MPS Transition Timelines

8th-9th

Move Up, Mesa!

Serving every student by strength and need as they move up to the next level of schooling.

7th

6th

Grade

Grade

July

November

June

September

May

August

October

January

December

6th graders visit junior high campus.

Orientation for all new students.

Exposure to clubs/ activities, club rush.

Junior high elective exposure.

Students

Orientation experience feedback survey.

Summer school and summer bridge program.

Registration information sent to families.

Open House

Orientation experience feedback survey.

Families

Family promotion event.

SpEd case manager feeder coordination.

Junior high counselor registration visit.

Staff

Feeder pattern staff collaborate to learn about students.

6th-7th

Move Up, Mesa!

Serving every student by strength and need as they move up to the next level of schooling.

9th

8th

Grade

Grade

July

November

June

September

May

August

October

January

December

Exposure to clubs/ activities, club rush.

High school graduation requirements.

8th graders visit high school campus.

Students

Freshman orientation/bootcamp.

Orientation experience feedback survey.

Course options and elective exposure.

Registration information sent to families.

Orientation experience feedback survey.

Open House/orientation for all new families.

Families

Family showcase event.

SpEd case manager feeder coordination.

Staff

Ensure course registration matches needs of students.

High school counselor registration visit.

8th-9th Grade Transition Purpose

The purpose of 8th to 9th grade school transition is to build community among junior high students, their new high school classmates, and their new campus. In addition, junior high students will become more familiar with the programming and traditions in order to generate excitement about learning in this new environment. Further, students will learn requirements for graduation and how their course grades translate to a transcript and their permanent high school record.

Additional Suggested Best-Practice Student Messaging

• High school students create social media welcome videos or YouTube videos to welcome the new set of students to campus.
• High school students write welcome notes to new students or become pen-pals with 8th grade classes.

Additional Suggested Best-Practice Course Planner

• In Naviance, 8th graders will update their course planner with suggested high school courses.
• This can happen before high school counselors visit and be revised after.
• Students can continue to work in Naviance as they shape their career and college goals.

Additional Suggested Best-Practice Family Orientation

• Junior high hosts a formal family orientation experience in July.
• At the orientation, the importance of grades, graduation, attendance, and other school expectations are emphasized.
• Make it engaging and interactive!

Additional Suggested Best-Practice Feeder Pattern Meetings

• Leadership and school counseling collaborate as a feeder pattern to ensure equity and quality in 8th-9th grade transition.
• Sites reach agreement on consistent practices and experiences for students from shared feeders.
• Consider planning these regularly as needed.

Additional Suggested Best-Practice Family Messaging

• Send information out to future families about attendance, grades, and school expectations.
• Start monthly messages to incoming families with timely information.

Additional Suggested Best-Practice Student Messaging

• Junior high students create social media welcome videos or YouTube videos to welcome the new set of students to campus.
• Junior high students write welcome notes to new students or become pen-pals with 6th grade classes.

Additional Suggested Best-Practice Student Visits

• Junior highs coordinate with feeder elementary schools to send junior high students to visit campuses.
• During the visit, junior high students share their experiences on the junior high campus.

6th-7th Grade Transition Purpose

The purpose of 6th to 7th grade school transition is to build community among elementary students, their new junior high classmates, and their new campus. In addition, elementary students will become more familiar with the programming and traditions in order to generate excitement about learning in this new environment.