The transition from middle school to high school can feel daunting. New teachers, new classmates, new expectations, and an unfamiliar building can make the first weeks overwhelming.
At Lincoln High School in Tacoma, rising 9th graders got a head start. This summer, Tacoma Public Schools used DiscoverWorks to create an experience specifically focused on students entering 9th grade. This focus gave students a chance to build relationships, confidence, and familiarity with high school before the first day arrived.
“You’re not just going in blind,” said Truth, a rising 9th grader. Students are not only becoming familiar with the building, but they are also meeting people they may see in their classes this fall.
Jay’Liah said knowing people already “kind of calms the nerves.”
Students walked the halls, learned the campus, met teachers, and connected with future classmates. They participated in science, computer science, writing, career exploration, JROTC, and other hands-on learning experiences. The days were structured much like school days, with students moving through different teachers and activities, giving them a chance to experience the rhythms of high school while the stakes were still low.
They also partnered with Parks Tacoma, where students worked on beautification projects at nearby Lincoln Park. They spread mulch, cared for the landscape, and helped improve a public space that was part of their new school community.
“I hope that students come back this fall with their heads held high and confident,” said Liz Portela, who helped oversee the program. “I want them to think, ‘I’ve walked these halls before. I’m not as nervous as I once was. I know the drill, and I’ve made friends’.’”
Upperclass students helped with that transition, too. Mentors supported incoming freshmen in their classrooms and encouraged them to connect with one another.
For rising 9th grader AJ, that means students enter high school with “people on your side” instead of feeling scared or worried.
Students left this summer with tangible accomplishments, including a half-credit in Career and Technical Education and a $500 stipend through Tacoma’s Jobs 253 partnership. But more so, students left with more confidence to return to the same halls this fall.