements in a short amount of time,” Brown said. “My mindset used to be quite childish, and I used to think that I needed to express my opinion on everything or react to everything. Now I have realized that not everything needs to be said or reacted to.”
Brown has already gotten involved in extracurricular activities and is currently on the volleyball team. She also plans to wrestle this winter. She has been able to be open and build bonds with those around her as she’s growing.
Overall, being in high school gives students the opportunity to find themselves and make friends along the way. Students learn more about what they like, and this helps them plan their futures. Hopefully UA’s freshman class has a strong year ahead.
