Importance of Grades
The grades a student receives in middle school are also important. They are seen as an indicator by teachers and guidance counselors of the type of student a middle-schooler may be in high school and the rigor of classes they may be able to handle. Striving to get high grades in middle school develops good study, listening, and teamwork habits that will work to students’ advantage when they are in high school.
Guidance Counselors
Once middle school students reach eighth grade, it is important that they meet with a guidance counselor to select the appropriate classes for ninth grade. It’s critical that the student get enrolled in college preparatory courses, such as English, mathematics, and natural and social sciences, which are structured to help prepare students academically for college. If the middle-schooler is seen as a strong student, the guidance counselor may suggest taking honors level or Advanced Placement courses in high school. If the counselor does not suggest AP classes, ask about them. Colleges and universities want to see high school students taking the most challenging courses.
The middle school years represent a great opportunity for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students to put themselves on the right pathway to college. It gives them the chance to develop the skills that will carry them through high school, college, and beyond.
Chelsea L. Dixon, M.S., M.A.T. is founder and CEO of GamePhox Unlimited L.L.C.  A motivational speaker who has lectured at various high schools, colleges, professional youth sport foundations, and youth groups, Dixon is the author of Bridging the Gap: A Simple Guide to College. She earned a B.A. in sociology from Boston College, an M.A.T. in secondary education from Trenton State College (now the College of New Jersey) and an M.S. in sport management from the University of Massachusetts — Amherst. The proud New Jersey native is a member of the Ewing High School Athletic Hall of Fame and The Trenton Softball Hall of Fame. You can learn more about her at www.gamephox.com or www.bridgingthecollegegap.com.