Change is almost always difficult, especially when you’re a young teenager making the daunting transition from middle to high schools. As if being a teenager isn’t hard enough, graduating into a completely new school environment is often challenging and even intimidating at times.
Fortunately however, private high schools do their best to help both students and parents navigate this period of transition by providing constant support, guidance, and stability. There are so many advantages to attending private schools, and such as unparalleled academic support and guidance from freshmen to senior year and even beyond.
Despite the great deal support that private high schools provide, adjusting to a completely new school can still be tough. As much as this is true for students, it’s also true for their parents and guardians. Nevertheless, there are many ways in which parents can work together with private high schools to help their kids succeed and ace their first year. Here are a few:
Know and enforce the dress code
The majority of private high schools have strict rules and regulations when it comes to their uniform dress codes. These guidelines are enforced without hesitation by the school’s administration, including teachers and support staff. However dress code enforcement should start at the home, with parents being fully aware of school’s guidelines.
Many teenagers may try to bend the rules or push the boundaries of the dress code, and this behavior can be disruptive to other students. Or sometimes a student may make a simple, innocent mistake when it comes appropriate dress. It’s much to catch and correct these incidents at home rather than allow it to escalate at school. Parents that have a thorough understanding of uniform can guidelines can help their students focus on what really matters: their studies.
Encourage extracurricular activities
Whether it’s Key Club or the football team, extracurricular activities expose students to experiential education. This requires them to fully engage while sharpening their communication, social, and team-building skills among others. Extracurricular activities may help help students build self-confidence while encouraging self-discovery. The best schools offer a variety of extracurricular activities that cater to a number of student interests, from academic to athletic. Encouraging participation in extracurricular activities can help both students and parents get the most out of a private education.
Take advantage of technology
Technology integration in schools has completely revolutionized education and changed it for the better. In addition to computer labs, many private high schools even go as far as to provide their students with personal tablets for assignments and homework. It’s important for parents to become aware of these systems in order to communicate with teachers as needed, monitor their students’ progress, and stay in the loop in regards to school activity. Using this technology can help parents work together with teachers in order to better support their students.
There are several advantages to attending a private high school, and students who are supported by their family are in the best position possible to capitalize on these advantages. This is especially true for freshmen or new students. Parents who play an active role in their child’s education can help lay the groundwork for a successful future.
