At St. Margaret’s, the transition from Middle to Upper School is an important one, in which students gain increased opportunities and privileges and personal responsibilities as high school students poised for future success. This week, grade 8 students had the opportunity to step into the life of an Upper School student and experience for themselves the life of an upper classman and the new school that awaits them on the other side of campus.

Excited about the visit and eager to learn about high school study block, rigorous academics, Advanced Placement classes with college-level credits, off-campus lunches and an entirely new social atmosphere, grade 8 students entered the Tartan Center and were greeted by Upper School representatives.

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The differences between Middle School and Upper School became clear as grade 8 students heard from Grade 9 Dean Johnny Marmelstein, Upper School Principal David Boyle, All-School Community Service Coordinator Lora Allison, Director of Athletics Susie Maga and a host of Upper School students, some who have been here since preschool and others who joined St. Margaret’s in their middle and upper school years (about 30 new students are admitted each year to join the ninth grade).

Mr. Marmelstein, explained that increased privileges and freedoms such as off-campus lunches, tutorials and free time where attendance isn’t recorded come with increased responsibility. He explained that mutual trust is an important part of a student’s success in high school. Students are expected to fulfill their responsibilities, to be prepared and work hard, and that they are trusted by their teachers. If a student needs guidance and support, however, there are many people and networks, grade-level deans, advisors, counselors, teachers, who are here to provide help in the Upper School, he explained.

Mr. Boyle impressed upon students that in the Upper School environment—which is essentially a whole different school—“academic rigor” means that, although there are a wealth of clubs, athletics, performance and social opportunities, “most of your time in the Upper School will be spent in the classroom, dissecting, researching, translating . . . you are going to be well prepared for college.” Mr. Boyle’s assessment is very accurate: At St. Margaret’s, all Upper School graduates go to college, in a transition for which they are well prepared academically and socially by their St. Margaret’s high school education. In fact, 79 percent of St. Margaret’s graduates are accepted into a “Highly Competitive” college or university defined by Barron’s, publishers of the well-known guidebooks “Profiles of American Colleges” and “Guide to the Most Competitive Colleges.”

The students got answers to their questions about many aspects of the life of an Upper Schooler: advisory–yes, students work with one advisor through their four years in the Upper School, and that advisory is carefully selected by administrators to provide a good fit with each individual student, participation in athletics–82 percent of students play a sport, and the number of AP courses offered—24, among other questions.

Students also talked with a panel of current Upper School students with varied interests in arts, clubs and athletics. During the question-and-answer session, eighth grade students asked about the average class size–14, the atmosphere and attendance of dances–yes, they are fun and very well attended, and how many foreign languages one student can study at a time–two, but at St. Margaret’s it is challenging!

The panel was also able to debunk misconceptions that the Upper School is just an extension of the Middle School. The upper classmen assured them that, whether they had always attended St. Margaret’s or were new to the campus in Middle School, the Upper School is “a different world” from the other three divisions that comprise St. Margaret’s.

Student hosts guided their visiting middle schoolers to Convocation in the Pasternack Field House and then to three classes. Despite being pushed indoors by the heavy rain, at lunchtime, the students enjoyed the spirit of the Upper School campus community shooting hoops in the Field House, mingling with other students and sharing information about the classes they attended. A final wrap-up session allowed eighth graders to express what they enjoyed about the day: learning about the extracurricular activities and opportunities available, spending time with their student hosts and getting to know and learning from the Upper School teachers.

As Director of Admission and Financial Aid Ryan Dahlem explained, “While most St. Margaret’s eighth-graders matriculate to the Upper School, some investigate other high school options at this time of the year. This visit provides an opportunity to explore St. Margaret’s Upper School and make an informed decision.”

Ultimately, Mr. Dahlem expresses, “St. Margaret’s grade 8 students are prepared for success in Upper School, and we want them to stay.” The Upper School coaches feel the same way, and are excited about supporting them in the athletic opportunities offered by the Upper School, though CIF rules prohibit them from actively recruiting athletes.

Tags: Academics, Athletics, Middle School, Upper School