Transitioning from Middle School
The leap from middle school to high school can be both exciting and daunting. New faces, new challenges and a new environment can make the experience overwhelming.
McLain understands the unique needs of younger high schools and supports them every step of the way. That's where McLain’s RISE program comes into play.
Designed for ninth- and 10th-graders, the RISE program offers a nurturing and focused educational environment. Students struggling to accumulate credits in a traditional setting receive a tailored curriculum to help them catch up and succeed.
With a capped enrollment of just 54 students and an average class size of 15 in core academics, students benefit from individualized attention that's often missing in larger, more conventional programs.
The RISE program isn't just about academics, it's about preparing for life. With theme-based, interdisciplinary classes and a grading system designed to keep students engaged, they’ll find learning to be a more interactive and rewarding experience.
The program also includes frequent course-related field trips and integrates technology to develop 21st-century skills. Seminar (homeroom) focuses on community building and social-emotional learning, essential components for personal growth.
Starting high school is an exciting event in a student’s life and can also be a challenging time as well. By definition, transition means the change from one place, state of being, or condition to another place, state of being, or condition.
This transition means a whole new school building, new teachers, new classmates, and notably more challenging material along with enhanced postsecondary planning and graduation requirements. This transition affects adolescents’ academic experiences, motivation, self-perception, and self-regulation. This process also affects parents and teachers.
Effective transition programs help students move to a new school and become a part of the new school. With the implementation of transition programs and the support of parents, teachers, administrators, and mental health professionals, this transition can positively impact students both socially and academically.